October 8, 2002

KHELLA

Latin Name: Ammi visnaga

Alternate Names: Visnaga, Toothpick Plant

Family: APIACEAE

Parts Used: Fruit.

Properties: Antiallergenic, Antiasthmatic, Antispasmodic, Aromatic, Bronchial Dilator, Sedative, Vasodilator.

Internal Uses: Angina, Asthma, Bronchitis, Emphysema, Kidney Stones, Vitiligo, Whooping Cough

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.

Khella helps to dilate the urethra so that stones may pass more easily. Its powerful antispasmodic action makes it beneficial to relax bronchial muscles and the coronary arteries. Khella has been found to stimulate the synthesis of melanin when used internally and topically in about one third of all studied cases.

Chemical Constituents: Khellin, visnagin, khellol glycoside, essential oil, flavonoids, sterols.

Contraindications: Safe for children who have asthma. However, it has cumulative toxicity.

Comments: Native to Africa, it also grows wild in the Middle East.

-- Cheryl in KS (klingonbunny@planetkc.com), October 08, 2002

Answers

-- Cheryl in KS (klingonbunny@planetkc.com), October 08, 2002.