Fumaria is a medicinal plant of the species Fumaria officinalisindicated to help with various digestive problems, such as constipation, poor digestion, nausea or intestinal cramps, but can also help in the treatment of skin diseases, such as psoriasis or eczema.
This is because this plant, also known as yerba-moleirinha, yerba-pombinha and tobacco-of-the-earth, is rich in alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, mucilage and steroids, with purifying, anti-inflammatory and laxative properties.
Fumaria can be found in health food stores and in some compounding pharmacies, and the entire plant can be used to prepare tea or fluid extract, and should be used with medical or herbalist advice.
What is it for
Smoking has several health benefits, and is typically recommended for:
- Indigestion;
- Constipation;
- Feeling of heavy stomach;
- Nausea;
- Gallstones;
- Intestinal cramps;
- High pressure;
- Psoriasis;
- Eczema;
- Urticaria;
- Human scabies.
Fumaria is rich in fumaric and caffeic acids, mucilage, isoquinoline alkaloids, such as protopine, fumarin and kryptonine, flavonoids and steroids which are the active substances responsible for its anti-inflammatory properties, regulator of bile secretion, skin regenerator, diuretics, laxatives , antispasmodic and antibacterial.
Although it has health benefits, smoking does not replace medical treatment and should be used with the guidance of a doctor or herbalist.
How to use
The generally used parts of the tobacco are the stem, leaves and flowers, which can be used to prepare tea, fluid extract or tincture.
1. Smoke tea
Fumaria tea can be used for poor digestion, constipation, regulating bile secretion, helping to expel small gallstones, or high blood pressure, for example.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of dried and chopped smoked smoke;
- 1 cup of water.
Preparation mode
Place the water in a pan, when it boils, remove it from the heat and add the smoked meat. Cover and let rest for about 10 minutes. Then strain and drink warm, 1 to 3 cups per day.
Due to the bitter taste of smoked tea, mixing it with fruit juice can be an alternative, mixing a cup of cold smoked tea with apple juice, for example.
Fumaria tea can also be used to apply compresses to the skin, soaking gauze in the tea and applying it to the area of skin affected by psoriasis or eczema, 2 to 3 times a day.
To enhance its anti-inflammatory effect on the skin, you can add ½ teaspoon of calendula flowers to smoked tea. Check out the benefits of calendula for the skin.
2. Fumaria fluid extract
Fumaria fluid extract can be used to stimulate the gallbladder or for skin problems.
Ingredients
- 1 mL of fluid smoke extract;
- Water.
Preparation mode
Add the fluid extract of Fumaria to a little water, and drink it up to 3 times a day.
Possible side effects
The maximum daily consumption of tobacco should be 3 cups of tea per day, as excessive use can cause vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain.
Furthermore, the use of tobacco in doses greater than those recommended or for more than 18 weeks of use, can cause intoxication and serious side effects, such as tremors, paralysis of muscles and breathing, drowsiness or convulsions, which can put the life at risk.
Who shouldn’t use
The smokehouse should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or by people who have glaucoma and are allergic to this plant.
Furthermore, the use of tobacco is not recommended for people who use medication for high blood pressure or heart problems, as it can greatly lower blood pressure.
Fumaria fluid extract, as it contains alcohol in its composition, is contraindicated for people undergoing treatment for alcoholism or who use disulfiram.
Bibliography
- MOURA, M. F. Secrets and virtues of healing plants. 1.ed. Lisbon: Seleções, 2011. 90.
- IBURG, A. The guide to medicinal plants: ingredients, medicinal effects and applications. 1.ed. Caracter, 2010. 118-199.
- IRAJI, F.; et al. Effect of herbal cream containing Fumaria officinalis and silymarin for treatment of eczema: A randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial. Avicenna J Phytomed. 12. 2; 155-162, 2022
- RAAFAT, KM; et al. Niosomes of active Fumaria officinalis phytochemicals: antidiabetic, antineuropathic, anti-inflammatory, and possible mechanisms of action. Chin Med. 15. 40, 2020
- ZHANG, R.; et al. Diverse alkaloids and biological activities of Fumaria (Papaveraceae): An ethnomedicinal group. Phytotherapy. 146. 104697, 2020
- GRANDI, TSM Treaty of Minas Gerais, Native and Cultivated Medicinal Plants. 1ed. Belo Horizonte/MG: Adaequatio Estudio, 2014. 620-622.
