Bishops Weed

Latin Name : Ammi majus

Family : Umbelliferae / Apiaceae

Folk Names : False Queen Annes Lace, White Dill , Bullwort, Meadowsweet, Woodnep

Actions : Seed - Aromatic, carminative, contraceptive, digestive, diuretic, tonic.

Parts Used : Seed , leaf , root.

Constituents : Ammoidin , flavinoids, furanocoumarins and tannins .

Uses : The seeds of Bishops weed can be used as a contraceptive, similar to the morning after pill. A decoction of the ground-up seed, eaten after intercourse, appears able to prevent implantation of the fertilized ovum in the uterus. This decoction is also used as a gargle in the treatment of toothache. The seed contains furanocoumarins (including bergapten), which stimulate pigment production in skin that is exposed to bright sunlight. as a result of this , they reputedly have been used to treat vitiligo and have been used to treat psoriasis . They help to calm the digestive system and have been used to treat asthma and angina.