Khella

Description

Ammi visnaga (syn. Visnaga daucoides, Daucus visnaga) is a species of flowering plant in the carrot family known by many common names, including toothpick-plant,toothpickweed,bisnaga, khella, or sometimes Bishop's weed. It is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, but it can be found throughout the world as an introduced species. This is an erect annual plant growing from a taproot to a maximum height near 80 centimeters. The leaves are up to 20 centimeters long and generally oval to triangular in shape but dissected into many small linear to lance-shaped segments. The inflorescence is a compound umbel of white flowers similar to those of other Apiaceae species. The fruit is a compressed oval-shaped body less than 3 millimeters long. This and other Ammi species are sources of khellin, a diuretic extract. In Egypt, a tea made from the fruit of this species has been used as an herbal remedy for kidney stones. Preparations of Ammi visnaga fruits have also been used for angina pectoris therapy.In Egypt, a tea made from the fruit of this species has been used as an herbal remedy for kidney stones. Preparations of Ammi visnaga fruits have also been used for angina pectoris therapy. Laboratory rat studies show that the extract slows the buildup of calcium oxalate crystals in the kidneys and acts as a diuretic. Its clinical effects in humans are unknown. Ammi is a genus of about six species of summer-flowering plants in the family Apiaceae. They are native to southern Europe, northern Africa and Southwest Asia. They have fern-like leaves and white or cream coloured lace-like flowers borne in branched, rounded umbels.