Fumaria officinalis   Common fumitory, Earthsmoke    Family: Fumariaceae       
PART USED: Herb
TASTE: Bitter and saline ODOR: Faint
ACTIONS
1. Diuretic- weak.[1,2]
2. Tonic.[1]
3. Laxative.[1,2]
4. Anitinflammatory.[2]
INDICATIONS
1. Cutaneous eruptions. Chronic eczema.[1] Skin infections.[2]
2. Stomach disorders, liver complaints.[2]
Local- Conjunctivitis- eye lotion.[1]
COMBINATIONS
- Skin eruptions- use with Burdock or Galium.[1]
PREPARATIONS
Dried herb  2-4 g or by infusion.[1]
Liquid extract 1:1 in 25% alcohol   2-4 ml.[1,2]
Tincture  1:5 in 45% alcohol  1-4 ml.[1]
    
ORIGIN: Britain and Europe, especialy in cultivated fields.
DESCRIPTION: Common Funitory forms a robust tuft, with finely subdivided leaves of linear-oblong lobes, bearing spikes of elongated light red flowers. The lower flowers develop into small nearly spherical nutlets. Flowers during Summer. Leaves pinnate, glabrous. flwoers selnder, tubular, two-lipped, pink with darker tips, in short spikes. Fruit, globular containing one seed.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents
 Bitter alkaloids.[1]
Isoquinoline alkaloids, including bulbocapnine, canadine, coptisine, corydaline, dicentrine, cryptopine, fumaricine, fumariline, fumaritine, N- methylhydrastine, protopine, sanguinarine, sinactine.[2,3]
The skin complaints treated are due in part to the presence of sanguinarine, which is antiseptic.
References
[1] British Herbal Pharmacopoeia 1983 Published by the British Herbal Medicine Association ISBN 0 903032 07 4.
[2] Willaman, J. J. and Hui-Li, L. (1970) Lloydia 33 (3A), 1
[3] The Alkaloids. Vol XVII Ed. R. H. F. Manske, and R. Rodrigo. Pub. Academic Press (1979)
[4] Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations  R.C. Wren Revised by Elizabeth M. Williamson and Fred J Evans. First published in Great Britain in 1988 and reprinted in 1989 and 1994 by the C. W. Daniel Company Limited. 1 Church Path, Saffron Walden Essex. Published 1988 Printed and bound by Biddles, Guildford ISBN 085207 1973.