Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

274 Fumaria officinalis Linn.
F
nodosus Linn. (Included in Glossary
of Indian Medicinal Plants, CSIR,
also in its second supplement.) F.
nodosus is found in India along sea
shores.
English ◮ Bladderwrack, Black Tang,
Rockweed, Kelp.
Action ◮ Weed—one of the richest
source of minerals, chiefly iodine,
sodium, manganese, sulphur, silicon,
zinc and copper. Effective
against obesity, antirheumatic.
Stimulates circulation of lymph.
Endocrine gland stimulant. Allays
onset of arteriosclerosis by
maintaining elasticity of walls of
blood vessels. Mild diuretic, bulk,
laxative, antibiotic. High sodium
content may reduce effectiveness of
diuretics.
(The herb contains trace metal, particularly
iodine from 0.03–1.0%. It may
contain waste metals such as cadmium
and strontium, when grown in a polluted
environment. Variable iodine content
and arsenic contamination make
the herb unsafe.)
The herb should be used with caution
in hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
Excess thyroid activity may be
aggravated by the iodine content of the
herb;itmaydisruptthyroidfunction.
One gram of Bladderwrack might contain
as much as 600 mcg iodine (Ingestingmorethan150mcgiodineperday
may cause hyperthyroidism or exacerbate
existing hyperthyroidism.) (Natural
Medicines Comprehensive Database,
2007.)
Due to the antithrombin effects of its
fucan polysaccharides, consumption of
the herb in cases of G1 bleeding disorders
is contraindicated.
(Included among unapproved herbs
by German Commission E.)
Fumaria officinalis Linn.
Family ◮ Fumariaceae.
Habitat ◮ Native to Europe and
North America. Found at high
altitudes in Nilgiris and Salem
(Tamil Nadu).
English ◮ Fumitory.
Ayurvedic ◮ Parpata (related species).
Unani ◮ Shaahtaraa.
Action ◮ Antispasmodic and
amphicholeretic. Stimulant to liver
and gall bladder; used for eczema
and other skin diseases. Also
diuretic and mild laxative.
Key application ◮ In spastic discomforts
in the area of gallbladder
and bile ducts, as well as the
gastrointestinal tract. (German
Commission E, The British Herbal
Pharmacopoeia.)
The herb contains indenobenzazepine
alkaloids—fumaritrin and fumarofine.
Other alkaloids include (−)-scoulerine,
protopine, fumaricine, (+)-fumariline.
The plant also contain rutin,
fumaric acid and hydroxycinnamic
acid derivatives.
Protopine exhibits antihistaminic,
hypotensive, bradycardic and sedative
activity in small doses, but excitation
and convulsions in large doses. (Natural
Medicines Comprehensive Database,
2007.)