Scientific noun: Fumaria officinalis L.	©Daniel Martinez Bou
Family : Fumitory family - Papaveraceae
Habitat: Cultivated fields, path sides, and waste lands of calcareous nature in most places of Europe. Naturalized in America.,
Active properties: Alkaloids: (canadine, protopine -fumarine- , fumaricine, fumariline, estilopine, cryptonine, sanguinarine, coryladine...) Main of all is fumarine, ( 0,13% ) which although it shows antihistaminic and antiasmathic properties, on a prolonged dosage may lead to respiratory disorders. Fumaric acid . ( C4H4O4) present in body as a very active constituent which has to be administered very carefully. It has been used for the treatment of psoriasis, but a too high dosage can increase sugar levels in blood. It is being studies its properties as a possible anticancerous drug. Industrially, it is used a a food additive, acidifying preservative and savoring agent. Also as an industrial colorant and in the preparation of synthetic resins.
Active parts: The whole plant, specially the juice of leaves..
Usage: Depurative, tonic, emollient, , hepatic, hipertensive , hipotensive, etc. ( See its medicinal properties )
Toxicity: Low Symptoms: Stomachache , hypertension in low dosage and short treatments and hypotension in higher doses and long -period treatments. Very continuous dosage can produce respiratory breakdown. Treatment: stomach rinsing , aided respiration and clinic help in case of high doses.