Fumitory

Botanical

What is it

Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis) is a flowering herb in the poppy family, traditionally used in European herbal medicine for liver, gallbladder, and skin complaints. The aerial parts are the part used.

Evidence for 2 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Dyspepsia and biliary complaints (traditional use)

Mixed Evidence

Limited older European clinical data and traditional use support its application for sluggish digestion and minor biliary discomfort. Trial quality is generally low and findings are inconsistent.

Skin conditions (eczema, scabies)

Mixed Evidence

Traditional use; no controlled clinical trials in humans.

How it works

Fumitory contains isoquinoline alkaloids (notably protopine and fumarine), flavonoids, and organic acids. Protopine has shown bile-modulating activity in preclinical studies, supporting traditional use for biliary and digestive complaints. The alkaloid mixture is thought to normalize bile flow rather than purely stimulate or suppress it, although clinical evidence for this 'amphoteric' effect is limited. Clinical research on fumitory is sparse. A handful of older European trials have looked at bile flow and dyspeptic symptoms, with modest improvements reported in some, but methodology and reporting have limited the strength of conclusions.

Dosage

No established RDA. Traditional doses of the dried herb are 2-6 g per day as a tea or extract. Tincture and standardized extract doses vary; follow product labeling.

When and how to take it

When used for dyspeptic or biliary symptoms, fumitory tea or extract is typically taken before meals. Continuous use beyond a few weeks is not generally recommended.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Dried herb (tea or capsule)

Traditional preparation.

Alkaloids are extracted by both hot water and alcohol.

Liquid tincture

Concentrated form.

Alcohol better extracts alkaloids than water alone.

Safety

Generally well tolerated short term. Higher doses can cause GI upset, palpitations, drowsiness, or low blood pressure. The alkaloid content makes prolonged high-dose use inadvisable.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and in children due to insufficient safety data and alkaloid content. People with low blood pressure, bradycardia, or chronic liver or biliary disease should consult a clinician. Stop at least 2 weeks before scheduled surgery.

Interactions

Possible additive effects with antihypertensive medications. Theoretical interaction with sedatives because of alkaloid CNS activity. May affect medications metabolized by liver enzymes; clinical relevance is unclear.

Frequently asked questions

Is fumitory safe long term?⌄

Long-term use is not recommended because of the alkaloid content. Most traditional regimens limit use to a few weeks at a time.

Will it help my liver?⌄

Evidence is limited and mostly indirect. It has a traditional reputation for biliary support, but it is not a treatment for liver disease.

References

Fumitory on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Fumitory on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Fumitory (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.