Fumaria

Related Terms

Bastard's fumitory, common fumitory, Cornish fumitory, dense-flowered fumitory, drug fumitory, earth smoke, few-flowered fumitory, fineleaf fumitory, flor de pajarito (Spanish), fumaria, Fumaria asepala, Fumaria bastardii, Fumaria bella, Fumaria capreolata, Fumaria cilicica, Fumaria densiflora, Fumaria flabellata, Fumaria hygrometrica, Fumaria indica, Fumaria judaica, Fumaria kralikii, Fumaria macrocarpa, Fumaria martinii, Fumaria muralis, Fumaria occidentalis, Fumaria officinalis, Fumaria parviflora, Fumaria petteri, Fumaria purpurea, Fumaria reuteri, Fumaria schleicheri, Fumaria vaillantii, Fumariaceae, fumariline, fumeterre, fuyuziphine, Martin's fumitory, Oddibil?, Papaveraceae, protopine, purple ramping fumitory, sanguinarine, shahterah, tall ramping fumitory, wall fumitory, western fumitory, white ramping fumitory.

Background

Fumaria, also called fumitory, is an annual flowering plant native to parts of Europe and Asia. There are about 50 different species of fumaria, and Fumaria officinalis is the most common variety.
The plant contains compounds called alkaloids, which are believed to treat muscle spasms and skin disease. Oddibil?, an Austrian drug made from fumaria, is marketed as a treatment for gallbladder disease.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


An Austrian preparation of Fumaria, called Oddibil?, has been used to treat symptoms of cholecystopathy (gallbladder disease). Further research is required before conclusions can be made.

 C


An Austrian preparation of Fumaria, called Oddibil?, has been used to treat symptoms of cholecystopathy (gallbladder disease). Further research is required before conclusions can be made.

 C


Preliminary research has investigated the potential benefits of Fumaria officinalis in treating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, including abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. More studies are needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Preliminary research has investigated the potential benefits of Fumaria officinalis in treating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, including abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. More studies are needed before conclusions can be made.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
Fumaria has been given in the form of a syrup, powder, decoction, extract, cataplasm, distilled water, and tincture.
To treat muscle spasms associated with stomach and intestinal disorders, 250-milligram capsules of Oddibil? have been taken by mouth.
To treat skin problems, a 1:5 tincture of fumaria in 25% alcohol has been taken by mouth in doses of 1-2 milliliters three times daily. Doses of 1-4 milliliters of a 1:5 liquid extract of fumaria in a 45% alcohol solution have been taken by mouth. Various topical preparations containing fumaria have been applied to the skin.
To treat irritable bowel syndrome, 1,500 milligrams of fumaria has been taken daily in three divided doses for 18 weeks.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Fumaria may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Fumaria may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some drugs. Examples include benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan?) or diazepam (Valium?), barbiturates such as phenobarbital, narcotics such as codeine, some antidepressants, and alcohol. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery.
Fumaria may also interact with acne medication, agents that may treat muscle spasms, anticancer agents, antifungal agents, anti-inflammatory agents, antiparasitics, antipyretics (agents that may reduce fever), antiviral agents, central nervous system (CNS) depressants, cholinesterase inhibitors, and heart health agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Bhatti M. Isolation and structural studies on the chemical constituents of fumaria indica and related medicinal plants. 1998.
Blasko G, Hussain SF, and Shamma M. Corlumine, a new phthalideisoquinoline alkaloid from Fumaria parviflora. Journal of Natural Products 1981;44:475-477.
Colton MD, Guinaudeau H, Shamma M, et al. (\-/)-Norfumaritine: a new spirobenzylisoquinoline alkaloid from Fumaria kralikii. Journal of Natural Products 1985;48:846-847.
Dasgupta B, Seth KK, Pandey VB, et al. Alkaloids of Fumaria indica: Further Studies on Narceimine and Narlumidine. Planta Med 1984;50(6):481-485.
Forgacs P. Presence of rhoeagenine in Fumaria parviflora. Journal of Natural Products 1985;48:1000-1001.
Kumar A, Pandey VB, Seth KK, et al. Pharmacological actions of fumariline isolated from Fumaria indica seeds. Planta Med 1986;(4):324-325.
Pandey MB, Singh AK, Singh JP, et al. Fuyuziphine, a new alkaloid from Fumaria indica. Nat.Prod.Res. 4-15-2008;22(6):533-536.
Popova ME, Simanek V, Dolejs L, et al. Alkaloids from Fumaria parviflora and F. kralikii*. Planta Med 1982;45(6):120-122.
Popova ME, Simanek V, Novak J, et al. Alkaloids of Fumaria densiflora*. Planta Med 1983;48(8):272-274.
Sener B. Densiflorine, a new alkaloid from Fumaria densiflora DC. Int.J.Crude Drug Res 1984;22:79-80.
Sener B. Turkish species of Fumaria L. and their alkaloids. Part 8. Alkaloids of Fumaria macrocarpa Parlatore. Int.J.Crude Drug Res. 1986;22:185-187.
Sturm S, Strasser EM, and Stuppner H. Quantification of Fumaria officinalis isoquinoline alkaloids by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ion trap mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr.A 4-21-2006;1112(1-2):331-338.
Suau R, Cabezudo B, Rico R, et al. Direct determination of alkaloid contents in Fumaria species by GC-MS. Phytochem.Anal. 2002;13(6):363-367.
Valka I, Walterova D, Popova ME, et al. Separation and Quantification of Some Alkaloids from Fumaria parviflora by Capillary Isotachophoresis1. Planta Med 1985;51(4):319-322.
Wynne PM, Vine JH, and Amiet RG. Protopine alkaloids in horse urine. J Chromatogr.B Analyt.Technol.Biomed.Life Sci 11-5-2004;811(1):85-91.