Ingredient
Fumaria Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Fumaria Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract is flagged for pregnancy. The concern behind the strongest flag is absorbed into the body.
- Fumitory Extract
- Earth Smoke Extract
- Common Fumitory Extract
Verdict by profile
Truva checks every ingredient against six profiles. Jump to any of them for the full assessment.
- Strongest verdict
- Caution Advised
- Its verdict for pregnancy, the profile this one is worst in
- Profiles flagged
- 1 of 6
- Counting avoid, high risk and medium risk
- Irritancy
- 2 of 5
- Higher means more likely to sting or redden
Fumaria Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract and pregnancy
Caution Advised
- Absorbed into the body
Fumaria officinalis, known as fumitory or earth smoke, is a traditional medicinal plant containing various alkaloids including protopine and fumarine. In cosmetics, it's used for its skin-soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, particularly for conditions like eczema and psoriasis. The concern during pregnancy relates to the alkaloid content of fumitory. While the plant has been used traditionally in herbal medicine, some alkaloids can have systemic effects when absorbed. Oral use of fumitory is discouraged during pregnancy by herbalists due to lack of safety data and the theoretical risk that alkaloids could affect fetal development. While topical use in cosmetics involves lower doses and different absorption than medicinal oral use, comprehensive safety studies for pregnancy are lacking. Medical herbalists and many healthcare providers recommend avoiding fumitory preparations during pregnancy due to insufficient safety data and the presence of bioactive alkaloids. While topical cosmetic concentrations are likely much lower risk than medicinal doses, the precautionary principle suggests choosing well-studied soothing alternatives during pregnancy.
Fumaria Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract and breastfeeding
Safe to Use
Fumaria officinalis extract used topically in cosmetics presents low concerns for breastfeeding mothers. While oral medicinal doses of fumitory are approached with caution during lactation, topical application in cosmetic products involves much smaller quantities and primarily local effects on the skin. The alkaloid content that raises concerns for oral use is less problematic with topical application, as absorption through intact skin is limited. The anti-inflammatory and soothing properties can be beneficial for postpartum skin conditions without significant risk of affecting breast milk or infant health. Lactation experts generally consider topical botanical extracts safe for breastfeeding mothers unless there's specific evidence of harm or significant systemic absorption. For fumaria officinalis in cosmetic concentrations, the risk appears minimal and the soothing benefits may outweigh theoretical concerns.
Fumaria Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract and postpartum
Safe to Use
For postpartum women not breastfeeding, fumaria officinalis extract is safe for topical cosmetic use. The anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties can help address postpartum skin concerns including sensitivity, inflammation, or conditions like eczema that may flare after pregnancy. The extract's traditional use for various inflammatory skin conditions makes it potentially beneficial during the postpartum period when skin is recovering from pregnancy-related changes. Without pregnancy or breastfeeding considerations, the main precaution is for individuals with sensitive skin who may experience mild irritation.
Fumaria Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract and trying to conceive
Safe to Use
For women trying to conceive, fumaria officinalis extract in topical cosmetics presents minimal concerns. While oral medicinal use is avoided during pregnancy, topical cosmetic application involves much lower exposure and primarily local effects without significant systemic absorption. The precautionary approach might suggest transitioning to well-studied alternatives once actively pregnant, but during the TTC phase, topical cosmetic use of fumitory extract is considered low-risk. The same alkaloid concerns that apply to pregnancy are less relevant for pre-conception topical use.
Fumaria Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract and PCOS
Safe to Use
Fumaria officinalis extract does not have known hormonal effects relevant to PCOS management. The ingredient is valued for its anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties, which could benefit inflammatory skin conditions often associated with PCOS, such as acne or seborrheic dermatitis. The alkaloids in fumitory don't interact with androgen or insulin pathways that are central to PCOS. For women managing PCOS-related skin concerns, this extract's anti-inflammatory properties may be helpful without interfering with hormonal balance or PCOS treatments. From a PCOS perspective, fumaria officinalis is a neutral to beneficial ingredient. It provides anti-inflammatory benefits that may help manage skin symptoms without affecting the underlying hormonal condition or metabolic concerns associated with PCOS.
Fumaria Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract and general use
Safe to Use
Fumaria officinalis extract is a botanical ingredient with anti-inflammatory, soothing, and antioxidant properties. For the general public, it's considered safe for topical use in cosmetic products and has a long history of use in traditional medicine for skin conditions. The extract contains alkaloids, flavonoids, and other bioactive compounds that contribute to its therapeutic effects. These properties make it particularly useful for inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne. The anti-inflammatory effects help reduce redness and irritation, while antioxidant compounds protect against environmental damage. Fumitory extract is generally well-tolerated in cosmetic formulations. Some individuals with sensitive skin or plant allergies may experience mild irritation, so patch testing is advisable for first-time users. For most people, this traditional botanical ingredient provides effective anti-inflammatory benefits with minimal risk of adverse reactions.
Everything else flagged for the same profiles
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Where this came from
Truva summarises published guidance from bodies including ACOG, the FDA, the EU SCCS and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. It has no access to your medical history and it is not a substitute for your doctor, dermatologist or midwife. These assessments have not been reviewed by a clinician, and nothing here is a diagnosis or a prescription. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or being treated for PCOS, take the ingredient list to the person looking after you.
Assessment last pulled from the ingredient database on .
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