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    Home»Herbs and Spices»Facts and benefits of Visnaga
    Herbs and Spices

    Facts and benefits of Visnaga

    By SylviaJanuary 29, 2018Updated:January 29, 2018No Comments8 Mins Read
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    Facts and benefits of Visnaga

    Ammi visnaga is a species of flowering plant in the carrot family known by many common names, including Visnaga, bisnaga, toothpickweed, khella, False Queen Anne’s Lace, Toothpick Weed, Ammi, khellin, Spanish toothpick, germakellin and Visnagafruchte. The plant is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, but it can be found throughout the world as an introduced species. The word comes from the Greek term ammos meaning “sand” and refers to the plant’s habitat. The generic name “visnaga” is supposed to have developed from the term “bis acutum” meaning “doubly pointed”.

    Plant Description

    Visnaga is an herbaceous medicinal plant that grows about 120 cm in height. The plant is found growing in well-drained soil, which consists of easily crumbled or pulverized mixture of clay, silt and sand. Root is fattened and looks like the root of the carrot. Stem is erect and highly branched. Leaves are up to 20 cm long and generally oval to triangular in shape but divided into many small linear to lance-shaped segments. Flowers are pentamerous, tetracyclic with radial symmetry, bearing five stamens and inferior ovary composed from two united carpels. Flowering normally takes place from Jul to September. The fruit is a compressed oval-shaped structure consisting of two mericarpes and around 3 mm in length. Tiny fruits bear small, irregular, grey colored, smooth seeds about 2mm long. One seed head can offer up a multitude of seeds. Seeds have a characteristic odor and are lingering on taste. Khella flowers in about two months and the fruits become ready for harvesting when the flower heads turn brown.

    Visnaga Image Gallery
    Amni-visnaga-essential-oil Amni-visnaga-essential-oil
    Backside-of-Visnaga-flower Backside-of-Visnaga-flower
    Dried-Flower-of-Visnaga Dried-Flower-of-Visnaga

    Dried-fruit-of-Visnaga Dried-fruit-of-Visnaga
    Flower-and-Flowering-buds Flower-and-Flowering-buds
    Plant-Illustration-of-Visnaga-plant Plant-Illustration-of-Visnaga-plant

    Seeds-of-Visnaga-plant Seeds-of-Visnaga-plant
    Sketch-of-Visnaga-plant Sketch-of-Visnaga-plant
    Unripe-visnaga-fruit Unripe-visnaga-fruit

    Visnaga-flower Visnaga-flower
    Visnaga-fruit Visnaga-fruit
    Visnaga-leaves Visnaga-leaves

    Visnaga-plant Visnaga-plant
    Visnaga-sapling Visnaga-sapling
    Visnaga-Plant-growing-wild Visnaga-Plant-growing-wild

    Health Benefits of Visnaga (Khella)

    Ammi visnaga is a weed and is used in many countries as herbal medicine for different purposes. Ancient records reveal numerous medicinal properties of A. visnaga as a popular source to cure variety of different ailments. The plant is used directly as an herb or as a component for production of a number of herbal medicines used in the cure of renal colic, ureteric stones, angina pectoris, the coronary vessels, cardiovascular disorders and asthma. Also it is used as a folk medicine for vitiligo and psoriasis. The following are some of the health benefits of the visnaga herb

    1. Cardiovascular System

    Animal based research has discovered that visnagin could confidently affect the cardiovascular health of animals. Khella acts as a vasolidator and thus helps in reducing the blood pressure levels. Herb helps in relaxing the blood vessels due to its powerful anti-spasmodic actions on the coronary arteries. It can be used for increasing HDL levels, mild forms of angina (chest pain), irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias), congestive heart failure and atherosclerosis.

    2. Kidneys, Liver & Gall Bladder

    Herb is diuretic and it helps in preventing & treating kidney stones. Animal research conducted on rats, had discovered that the herb could reduce renal crystal deposition. Additionally Khella is used to treat urinary tract infections as the herb has anti-fungal & anti-bacterial properties. Many believe that Khella helps in the proper functioning of the gall bladder and the liver. The herb helps in treating gall stones efficiently.

    3. Skin Conditions

    Khella is also used in treating skin related infections. In some ancient Egyptian and Indian documents, the use of the herb to treat vitiligo has been mentioned prominently. Some also claim that the herb can be taken by mouth to treat psoriasis.

    Apart from that the herb is applied directly to the skin to treat hair loss. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, Khella is also used to treat wounds, poisonous bites and skin swelling.

    4. Respiratory System

    According to some, Khella positively affects the working of the bronchial muscles. The fruit of the herb is related with the treatment of asthma, whooping cough, bronchitis and emphysema.

    5. Other Benefits

    Another benefit of Khella includes its use as a muscle relaxant due to the presence of Khellin. Some claim that the herb can help in treating menstrual pain and PMS.

    Traditional uses and benefits of Visnaga

    • Tea made from the fruit of this species has been used as an herbal remedy for kidney stones in Egypt.
    • Visnaga is an effective muscle relaxant and has been used for centuries to alleviate the unbearable pain of kidney stones.
    • Visnagin contains khellin, from which particularly safe pharmaceutical drugs for the treatment of asthma have been made.
    • Seeds are diuretic and lithontripic.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • It increases the ratio of HDL to LDL in the blood. It reduces plague formation in the linings of Arteries.
    • It relieves the pain in Angina Pectoris.
    • It is used for the treatment of Vitiligo.
    • It relieves wounds, inflammation, Psoriasis and Poisonous bites.
    • Whole fruit has traditionally been used to treat respiratory system diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and whooping cough, as well as cardiovascular disorders, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), liver and gall bladder disorders and to stimulate diuresis.
    • Ammi visnaga may vasodilate the coronary arteries, which increases the blood supply to the myocardium, and as a result, can be used to treat mild forms of angina.
    • It is also used to treat problems associated with spasms and constriction of the gallbladder and bile duct and facilitates the discharge of kidney stones and gallstones.
    • Khella helps to reduce the pain caused by the stones trapped in kidney by loosening up the ureter muscles.
    • It is widely used to heal asthma and is also considered to be safe medication even for children.
    • Khella is an efficient medication for different respiratory ailments and is helpful in curing bronchitis, emphysema, and whooping cough.
    • Khella is also used for diseases of the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular disorders) including high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias), congestive heart failure (CHF), chest pain (angina), “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), and high cholesterol.
    • Other uses include treatment of diabetes, colic and abdominal cramps, liver and gallbladder disorders, kidney stones, and fluid retention.
    • Women sometimes use khella for menstrual pain and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
    • Some people apply khellin taken from khella directly to the skin and then expose the area to light to treat skin problems such as vitiligo, psoriasis, and patchy hair loss.
    • Khella is also put on the skin to treat wounds, skin redness and swelling (inflammation), and poisonous bites.
    • Researchers in Andalusia, Spain have used the best quality of khella to cleanse teeth and the results were said to be excellent.

    Ayurvedic Health benefits of Visnaga

    • For cold and cough: 1 tablespoon of seeds crushed and tied up in a small cloth bundle is used for inhalation; for nasal congestion. Use a similar bundle, placed it near the pillow while sleeping; for cough Drink hot water after chewing little khella seeds; dry cough. Chew betel leaf with khella at night before sleeping
    • Influenza: Drink boiled water with some khella seeds and cinnamon bark for 3 days 3 times a day
    • Flatulence relief, spasmodic disorders relief: Eat khella seeds with betel leaves. 
    • Indigestion (diarrhea): Household remedy is to eat a teaspoon of khella with a little rock salt, or take 1 to 3 drops of khella oil.
    • Toothache: Burn khella seeds, after two hour do gargle with lukewarm water (boil 1 tsp. of ground khella with little salt) and take it two to three times a day.
    • Earache: Put one two drops of khella into your ear, it will relieves the pain.
    • Mouth disorders: For cut pharyngitis, sore and congested throat and hoarseness of the voice (after shouting or due to colds). Make an infusion of seeds mixed with common salt.
    • Rheumatism: Apply on the affected parts of the body, where it hearts.
    • Heartache: Take 1 tablespoon of khella seeds with hot water, it will stimulates the heart and relieves heart.
    • Asthma (and heart disease): Take 30 to 60 drops, 3 to 5 times per day. For positive effects khella should be taken for at least several weeks. These 3 doses throughout the day and a dose before bed assure you a quiet night without an asthma attack.

    Dosage

    Most studies conducted on this herb are animal based. Hence, there is no proven recommended dosage level of Khella for humans. Some say, 30 drops of the herbal extract in water can be taken three times per day. For making an infusion, one teaspoon of the herb can be used for a cup of water and steeped for 25 minutes.

    Precautions

    • Skin contact with the sap is said to cause photo-sensitivity and/or dermatitis in some people.
    • Avoid use 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.
    • People with high blood pressure or Heart disease should consult a doctor before taking this herb.
    • Overdose may cause liver problems, Nausea, headache and insomnia.
    • Khella might make liver disease worse. Don’t use it if you have liver problems.

    References:

    https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=29578#null

    https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/76297/

    https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=2900

    http://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Ammi+visnaga

    https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/112211

    https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=AMVI2

    http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2633893

    https://www.pakbs.org/pjbot/PDFs/46(3)/13.pdf

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammi_visnaga

    http://practicalplants.org/wiki/Ammi_visnaga

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    Visnaga Facts

    Visnaga Quick Facts
    Name: Visnaga
    Scientific Name: Ammi visnaga
    Origin Europe, Asia, and North Africa
    Shapes Compressed oval-shaped structure consisting of two mericarpes and around 3 mm in length
    Taste Bitter, pungent
    Health benefits Cardiovascular System, Kidneys, Liver & Gall Bladder and Respiratory System
    Name Visnaga
    Scientific Name Ammi visnaga
    Native Europe, Asia, and North Africa
    Common Names Visnaga, bisnaga, toothpickweed, khella, False Queen Anne’s Lace, Toothpick Weed, Ammi, khellin, Spanish toothpick, germakellin and Visnagafruchte
    Name in Other Languages Arabic: Khulat baldaa ( خلة بلدى)  Khilla baladi, Sewak el nabi, siwak alnabaa  (سِواك النبى)  Siwāk al nabī
    Catalan:  Bisnaga
    Chinese: Ā mǐ qín (阿米芹)
    Czech:  Morač zákrovnatý, Pakmín visnaga
    Dutch:  Fijn akkerscherm
    English:  Bisnaga, False Queen Anne’s lace, Khella, Lesser bishop’s weed, Toothpick ammi, Toothpick plant, Toothpickweed, Visnaga
    Finnish:  Sirosudenporkkana. Sudenporkkana
    French:  Ammi commun, Herbe aux cure dents, Ammi visnage, Herbe-aux-gencives, Petit ammi
    German:  Bischofskraut, Bischofskrautfruchte, Visnagafruchte, Zahnstocher-Ammei, Zahnstocherkraut, Zahnstocher-Knorpelmöhre, Kleine Knorpelmöhre
    Greek:  Aμμιος κοινός  Ammios koinós
    Hebrew:  אמיתה קיצית Amita keitzit
    Hindi: Khella
    Italian:  Visnaga commune
    Japanese:  Anmi bisunaga ( アンミ ・ ビスナガ)
    Norwegian: Tannstikke
    Persian:  El viellah (Pakistan)
    Polish:  Aminek egipski, Aminek zębodłubka, Kela egipska
    Portuguese:  Bisnagueira (Brazil), Visnagueira (Brazil)
    Russian: Ammi zubnaia (Амми зубная), Visnaga morkovevidnaia (Виснага морковевидная), ammi zubnaja
    Spanish:  Escuradentis, Visnaga, viznaga
    Swedish:  Tandpetarsilja
    Turkish:  Daraklı otu, Diş otu
    Plant Growth Habit Herbaceous medicinal plant
    Soil Prefers well-drained soil, which consists of easily crumbled or pulverized mixture of clay, silt and sand
    Plant Size 120 cm in height
    Root Root is fattened and looks like the root of the carrot
    Stem Erect and highly branched
    Leaf 20 centimeters long and generally oval to triangular in shape but dissected into many small linear to lance-shaped segments
    Flowering Periods Jul to September
    Flower Pentamerous, tetracyclic with radial symmetry, bearing five stamens and inferior ovary composed from two united carpels.
    Fruit Shape & Size Compressed oval-shaped structure consisting of two mericarpes and around 3 mm in length
    Taste Bitter, pungent
    Seeds Small smooth seeds about 2mm long. One seed head can offer up a multitude of seeds.
    Plant Parts Used Seeds, fruit
    Health Benefits
    • Skin Conditions
    • Kidneys, Liver & Gall Bladder
    • Cardiovascular System
    • Respiratory System
    Culinary Uses
    • Leaves chewed for their pleasant aromatic flavor.
    Other Facts
    • The fruiting pedicel is used as a toothpick whilst the seeds have been used as a tooth cleaner.

    Visnaga Scientific Classification

    Scientific Name: Ammi visnaga

    Rank Scientific Name & (Common Name)
    Kingdom Plantae (Plants)
    Subkingdom Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
    Infrakingdom Streptophyta  (land plants)
    Superdivision Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
    Division Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
    Class Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
    Subclass Rosidae
    Order Apiales
    Family Apiaceae ⁄ Umbelliferae (Carrot family)
    Genus Ammi L. (ammi)
    Species Ammi visnaga (L.) Lam. (toothpickweed)
    Synonyms
    • Ammi dilatatum St.-Lag
    • Ammi visnaga var. hybernonis Sennen
    • Ammi visnaga var. longibracteatum Zohary
    • Ammi visnaga var. paui Sennen
    • Apium visnaga (L.) Crantz
    • Carum visnaga (L.) Koso-Pol
    • Daucus gingidium L. ex DC
    • Daucus laevis Salisb
    • Daucus visnaga L
    • Selinum visnaga Krause
    • Sium visnaga (L.) Stokes
    • Visnaga daucoides Gaertn
    • Visnaga vera Raf
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