-IBIS-1.5.0-

rx

herb

Ammi visnaga (Khella)

botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Ammi visnaga, toothpick ammi, bischofskraut, zahnstocherammei, herbe au cure-dents

synonyms: khella

part(s) used: seed

qualities:

affinities:

actions:

dosage:

» tincture: 1-4 ml.

therapy: asthma

AHPA Botanical Safety Rating:

toxicity: 2

» two furocoumarins, khellin and visnagin, have resulted in isolated cases of photosensitization (Fuller and McClintock, p. 70; Keeler and Tu, p. 355)

» toxic reactions to khellin include: nausea, constipation, vertigo, diarrhea, insomnia, and dermatitis from handling fresh plant (Keeler and Tu, p. 811)

» avoid during pregnancy due to uterine stimulant effect (due to constituent khellin) and emmenagogue effect (Farnsworth, Brinker)

» avoid excessive ultraviolet light or solarium therapy due to the photo sensitizing effect of khellin (Brinker)

constituents: furocoumarins: khellin and visnagin

drug interactions:

» decreases the toxicity of the cardiac glycoside digitoxin due to the coronary vasodilator and anti-arrhythmic effects (Brinker)

footnotes

Brinker F. 1995. Botanical Medicine Research Summaries. (from Eclectic Dispensatory of Botanical Therapeutics, vol.11), Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Farnsworth NR, Bingel AS, Cordell GA, Crane FA, Fong HHS. 1975. Potential Value of Plants as Sources of New Antifertility Agents I. J. Pharm. Sci., 64:535-98.

Fuller, T.C., and McClintock, E. 1986. Poisonous Plants of California. Los Angeles: University of Southern California Press.

Keeler, R.F., and Tu, A.T. 1983. Handbook of Natural Toxins. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.

vol.11), Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Farnsworth NR, Bingel AS, Cordell GA, Crane FA, Fong HHS. 1975. Potential Value of Plants as Sources of New Antifertility Agents I. J. Pharm. Sci., 64:535-98.

Fuller, T.C., and McClintock, E. 1986. Poisonous Plants of California. Los Angeles: University of Southern California Press.

Keeler, R.F., and Tu, A.T. 1983. Handbook of Natural Toxins. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.

B>. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.