- Region
- Africa
- Origin
- Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa, especially Egypt. Visnaga daucoides (Ammi visnaga)
- Other names
- Tandenstokerkruid
- Traditions
- Ancient Egyptian medicine, Western herbal medicine
Africa · Herb · № 116
Ammi visnaga
Herb · Africa
Khella
Ammi visnaga
Contains khellin, a muscle relaxant that widens the airways and blood vessels. Khellin was the basis for modern drugs such as cromoglicate (for asthma) and amiodarone (for heart rhythm disorders).
Safety notes
Long-term use may cause liver damage, nausea and skin sensitivity to light. Do not self-treat asthma or heart complaints; they need medical care.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Herbal medicine worldwide: Not with diabetes or high blood pressure. Restricted in some countries. Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
Preparation
Formerly as tea or extract; today mainly as a raw material for medicines. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
In Egypt khella has been used since antiquity for kidney stones and cramps. Its sturdy fruit stalks also serve as toothpicks. Ody describes it as an example of a herb that led to modern drugs.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Antispasmodic, relaxing, anti-asthmatic, diuretic, dilates the coronary arteries; for asthma, bronchial spasms, kidney and bile colic, angina pectoris; A. majus cream for psoriasis and vitiligo.
Preparation and amount
Traditionally used forms: tea, tincture, oil, syrup, capsules.
Caution: Not with diabetes or high blood pressure. Restricted in some countries. Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)TinctureSyrup, honey and oxymelPowder and kitchen