Visnaga. Khella. Bishop's Weed, Toothpickweed
Ammi visnaga

Family: Apiaceae or Umbelliferae

What it is like

Ammi visnaga is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in). It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.8

Where it is found

Fields and sandy places.

C. Europe to W. Asia and N. Africa.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Leaves - raw. Chewed for their pleasant aromatic flavour.

Medicine

Rating: 5

Visnaga is an effective muscle relaxant and has been used for centuries to alleviate the excruciating pain of kidney stones. Modern research has confirmed the validity of this traditional use. Visnagin contains khellin, from which particularly safe pharmaceutical drugs for the treatment of asthma have been made. The seeds are diuretic and lithontripic. They contain a fatty oil that includes the substance 'khellin'. This has been shown to be of benefit in the treatment of asthma. Taken internally, the seeds have a strongly antispasmodic action on the smaller bronchial muscles, they also dilate the bronchial, urinary and blood vessels without affecting blood pressure. The affect last for about 6 hours and the plant has practically no side effects. The seeds are used in the treatment of asthma, angina, coronary arteriosclerosis and kidney stones. By relaxing the muscles of the urethra, visnaga reduces the pain caused by trapped kidney stones and helps ease the stone down into the bladder. The seeds are harvested in late summer before they have fully ripened and are dried for later use.

Antiarrhythmic: Helps restore normal rhythm and conduction

Antiasthmatic: Treats asthma.

Antispasmodic: Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Lithontripic: Removes stones from the kidney, bladder etc.

Urinary: Treats urinary problems, including urinary tract infection (UTI).

Vasodilator: Widens the blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure.

Other

Rating:

The fruiting pedicel is used as a toothpick whilst the seeds have been used as a tooth cleaner.

Teeth: Plants used to clean and care for the teeth.

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Prefers a well-drained soil in a sunny position, succeeding in ordinary garden soil. Tolerates a pH in the range 6.8 to 8.3. This species is not fully winter-hardy in the colder areas of Britain, though it should be possible to grow it as a spring-sown annual. This plant is sold as toothpicks in Egyptian markets.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in situ.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual/Biennial

Hardiness: 0-0

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Skin contact with the sap is said to cause photo-sensitivity and/or dermatitis in some people. Avoid during pregnancy and lactation. Avoid if on warfarin or other blood thinning medication. Prolonged use may lead to: constipation, appetite loss, headaches, vertigo, nausea and vomiting .

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Ammi dilatatum. Apium visnaga. Carum visnaga. Daucus visnaga.