Fumitory (Pittapapada (Parpata, Kaleyaka))
Fumitory is an herb traditionally used in Ayurveda and Western herbalism for liver support, skin conditions, and digestive issues. Modern research validates its benefits in biliary disorders and inflammatory skin conditions.
Botanical name: Fumaria officinalis. Also known as: Fumitory, Common Fumitory, Drug Fumitory, Earth Smoke, Fumewort, Parpata (Ayurveda), Shaahtara (Unani), Celine's foot, Earth gall, Jaundice grass, Widow's grass, Beggary, Fume-of-the-earth, Fumiterre, Fumusterre, God's fingers and thumbs, Snapdragon, Wax dolls, Kapnochorto (Greek).
Properties
Smooth muscle relaxation in the biliary tract, Anti-inflammatory effects, Spasmolytic activity, Hepatoprotective properties
Dosage
Dried Herb Tea: 2–4 g of dried aerial parts, steeped in 200 ml hot water for 10 minutes, 2–3 times daily before meals. Liquid Extract/Tincture: 1 ml (approximately 20–30 drops) in water, 2–3 times daily. Standardized Powder/Capsule: 100–250 mg alkaloid standardized extract, once or twice daily. Mother Tincture: 30 drops, 3 times a day, fasting, for 2 weeks a month, for only 3 consecutive months. Alternatively, 50-70 drops in the morning, noon, and night on an empty stomach. Homeopathic: Take 5 pellets, 3 times per day. Adult Daily Dose: 4-6 g of the drug in the form of a dry aqueous extract or as an infusion.
Classical attributes
- Rasa: Bitter
- Virya: ["Cooling"]
- Vipaka: ["Pungent"]
Benefits
- Deepana (appetizer)
- Pachana (digestive)
- Raktashodhaka (blood purifier)
- Pittasaraka (cholagogue)
- Vranaropana (wound healing)
Traditional uses
- Skin diseases (Kushtha)
- Fever (Jwara)
- Thirst (Trishna)
- Blood disorders (Raktavikara)
- Vertigo (Bhrama)
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
Dosha effects
- vata: balancing
- kapha: decreasing
- pitta: balancing
Preparation methods
- Tea: Steep dried herb in hot water. Use 2–4 g dried herb in 200 ml hot water for 10 minutes, strain, drink 2–3 times daily before meals.
- Tincture: The herbal tinctures are made by dipping a herb in an alcoholic solution for a period of 4-6 weeks.
- Poultice: Crushing the fresh plant and applying it as a poultice for external purposes.
- Juice (Succus): Juicing Fumitory to make succus and wash the affected area or make a poultice with the juice for skin conditions.
- Infusion: Can be made and used as a wash or fomentation.
- Cream: Fumaria officinalis can be purchased from reputable sources. After confirmation by a pharmacognosist, plants were powdered. Extraction was done using maceration method with ethanol 70 for 48 hr at room temperature following filtration. The freeze-drying method was used to remove the solvent and give a bulk dry powder.
- Salve/Ointment: Fumaria officinalis–infused ointments can be used for mild psoriasis and eczema.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Avoid use due to insufficient safety data and the presence of isoquinoline alkaloids.
- Biliary Issues: Not recommended in cases of obstruction of the bile duct, cholangitis, liver disease, gallstones, or any other biliary disease, as it may stimulate bile secretion. Use with caution if you have gallstones, as its cholagogue effects may trigger pain; consult a healthcare professional first.
- Kidney Impairment: Monitor fluid balance due to its mild diuretic effect.
- Cardiovascular Disease: Use with caution, especially if taking heart medications or drugs for blood circulation. Some authors warn that fumitory can increase hypertension in some cases.
- Respiratory Diseases: Use with caution as high doses can cause difficulty breathing.
- Epilepsy: The FDA advises against its use in people with epilepsy due to its depressive effects on the central nervous system.
- Glaucoma: Contraindicated in people with glaucoma due to its effects on blood pressure.
- Children: The use in children under 12 or adolescents under 18 years of age is not recommended.
- Surgery: Discontinue use at least 2 weeks before elective surgery.
- Long-term Use: Fumitory treatments should not last more than 10-15 days, with rest periods of 10 to 15 days. Traditional use favors short courses (4–6 weeks) with breaks, minimizing tolerance or potential side effects.
- Known Adverse Reactions: Orally, adverse reactions to fumitory are not common; however, large quantities of alkaloids in other members of this family (Fumariaceae) have caused trembling, convulsions, and death.
Side effects
- Mild GI upset (nausea or diarrhea) may occur if taken in very high doses.
- Allergic reactions are rare, but watch for rash or itching.
- May lower blood pressure.
- High doses can cause diarrhea or headache.
- May cause sedation, nervousness, hypotension, or seizures in excessive doses.
- In one clinical study, adverse effects occurred in up to 69% of patients, with GI complaints (56%) and flushing (31%) being the most common symptoms.
- May cause constipation, distension, nausea, epigastric pain, pruritus, and loss of hair.
Interactions
- The alkaloids in Fumaria officinalis may interact with other choleretic or cholagogue herbs (like boldo or artichoke), potentially increasing bile flow too much.
- Combining with diuretic drugs could heighten fluid loss.
- May interact with cardiac medications and antihypertensives.
- Enteral absorption of concomitantly administered minerals (e.g. calcium, iron, lithium, zinc), vitamins (B12), cardiac glycosides and coumarin derivatives may be delayed.
- None reported in ESCOP monographs.
Clinical evidence
Several clinical trials indicate that Fumitory is effective in treating biliary disorders, promoting bile secretion and relieving biliary dyskinesia. Small clinical trials and one randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study support its use in treating mild psoriasis and eczema. However, studies show the herb to be ineffective in treating IBS.
Ayurvedic karmas
- Deepana (appetizer)
- Pachana (digestive)
- Raktashodhaka (blood purifier)
- Pittasaraka (cholagogue)
- Vranaropana (wound healing)
Classical clinical indications
- Skin diseases (Kushtha)
- Fever (Jwara)
- Thirst (Trishna)
- Blood disorders (Raktavikara)
- Vertigo (Bhrama)
- Eczema
- Psoriasis