BISHOP'S WEED: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Bishop's weed is a flowering plant. The seeds are used to make medicine.

Bishop's weed is used for asthma, chest pain (angina), kidney stones, a skin disorder that causes white patches to develop on the skin (vitiligo), and scaly, itchy skin (psoriasis), but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Be careful not to confuse bishop's weed (Ammi majus) with its more commonly used relative, khella (Ammi visnaga).

How does it work ?

Bishop's weed contains several chemicals that can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight.

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with BISHOP'S WEED
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Bishop's weed might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking bishop's weed along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking bishop's weed, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver.

Some medications changed by the liver include lovastatin (Mevacor), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), fexofenadine (Allegra), triazolam (Halcion), and many others.
Medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight (Photosensitizing drugs) interacts with BISHOP'S WEED
Some medications can increase sensitivity to sunlight. Bishop's weed might also increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Taking bishop's weed along with medication that increases sensitivity to sunlight could increase the chances of sunburn, blistering, or rashes on areas of skin exposed to sunlight. Be sure to wear sunblock and protective clothing when spending time in the sun.

Some drugs that cause photosensitivity include amitriptyline (Elavil), Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), ofloxacin (Floxin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), gatifloxacin (Tequin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Septra), tetracycline, methoxsalen (8-methoxypsoralen, 8-MOP, Oxsoralen), and Trioxsalen (Trisoralen).
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with BISHOP'S WEED
Bishop's weed might slow blood clotting. Taking bishop's weed along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.

Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

View References

REFERENCES:

Dollahite, J. W., Younger, R. L., and Hoffman, G. O. Photosensitization in cattle and sheep caused by feeding Ammi majus (greater Ammi; Bishop's-Weed). Am J Vet.Res 1978;39(1):193-197. View abstract.

EL MOFTY, A. M. Observations on the use of Ammi majus Linn. In vitiligo. Br J Dermatol 1952;64(12):431-441. View abstract.

EL MOFTY, A. M., el Sawalhy, H., and el Mofty, M. Clinical study of a new preparation of 8-methoxypsoralen in photochemotherapy. Int J Dermatol 1994;33(8):588-592. View abstract.

Kavli, G. and Volden, G. Phytophotodermatitis. Photodermatol. 1984;1(2):65-75. View abstract.

Singh, U. P., Singh, D. P., Maurya, S., Maheshwari, R., Singh, M., Dubey, R. S., and Singh, R. B. Investigation on the phenolics of some spices having pharmacotherapeuthic properties. J Herb.Pharmacother. 2004;4(4):27-42. View abstract.

Abdel-Fattah A, Aboul-Enein MN, Wassel GM, El-Menshawi BS. An approach to the treatment of vitiligo by khellin. Dermatologica 1982;165:136-40. View abstract.

Ahsan SK, Tariq M, Ageel AM, et al. Effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum and Ammi majus on calcium oxalate urolithiasis in rats. J Ethnopharmacol 1989;26:249-54. View abstract.

Bethea D, Fullmer B, Syed S, et al. Psoralen photobiology and photochemotherapy: 50 years of science and medicine. J Dermatol Sci 1999;19:78-88. View abstract.

Bourinbaiar AS, Tan X, Nagorny R. Inhibitory effect of coumarins on HIV-1 replication and cell-mediated or cell-free viral transmission. Acta Virol 1993;37:241-50.

Chevallier A. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, NY: DK Publ, Inc., 2000.

Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases. Available at: https://www.ars-grin.gov/duke/.

Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines. 1st ed. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corp., 1999.

Hamerski D, Schmitt D, Matern U. Induction of two prenyltransferases for the accumulation of coumarin phytoalexins in elicitor-treated Ammi majus cell suspension cultures. Phytochemistry 1990;29:1131-5. View abstract.

Harvengt C, Desager JP. HDL-cholesterol increase in normolipaemic subjects on khellin: a pilot study. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1983;3:363-6. View abstract.

Kiistala R, Makinen-Kiljunen S, Heikkinen K, et al. Occupational allergic rhinitis and contact urticaria caused by bishop's weed (Ammi majus). Allergy 1999;54:635-9. View abstract.

Malhotra S, Bailey DG, Paine MF, Watkins PB. Seville orange juice-felodipine interaction: comparison with dilute grapefruit juice and involvement of furocoumarins. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2001;69:14-23. View abstract.

Osher HL, Katz KH, Wagner DJ. Khellin in the treatment of angina pectoris. N Engl J Med 1951;244:315-21. View abstract.

Ossenkoppele PM, van der Sluis WG, van Vloten WA. [Phototoxic dermatitis following the use of Ammi majus fruit for vitiligo]. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 1991;135:478-80. View abstract.

Shlosberg A, Egyed MN. Examples of poisonous plants in Israel of importance to animals and man. Arch Toxicol Suppl 1983;6:194-6. . View abstract.

Tritrungtasna O, Jerasutus S, Suvanprakorn P. Treatment of alopecia areata with khellin and UVA. Int J Dermatol 1993;32:690. View abstract.

Understanding Heartburn: The Basics

Chronic Conditions Common in Minorities

Think You Have a Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

Navigating Life With Migraine

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS CENTER

DRUGS AND MEDICATIONS CENTER

FIRST AID RESOURCES

RELATED TO VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS

BISHOP'S WEED - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Overview

How does it work ?

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Insufficient Evidence for

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with BISHOP'S WEED

Medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight (Photosensitizing drugs) interacts with BISHOP'S WEED

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with BISHOP'S WEED

Dosing

You Might Also Like

Health Solutions

More from WebMD