Evidence supporting the use of: Fumitory
For the health condition: Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis) has a long history of traditional use in European herbal medicine, particularly for supporting liver and gallbladder health. Historically, it has been used as a "cholagogue," a substance believed to stimulate the flow of bile from the liver and gallbladder, and as a remedy for "sluggish" gallbladder function or mild biliary dyskinesia. Traditional herbalists prescribed fumitory for symptoms such as mild digestive discomfort, a feeling of fullness after meals, and mild jaundice, often associated with impaired bile flow. Its use after gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) is also mentioned in some herbal traditions, where it is employed to support continued bile flow and digestive function.

However, scientific validation for these uses is limited. Several animal studies and in vitro experiments have shown that fumitory extracts can modulate bile secretion and may have mild hepatoprotective and antispasmodic effects, likely due to alkaloids such as protopine. Some small clinical trials have explored its use in dyspeptic complaints, but robust, high-quality human studies specifically examining its effects on gallbladder function or in those who have had their gallbladders removed are lacking. Thus, the current support for fumitory in gallbladder conditions is rooted primarily in tradition, with only modest scientific investigation and low-level evidence available.

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