AMMI VISNAGA ESSENTIAL OIL

Latin Binomial: Ammi visnaga
Plant Part: Seed
Extraction: Steam Distilled
Growing Practice: Ethical
Country of Origin: Morocco
Odor Type: FRUITY

Odor Characteristic: Ammi visnaga is deeply aromatic, slightly camphorous and sometimes nauseating when over-inhaling.

Refractive Index: 1.441 @ 20.00 °C
Specific Gravity: 0.863 @ 20.00 °C
BioChemical Class: Monoterpene, coumarin
BioChemicals: monoterpenols: linalool, borneol

Esters: bornyl acetate, sesquiterpenyl acetate, benzyl isovalerate

coumarins & furocoumarins: (+)-cis-khellactone, di-esters

dihydropyrocoumarines: samidine

chromones: khellin (1-2%), visnagin (less than 0.1%)
CAS No: 84695-96-5
INCI Name: VISNAGA VERA FRUIT/STEM EXTRACT

About the Plant

Ammi visnaga is a biennial species of flowering plant from the Apiaceae (carrot) family, commonly called khella, bishop's weed, daucus visagna, false Queen Anne's lace or toothpickweed. Found throughout the world as an introduced species, it is native to the Mediterranean area of N. Africa and the Middle East. A bitter, aromatic plant, it grows to a height of approximately 3.5' and bears single, wispy leaves. It has clusters of small, white, scented hermaphrodite flowers that are pollinated by insects.

History

Ammi visnaga is one of the oldest herbs to be cultivated by ancient Egyptians. The tiny fruits are picked and dried for herbal medicines. The plant itself tastes like thyme and the leaves are chewed for their flavor in some cultures.

Aromatherapy:

Inhalation benefit specific for asthma, possible uses in other respiratory ailments. Consult your doctor before either substituting or adding to your medical treatment. Ammi visnaga dilates coronary blood vessels and may be a helpful asthma treatment, and is a vasodilator and can help relieve spasm in bronchi smooth muscle tissue. The naturally occurring furanochromones khellin and visnagin have received considerable attention, largely because of their vasodilatory properties.

Perfumery:

There appears to be no or limited uses in perfumery.

Cultural Use:

The seeds are diuretic and lithotripic and have been widely used herbally in the treatment of asthma, angina, coronary arteriosclerosis and kidney stones.

Furanochromones (particularly that of khellin) can induce skin pigmentation upon ultraviolet light treatment of patients suffering from vitiligo. For this reason, this essential oil should be considered photo-sensitizing.

The information provided on these pages is not a substitute for necessary medical care, nor intended as medical advice. Always keep aromatic extracts tightly closed and in a cool, dark place, out of reach of children. Never ingest aromatic extracts. Always dilute aromatic extracts when applying topically and avoid areas around eyes or mucous membranes. If redness or irritation occurs, stop using immediately and contact your health provider if necessary.