The smokehouse (Fumaria officinalis) is an abundant plant in fields and crops that has been used traditionally as digestive and liver cleansing remedy for its digestive, purifying and hepatoprotective properties.
The smokehouses are plants related to poppieswhich grow spontaneously on the margins of fields, roads, 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 this by the shape and blood tone coloration of its hanging flowers, that makes the imagination of those who admire them wander.
The word «fumaria» may come from pro fumus smoke in Latin, for the smoke screen appearance offered by its leaves seen from a distanceor perhaps because of the color and smell of smoke emanating from its roots. The truth is that, in Europe, we have fifteen species of this genus, the white smoke (Fumaria capreolata) and the official smokehouse (Fumaria officinalis) the most common, although the latter is the only one explored for its properties and healing potential.
The smokehouse (Fumaria officinalis L.) is a modest herb, barely 2 spans highsomewhat diffuse and fragile, with leaves divided into more or less triangular segments, of a bluish-green or grayish color, and small, elongated tube-shaped flowersinflated at its base, wine-pink in color, with a purple spot at the tip. The fruit is a hard capsule, which contains a seed inside.
Blooms from the month of Marchsome years even as early as February and flowering continues throughout spring. It is common throughout Europe, including the Iberian Peninsula.
Properties of the fumaria
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, mucilage and potassium salts.
Partly thanks to this composition, they are attributed purifying properties, hepatoprotectivecholeretic, cholagogues, digestive, slightly laxativediuretics, anti-migraineantiarrhythmic, cardiotonic, antibacterial and antispasmodic.
What is the smokehouse for?
Due to all these properties, fumaria has benefits for the liver and gallbladder, against migraines, for digestion, as a cleanser and for the heart.
Benefits for the liver and gallbladder
Fumitory, due to its purifying 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 repairing 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
Fumaria is also one of the plants recommended by herbalists to calm migraine outbreaks and other painful headaches. It is especially beneficial in migraines and headaches linked to liver disorders, nausea or poor digestion, but it is also useful against migraines associated with hypertension or menstrual or menopause disorders.
Benefits as a digestive plant
Fumaria is incorporated into digestive and laxative formulas 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 fumaria is as a natural cleanser, in spring cures, to facilitate elimination of toxins with urineto strengthen the functions of the liver and kidneys, to increase the emission of urine, to combat fluid retention and edema and to prevent inflammation in the urinary tract.
As a purifying agent, 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.
Benefits for the heart
The smokehouse is attributed a slight antiarrhythmic actionIt is revealed as a good natural aid to treat nervous arrhythmias, high blood pressure peaks, 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 an adequate diet.
How to take fumaria
The fumaria can be taken in different ways:
- In the form of juice of the fresh plant as a digestive and purifying agent.
- More frequent is to take the dried plant in the form of an infusiontwo or three cups daily.
- In herbalists and some pharmacies you will find fumaria in the form of liquid extract, tincture and capsulesassociated with other herbs.
- The fumaria infusion is applied externally in wound washings, to promote the elimination of impurities such as eczema, pimples, boils, etc
Fumitory infusion
We can prepare fumaria infusion by combining it with other related plants depending on the benefit that we want to enhance. These are some examples of herbal formulas with fumaria.
Liver protective herbal tea
This fumaria 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. One tablespoon of the mixture in equal parts per glass of water.
- Preparation: Boil for 2 minutes and let it rest for another 10, covered. Add lemon juice or syrup to disguise the somewhat bitter taste of the formula.
- How much to take: Two cups a day, in the morning, with breakfast and mid-afternoon, as an option.
Purifying herbal tea
This purifying herbal tea allows enhance the filtering capacity of the liverto take in case of food poisoning, nausea, indigestion or loss of appetite, and for treat gallstones or prevent their occurrence.
- Ingredients: Fumaria, boldo, agrimony, dandelion, barberry and mint. 20 g per plant. Separate 5 g of the mixture in equal parts for each cup of water.
- Preparation: Boil for 2 minutes, let it rest for 10 more and strain.
- How much to take: To consume after a copious or heavy meal or after an episode of intoxication or nausea.
Tisane for migraine
Another infusion of fumaria to relieve migraines and other headaches linked to liver disorders, heavy digestion, nervous states, etc.
Ingredients: Fumaria, hops, betony, boldo, lemon verbena and mint. In equal parts, for example 15 g per plant.
Preparation: Separate one 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. You may or may not add a flavor corrector, to taste.
How much to take: Up to three glasses a day, before or after meals.
Contraindications of the fumaria
Due to the high presence of alkaloids, fumaria 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 advisable to consult your doctor before starting any treatment with medicinal plants, but before starting a treatment with fumaria it is especially important to do so in case of high blood pressure, chronic arrhythmias and heart failure .
By Jordi Cebrián, expert in phytotherapy