This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Uses

Toxic parts

Skin contact with the sap is said to cause photo-sensitivity and/or dermatitis in some people[1].

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves - raw[2]. Chewed for their pleasant aromatic flavour[3].

Leaves

Material uses

The fruiting pedicel is used as a toothpick[4][5][6] whilst the seeds have been used as a tooth cleaner[7].

Unknown part

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Visnaga is an effective muscle relaxant and has been used for centuries to alleviate the excruciating pain of kidney stones[7]. Modern research has confirmed the validity of this traditional use[7]. Visnagin contains khellin, from which particularly safe pharmaceutical drugs for the treatment of asthma have been made[7]. The seeds are diuretic and lithontripic[4]. They contain a fatty oil that includes the substance 'khellin'. This has been shown to be of benefit in the treatment of asthma[8]. Taken internally, the seeds have a strongly antispasmodic action on the smaller bronchial muscles[7], they also dilate the bronchial, urinary and blood vessels without affecting blood pressure[8]. The affect last for about 6 hours and the plant has practically no side effects[7]. The seeds are used in the treatment of asthma, angina, coronary arteriosclerosis and kidney stones[8]. 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[7]. The seeds are harvested in late summer before they have fully ripened and are dried for later use[7].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Ammi visnaga. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a well-drained soil in a sunny position[8], 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[8].

This plant is sold as toothpicks in Egyptian markets[4].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Ammi visnaga. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Ammi visnaga.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Ammi visnaga
Genus
Ammi
Family
Umbelliferae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    Fertility
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

    "image:Ammi visnaga umbela.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ammi visnaga umbela.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ammi visnaga umbela.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Ammi visnaga umbela.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ammi visnaga umbela.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Ammi visnaga umbela.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Ammi visnaga umbela.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Ammi visnaga umbela.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Ammi visnaga umbela.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Ammi visnaga umbela.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ammi visnaga umbela.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Ammi visnaga umbela.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Ammi visnaga umbela.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ammi visnaga umbela.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ammi visnaga umbela.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Chakravarty. H. L. The Plant Wealth of Iraq. ()
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.57.67.77.87.9 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.5 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    9. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-1
    10. ? ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-100" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.

    "image:Ammi visnaga umbela.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Facts about "Ammi visnaga"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyUmbelliferae +
    Belongs to genusAmmi +
    Has binomial nameAmmi visnaga +
    Has common nameVisnaga +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile + and Insects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has imageAmmi visnaga umbela.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual + and Biennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDental care +
    Has mature height0.75 +
    Has mature width0.4 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntiasthmatic +, Diuretic +, Lithontripic + and Vasodilator +
    Has primary imageAmmi visnaga umbela.jpg +
    Has search nameammi visnaga + and visnaga +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral +, Alkaline + and Very alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameAmmi visnaga +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Ammi visnaga +, Ammi visnaga +, Ammi visnaga +, Ammi visnaga +, Ammi visnaga + and Ammi visnaga +