Earth smoke is the eponymous plant of the earth smoke family, which belongs to the poppy family (Papaveraceae). The name is said to date back to a Greek physician who described the sap of the plant as having strong irritant and lachrymatory properties. In addition to the gray-green color of the leaves, which appears to be smoky, various other conjectures are found in history to justify the naming of the plant.
Occurrence and cultivation of the earth fumitory
In earlier times, fumitory was a sought-after medicinal plant, but after the Middle Ages it fell into oblivion. Earth smoke (also: common earth smoke or common earth smoke) grows mainly in nutrient-rich places such as fields, vineyards, gardens or paths. Thus, it incidentally fulfills the function of indicating the nutrient content of the soil. The plant does not survive on soil poor in lime. It is primarily a weed that blooms between May and October. The flowers of the plant are pink or purple and resemble lip flowers. On the plant they are organized in racemes. Their shape is asymmetrical and the whole plant grows up to fifty centimeters. It is an annual herbaceous plant. Botanists refer to the earth smoke by the Latin term “fumaria”. In this name, the smoke metaphor is justified, which also led to the German name of the plant. Earth smoke is native to the whole of Europe and has spread from the Mediterranean region. In earlier times, fumitory was a sought-after medicinal plant, but it fell into oblivion after the Middle Ages. Today, the reputation of the plant is disputed. The alkaloid fumarin contained is said to be slightly toxic, which is why the earth smoke is now only used as a remedy in small doses.
Effect and application
At the same time, the plant was already used by the Germanic tribes and Celts. They used the earth smoke as incense, which could also have been name-giving. In addition, the plant was used in the Middle Ages for exorcisms. According to legends, witches used earth smoke to make themselves invisible. At the same time, superstition arose about the use of fumitory as an indicator of fate for girls and women who wanted to get married. According to the belief, said women should wear earth smoke near their chest and would then meet the man who would later take them as his wife. This belief has not survived into modern times, but the belief in the health-giving properties of fumitory has. It contains many flavonoids, choline, various alkaloids and fumaric acid. Since experts consider some of the ingredients to be problematic, fumitory is used mainly in diluted form. Therefore, the plant is found only in mixed teas. Although an intake of up to six grams of fumitory per day is considered safe, these mixtures usually contain only amounts between ten and one hundred milligrams. Therefore, it is advisable for acute complaints to have teas mixed by experts themselves. Earth fumitory shows its effectiveness especially in bilious complaints and increases the production of bile. In addition, it is antibacterial and has an inhibitory effect on the central nervous system. Thus, it particularly alleviates the symptoms of various diseases, but in itself does not fight the underlying disease. Earth smoke is also known to prevent exaggerated reactions of the immune system. Possible forms of application are, on the one hand, ingestion via teas or tinctures and, on the other hand, via dry extracts, tablets or dragées. However, fumitory is also used in baths and poultices. Depending on the area of application, different application possibilities can be found.
Significance for health, treatment and prevention.
In alternative medicine, tea made from fumitory herb is especially recommended for digestive problems. However, as a herbal medicine, it is always the first choice of conservative physicians before prescribing stronger medications. Between one and three cups daily are recommended for acute symptoms. The affected person should take these in small sips. Earth smoke also combats pain and cramps in the gallbladder and the entire gastrointestinal tract. In addition, Arabic physicians already used earth smoke two thousand years ago to purify the blood. This tradition is also found among the Romans, who also used frankincense to treat liver and spleen infections. Ancient and medieval physicians also used earth smoke against jaundice.In the Middle Ages, on the other hand, the plant found application as an effective remedy for skin diseases and constipation. The strongly effective medicinal herb, used as a tincture or bath, can help against eczema or psoriasis, for example. It also has diuretic and diaphoretic effects, which attributes a positive effect on health to fumitory in small doses. Nevertheless, experts recommend taking a break after six weeks of continuous use. On the one hand, this serves to protect the body from undesirable long-term effects, and on the other hand, discontinuation prevents habituation. Earth smoke can act as a drug when used excessively. In addition to its main use in the gallbladder area, medical practitioners also use the plant for worms and hemorrhoids. In addition, fumitory is said to have a mood-lifting effect, which helps against depression, hysteria and hypochondria. From the point of view of disease, the main uses of the herb are in the treatment of hardening of the liver, gallbladder inflammation, gallstones and stomach weakness. But also against bad breath can be used Erdrauch. In combination with other medicinal plants, fumitory can also help against stomach ulcers. According to popular opinion, almost all parts of the plant are processed. However, there are also voices that appeal to the use of the fresh or dried plant without the root. Conservative and alternative physicians argue to this day about the use of fumitory in various diseases. Its effect on migraines, for example, has not been confirmed.
