Holistic Health Herbal Medicine The Health Benefits of Ammi Visnaga May help with diabetes, kidney stones, and more By Cathy Wong facebook twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Cathy Wong Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Meredith Bull, ND on December 21, 2020 facebook linkedin Meredith Bull, ND, is a licensed naturopathic doctor with a private practice in Los Angeles, California. Learn about our Medical Review Board Meredith Bull, ND on December 21, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Health Benefits Possible Side Effects Selection, Preparation & Storage Common Questions Ammi visnaga is a natural substance long used in herbal medicine. It contains khellin, a compound said to promote widening of the blood vessels, and it has been used to treat conditions ranging from menstrual cramps to atherosclerosis. The extract is derived from a plant in the carrot family that is commonly found in the Eastern Mediterranean. Some people take ammi visnaga orally and others use it topically to treat certain skin conditions. Despite its historical use, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of ammi visnaga for the treatment of any medical condition and there are concerns about whether or not the treatment is safe—especially for women who are pregnant. Christophe Lehenaff / Getty Images Health Benefits In alternative medicine, ammi visnaga is touted as a treatment for the following health problems: AnginaAsthmaAtherosclerosisBronchitisColicCoughsDiabetesHeart diseaseHigh blood pressureHigh cholesterolKidney stonesMenstrual crampsPremenstrual syndromeVitiligoWhooping cough In addition, ammi visnaga is said to reduce inflammation. When applied directly to the skin, ammi visnaga is thought to aid in the treatment of conditions like psoriasis and alopecia areata, as well as promote wound healing. There is limited research on the health effects of ammi visnaga, and much of what does exist dates back to the 1950s. For example, one study published in 1950 suggested that it may aid in the treatment of angina. And another study published in 1955 investigated its use as an asthma treatment. But no recent studies have supported these findings. The small number of recent studies on ammi visnaga have focused on a few potential medicinal uses. In reviewing this (and any) research, however, it is important to remember that any results of animal studies cannot automatically be applied to humans, and firm conclusions can only be fairly drawn from large, replicated studies. It's simply too soon to recommend ammi visnaga as a treatment for any condition. Kidney Stones Several preliminary studies suggest that ammi visnaga may help protect against kidney stones. In a 2011 study published in Urological Research, for instance, tests on rats revealed that treatment with ammi visnaga helped prevent the buildup of minerals known to form kidney stones. Diabetes Ammi visnaga may hold promise in the treatment of diabetes, according to an animal-based study published in the Journal of Pharmacotherapy in 2002. In tests on diabetic rats, the study's authors found that ammi visnaga helped reduce blood sugar levels. Vitiligo Ammi visnaga may aid in the treatment of vitiligo, suggests a study published in the European Journal of Dermatology in 2001. A condition marked by white patches on the skin, vitiligo occurs when the cells that give your skin its color are destroyed. For the study, researchers assigned 28 people with vitiligo to a treatment regimen that included oral intake of khellin and therapy involving exposure to ultraviolet A light. Researchers found that of the 17 patients who continued the treatment regimen for longer than three months, seven had a good response (described as more than 70% repigmentation of the vitiligo-affected skin). Possible Side Effects There's some concern that ammi visnaga may trigger adverse effects when taken orally in high doses or for a long duration. These adverse effects range from constipation and nausea to liver problems and difficulty sleeping. Consumption of the active ingredient khellin may also cause dizziness, lack of appetite, headache, itching, and insomnia. Ammi visnaga extract may aggravate liver disease. Therefore, anyone with liver disease should avoid the use of ammi visnaga. Not enough is known about the topical use of ammi visnaga to determine if it is safe to use. Given these safety concerns, it's important to consult your physician prior to taking ammi visnaga. Pregnant women should not consume ammi visnaga. The active ingredient khellin has uterine stimulant activity, making it unsafe to use during pregnancy. It's also important to note that self-treating a chronic condition with ammi visnaga and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences. Selection, Preparation & Storage Widely available for purchase online, ammi visnaga is sold in many natural-foods stores and in stores specializing in dietary supplements. The product is sold as a liquid extract and also as a cream. Not enough is known about ammi visnaga or khellin to determine an effective or safe dose. Also, keep in mind that supplements like ammi visnaga are largely unregulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Likewise, they are not tested by the agency for safety or effectiveness. According to government standards, it is illegal to market a dietary supplement as a treatment or cure for a specific disease or to alleviate symptoms. In some cases, the product may deliver doses that differ from the amount specified on the label. In other cases, the product may be contaminated with other substances. ome consumers look for products that have been certified by ConsumerLabs, The U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention, or NSF International. These organizations don't guarantee that a product is safe or effective, but they do provide a certain level of testing for quality. How to Safely Use Nutritional Supplements Common Questions Can I grow ammi visnaga?Seeds are available in some stores and the plant can be grown in deep pots or cell trays indoors. Plant experts note that it is sensitive to disturbance and can be damaged when being transferred to the ground, so they suggest growing it for six or more weeks before transplanting outdoors. Are there other natural remedies that boost heart health?A number of other natural remedies may help improve blood vessel health and protect against cardiovascular problems. For example, studies suggest that substances such as omega-3 fatty acids, garlic, cocoa, and black tea may help enhance cardiovascular health. In addition, resveratrol, anthocyanins, and other antioxidants found naturally in certain foods (such as berries) may help keep your blood vessels healthy. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. de Leeuw J, van der BN, Maierhofer G, et al. A case study to evaluate the treatment of vitiligo with khellin encapsulated in L-phenylalanin stabilized phosphatidylcholine liposomes in combination with ultraviolet light therapy. Eur J Dermatol. 2003;13(5):474-477. doi:10.1111/dth.12274 Dewar H, Grimson T. Khellin in the treatment of angina of effort. Br Heart J. 1950;12(1):54-60. Hofer A, Kerl H, Wolf P. Long-term results in the treatment of vitiligo with oral khellin plus UVA. Eur J Dermatol. 2001;11(3):225-9. Jouad H, Maghrani M, Eddouks M. Hypoglycemic effect of aqueous extract of Ammi visnaga in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. J Herb Pharmacother. 2002;2(4):19-29. Lee JK, Jung JS, Park SH, Park SH, Sim YB, Kim SM, Ha TS, Suh HW. Anti-inflammatory effect of visnagin in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells. Arch Pharm Res. 2010;33(11):1843-50. doi:10.1007/s12272-010-1117-1 Vanachayangkul P, Byer K, Khan S, Butterweck V. An aqueous extract of Ammi visnaga fruits and its constituents khellin and visnagin prevent cell damage caused by oxalate in renal epithelial cells. Phytomedicine. 2010;17(8-9):653-8. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2009.10.011 Vanachayangkul P, Chow N, Khan SR, Butterweck V. Prevention of renal crystal deposition by an extract of Ammi visnaga L. and its constituents khellin and visnagin in hyperoxaluric rats. Urol Res. 2011;39(3):189-95. doi:10.1007/s00240-010-0333-y Zehe O. Khellin therapy of asthma. Dtsch Med J. 1955;6(3-4):109-11.