Fumitory Extract

FUMITORY (Fumaria officinalis L)

Description

Herbaceous annual plant, up to 60 cm high with branched, erect and glabrous bluish-green stems. Leaves are alternate and petiolate, 2 to 3 times pinnately compound with their last divisions almost linear. Inflorescence in multiflower terminal racemes (apparently lateral). Small zygomorphic flowers, 7-9 mm long. Calyx is formed by two small whitish sepals, oval-shaped with toothed edges, narrower than the corolla. Corolla is formed by four free petals (connected to the apex but not fused), elongated. The upper one is extended with a wide protuberance where the nectary is. Androcium is formed by two stamens divided by three anthers. Central ones have two thecas, while the side ones have only one theca each (actually androceum is deadelphous: 6 staments fused in 2 groups). Bicarpelar gyneceum, with an upper ovary that fructificate in a small suborbicular achenium with truncated or marginated apex. It belongs to the Fumariaceae or Papaveraceae family.

It’s indigenous of Europe and Asia. It grows in nitrificated places and abandoned cultivations with fresh soil and roadsides. It blooms in early spring and the bloomed plant is harvested at the beginning of blooming (between April and June).

Part used
Flower apex.

Indications
Internal use
> Biliary dyskinesia, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, cirrhosis, eases the symptoms related to liver disorders (weakness, lack of appetite, headaches, nausea, vomit).
> Hepato-biliary originated headaches.
> Bronchial asthma.
> Skin disorders: dermatosis, eczemas, psoriasis, skin exanthemas.
> Hyperlipidemias, arteriosclerosis prevention.
> Tachycardia and hypertension.
> Thromboembolisms and hyperglobulia prevention.
> Diarrhea.

External use
> Skin disorders: dermatitis, dandruff and seborrhea, psoriasis (fumaric acid).
> Conjunctivitis.