Fumaria: properties, uses and contraindications

The fumitory (Fumaria officinalis) is an abundant plant in fields and crops that has been traditionally used as digestive and liver cleansing remedy for its digestive, cleansing and hepatoprotective properties.

The fumiaries are plants related to poppies, which grow spontaneously on the margins of crops, paths, meadows and open fields. They are known by other popular names such as moths, tears or blood of Christlittle shirt of the baby Jesus, shoes of the virgin or gypsy girls, all of it for the shape and blood-toned coloration of its hanging flowers, that makes the imagination of those who admire them wander.

The word “fumitory” can come from smoke pro fumus in Latin, for appearance of a smoke screen offered by its leaves seen from a distance, or perhaps because of the color and smell of smoke emanating from its roots. The truth is that, in Europe, we have around fifteen species of this genus, the white fumitory (Fumaria capreolata) and the officinal smokehouse (Fumaria officinalis) the most common, although the latter is the only one explored for its properties and curative potential.

The fumitory (Fumaria officinalis L.) is a modest herb, of barely 2 spans tallsomewhat diffuse and fragile, with the leaves divided into more or less triangular segments, bluish-green or greyish in color, and small, tube-shaped flowersinflated at its base, vinous pink, with a purple spot at the tip. The fruit is a hard capsule, which contains a seed inside.

Blooms from March, some years even as early as February and flowering lasts all spring. It is common throughout Europe including the Iberian Peninsula.

Properties of the fumitory

Fumaria contains fumaric acid, phenolic acids such as chlorogenic, caffeic, ferulic and ferrulinic acids, traces of alkaloids (fumarin, fumarilin, coidalin, protopin), flavonoids (rutin, kenferol), phytosterols (sitosterol, stigmasterol), tannins, mucilages and salts. potassium.

Partly thanks to this composition are attributed cleansing properties, hepatoprotectivecholeretic, cholagogue, digestive, slightly laxativediuretics, antimigraineantiarrhythmic, cardiotonic, antibacterial and antispasmodic.

What is the fumitory for?

For all these properties, fumitory has benefits for the liver and gallbladder, against migraine, for digestion, as a purifier and for the heart.

Benefits for the liver and gallbladder

Fumitory, due to its cleansing and hepatoprotective properties, cannot be missing from any selection of plants suitable for liver care.

It has been used and continues to be recommended in herbal remedies to treat liver disorders, with benefits in cases of liver inflammation, mild liver failure, fatty liver, mild poisoning or food allergies, detoxification due to alcoholism and possible damage caused to the liver by certain medications.

Provides a toning and restorative effect on liver tissueenhancing its drainage functions.

Fumitory is also used to naturally treat the presence of gallstones and prevent their appearance.

Benefits against migraine

The fumitory is also one of the plants recommended by herbalists to appease migraine outbreaks and other painful headaches. It is especially beneficial for migraines and headaches associated with liver disorders, indigestion or poor digestion, but it is also useful against migraines associated with hypertension or menstrual disorders or menopause.

Benefits as a digestive plant

Fumitory is incorporated into digestive formulas and laxatives to promote good digestion, to combat gastrointestinal spasms and to regulate intestinal transit. In this case it is usually included in mixed formulas with other herbs with which it is complemented.

Benefits as a natural cleanser

The main traditional use of fumitory is as a natural cleanser, in spring cures, to facilitate the elimination of toxins with urineto strengthen the functions of the livers and kidneys, to increase the emission of urine, to combat fluid retention and edema and to prevent inflammations in the urinary tract.

As a depurative, it is also intended for promote the elimination of impurities in the skin or to prevent its appearance, such as dermatitis, eczema, boils, ichthyosis, pimples, skin ulcers, skin spots, etc., through oral and topical remedies.

Heart Benefits

The fumitory is attributed a slight antiarrhythmic actionIt is revealed as a good natural aid to treat nervous arrhythmias, high spikes in blood pressure, with extrasystoles, and as a preventive remedy against coronary accidents, such as arteriosclerosis, although it may be better to opt for other herbs for these cases.

It is also included in formulas to try to lower high levels of LDL cholesterol, in combination with a proper diet.

How is fumitory taken?

Fumitory can be taken in different ways:

In form of juice of the fresh plant as a digestive and depurative. More frequent is to take the dried plant in the form of infusiontwo or three cups daily. In herbalists and some pharmacies you will find fumarias in the form of liquid extract, tincture and capsulesassociated with other herbs. The fumitory infusion is applied externally in wound washings, to favor the elimination of impurities such as eczema, pimples, boils, etc

fumitory infusion

We can prepare fumitory infusion by combining it with other related plants depending on the benefit that we want to enhance. These are some examples of fumitory herbal formulas.

Liver protective herbal tea

This fumitory herbal tea is used to repair liver damage due to excessive alcohol intake, food poisoning, allergy, inflammation or moderate or mild liver failure.

Ingredients: Fumaria, milk thistle, boldo, turmeric, chicory and mint. A tablespoon of the mixture in equal parts per glass of water.Preparation: Boil for 2 minutes and leave to rest for another 10, covered. Add lemon juice or syrup to disguise the slightly bitter taste of the formula.How much to take: Two cups a day, in the morning, with breakfast and in the afternoon, as an option.

purifying herbal tea

This purifying fumitory tea allows enhance the filtering capacity of the liverto take in case of food poisoning, intoxication, indigestion or loss of appetite, and for treat gallstones or to prevent their occurrence.

Ingredients: Fumaria, boldo, agrimony, dandelion, barberry and mint. 20g per plant. Separate 5 g of the mixture in equal parts for each cup of water.Preparation: Boil for 2 minutes, let stand for 10 more and strain. How much to take: To consume after a copious or heavy meal or after an episode of intoxication or intoxication.

Tisane for migraine

Another fumitory infusion to relieve migraines and other headaches associated with liver disorders, heavy digestion, nervous conditions, etc.

Ingredients: Fumaria, hops, betony, boldo, lemon verbena and mint. In equal parts, for example 15 g per plant.

Preparation: Separate a tablespoon of the mixture per cup of water. Place the herbs in a teapot or saucepan and pour the freshly boiled water over them. Let it infuse for about 10 minutes and strain. A flavor corrector may or may not be added, to taste.

How much to take: Up to three glasses a day, before or after meals.

fumitory contraindications

Due to the high presence of alkaloids, fumitory should be taken in weighted doses and in brief, discontinuous and controlled treatments.

Should not be administered to women pregnant and lactatingnor to children under 6 years.

It is always a good idea to consult your doctor before starting any treatment with medicinal plants, but before starting a treatment with fumitory it is especially important to do so in case of arterial hypertension, chronic arrhythmias and heart failure​​​​​​ .

By Jordi Cebrián, expert in phytotherapy