Fumitory
OTHER NAME(S): Beggary, Earth Smoke, Fleur de Terre, Fumée de Terre, Fumeterre Officinale, Fumiterry, Fumus, Hedge Fumitory, Herba Fumariae, Herbe à la Jaunisse, Herbe à la Veuve, Vapor, Wax Dolls, Fumaria officinalis, Fumaria, Fumeterre
Overview
Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis) is a low shrub with gray pointed leaves that is native to the Mediterranean. The plant can look like smoke from afar.
The above ground parts of fumitory contain chemicals that might reduce spasms in the stomach. It might also have antibacterial effects.
People use fumitory for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), eczema, breast cancer-related hot flashes, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Uses
Possibly Ineffective for
- A long-term disorder of the large intestines that causes stomach pain (irritable bowel syndrome or IBS). Taking fumitory by mouth for 18 weeks doesn't seem to improve symptoms of IBS.
There is interest in using fumitory for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Fumitory extract is possibly safe when used in doses up to 500 mg three times daily for up to 18 weeks. But using large amounts of fumitory is possibly unsafe. It contains chemicals that might cause serious side effects in high doses, including trembling, convulsions, and death.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Fumitory extract is possibly safe when used in doses up to 500 mg three times daily for up to 18 weeks. But using large amounts of fumitory is possibly unsafe. It contains chemicals that might cause serious side effects in high doses, including trembling, convulsions, and death.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if fumitory is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Fumitory overview.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of fumitory might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
References
- Monographs on the medicinal uses of plant drugs. Exeter, UK: European Scientific Co-op Phytother, 1997.
- Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
- Tyler VE. Herbs of Choice. Binghamton, NY: Pharmaceutical Products Press, 1994.
- Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
- The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Brinkhaus B, Hentschel C, Von Keudell C, et al. Herbal medicine with curcuma and fumitory in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Scand J Gastroenterol 2005;40:936-43.
- Wynne, P. M., Vine, J. H., and Amiet, R. G. Protopine alkaloids in horse urine. J Chromatogr.B Analyt.Technol.Biomed.Life Sci 11-5-2004;811(1):85-91.
- Hahn, R. and Nahrstedt, A. High Content of Hydroxycinnamic Acids Esterified with (+)-D-Malic Acid in the Upper Parts of Fumaria officinalis1. Planta Med 1993;59(2):189-190.
- Zacharewicz, M., Chorazy, W., Mossor, S., and Zacharewicz, M., Jr. [Treatment of cholecystopathies by Fumaria nebulisate]. Wien.Med Wochenschr. 4-30-1979;129(8):221-224.
- Hermansson, J. and Sanberg, F. Alkaloids of Fumaria officinalis. Pharm.Suec. 1973;10:520-522.
- Khosropanah A, Mehri Ardestani M, Rostami N, et al. Effects of Chicory and Fumitory on Hot Flashes Among Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Integr Complement Med 2023;29(1):31-41.
- Iraji F, Sharif Makhmalzadeh B, Abedini M, Aghaei A, Siahpoush A. Effect of herbal cream containing Fumaria officinalis and silymarin for treatment of eczema: A randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial. Avicenna J Phytomed 2022;12(2):155-162.