Fumitory: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Scientific name(s)
Fumaria officinalis
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Protopines
Malic acid
Citric acid
Phenolic acids
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Biliary disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
In well-structured clinical studies, fumitory has demonstrated notable efficacy in the treatment of various biliary disorders. In a double-blind crossover study, 30 patients presenting with biliary dyskinesias and other biliary disorders were treated with an aqueous extract of fumitory. The results showed a significant reduction in symptoms such as abdominal pain, flatulence and nausea, with improvement persisting even after switching to a placebo. Furthermore, daily treatment of 105 patients with various biliary disorders with an aqueous extract of fumitory for 2 weeks to 6 months led to substantial improvement or even complete disappearance of symptoms in more than 80% of patients.
Posologie
Oral: aerial parts
4 - 6 g
aqueous extract
Digestive disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
Fumitory is recommended to relieve various digestive disorders such as stomach aches, nausea, vomiting, a feeling of fullness and flatulence, particularly when they are related to hepatobiliary disturbances.
Posologie
Oral: aerial parts
4 - 6 g
aqueous extract
Eczema, Psoriasis ✪✪✪✪✪
Fumitory is used to treat inflammatory skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis, mainly through a depurative action. The cream containing fumitory and silymarin was evaluated for its efficacy against eczema in a randomized double-blind clinical trial. Forty patients with mild to moderate eczema were treated either with the herbal cream or with a 0.1% mometasone cream. After two weeks, a significant reduction in SCORAD scores (Scoring Atopic Dermatitis, is an assessment method used to measure the severity of atopic dermatitis) was observed in both groups, demonstrating the effectiveness of the herbal cream in reducing eczema symptoms, comparable to that of mometasone.
Posologie
Topical or oral use: aerial parts
4 - 6 g
aqueous extract, cream
Properties
Digestive effect
Fumitory significantly improves hepatobiliary disorders thanks to its properties that promote the secretion and excretion of bile. The plant's flavonoids, phenolic acids, and potassium salts may be responsible for this effect. It helps relieve biliary dyskinesia, reducing symptoms up to their complete disappearance. Furthermore, it contributes to the regression of hepatic disorders and to the reduction of bilirubin levels. Fumitory is also used to prevent lithiasis by modifying bile production and to reduce headaches associated with digestive disorders.
Usages associés
Choleretic
Fumitory significantly modifies bile production depending on each individual's initial flow. For those with low flow, it increases bile flow (choleresis), while for those with high flow, it reduces it. For medium flows, the impact remains minor and not significant. This regulatory action helps optimize biliary function.
Usages associés
Antispasmodic
Fumitory is known for its antispasmodic effects, particularly on the digestive system. It acts by relaxing the smooth muscles of the bile duct and the upper gastrointestinal tract, including the sphincter of Oddi, which helps relieve intestinal spasms. These properties make it useful in treating digestive disorders related to spasms, thereby improving digestive comfort. Its action is also noted on pulmonary and uterine smooth muscles.
Dermatological effect
Fumitory has been traditionally used in many countries to treat skin disorders such as dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. Its dermatological action is thought to be due to fumaric acid, present in the aerial parts of the plant. Fumitory also has an antihistaminic action due to the presence of protopine, a major alkaloid of the Fumariaceae family. In addition, it has anti-infective, notably bactericidal, activity thanks to the presence of allocryptopine, sanguinarine, chelidonine and berberine.
Usages associés
Sedative
The main alkaloid of fumitory, protopine, has antihistaminic, hypotensive, bradycardic and sedative activity in small doses, but can cause excitation and convulsions at high doses.
Safe dosage
Adult: 4 mg - 6 mg (infusion)
Daily dose for adults: 4-6 g of the drug in the form of a dry aqueous extract or as an infusion. Fumitory can be dangerous when taken orally in large amounts due to the presence of the alkaloid protopine, which can cause convulsions and death.
Contraindications
Pregnant women: contraindicated
Breastfeeding women: contraindicated
