Medicinal Plants : Fumaria officinalis

Name

Fumitory

Biological Name

Fumaria officinalis
Fumariaceae

Other Names

Fumitory, Earthsmoke

Parts Used

Aerial parts

Active Compounds

Isoquinoline alkaloids, including bulbocapnine, canadine, coptisine, corydaline, dicentrine, cryptopine, fumaricine, fumariline, fumaritine, N-methylhydrastine, protopine, sanguinarine, sinactine.

Remedies For

Diuretic, laxative, alterative, hepatic.

Fumitory has long been used in the treatment of skin problems such as eczema and acne. Its action is probably due to a general cleansing mediated via the kidneys and liver. Fumitory may also be used as an eyewash to ease conjunctivitis.

Combinations : Fumitory are often combined with Burdock, Cleavers or Figwort.

Description

Common in Europe and the British Isles, especially in cultivated fields.

Dosage

Infusion: Pour a cup of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and let infuse for 10-15 minutes. This may be drunk freely, but for skin problems it should be drunk at least three times daily.

Tincture: take 1-2ml of the tincture three times a day.

Safety

No information available.