Just imagine taking a leisurely stroll in a meadow and finding the amazing Ammi.

A delicate little flower that looks like an exploding firework.

A beautiful flower that not only looks just gorgeous by itself but also compliments the beauty of flowers it can be arranged with.

Isn’t it just wonderful the Ammi, with no pretension, can enhance and delight. Without ostentation, the amazing Ammi works its magic on us.

MS Guardio is writing a series of short articles about the healing properties some plants, flowers and foods at this time of pandemic and national crisis. 

There are two common types of ammi –  Ammi majus and Ammi visnaga. They seemingly intertwine betwixt and between. In terms of their medicinal properties and benefits they are quite different.

The amazing Ammi majus has many names including lace flower and Queen Anne’s lace and bishop’s weed to name but a few. These names are hardly surprising when lace is both delicate and hardwearing, a delight to behold but holding a practical purpose. So don’t be fooled by it fragile appearance, the Ammi is incredibly hardy.

Don’t be sad if, when putting your nose to the amazing Ammi, there is no scent. This flower doesn’t relinquish a delectable smell but what it lacks in scent it more than makes up for in a feast for our eyes!

The Ammi name is derived from the Greek word ammos meaning sand. More than likely pertaining to its natural habitat, warm North Africa.

The healing power of amazing Ammi

Fairly little is known about the health benefits of this fabulous flower. But fear not, studies and research are being carried out so we can use the amazing ammi to our benefit.

Ammi visnaga

Ammi visnaga has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of renal colic, mild anginal symptoms, treatment of abdominal cramps.  More specifically, it contains khellin which promotes the widening of blood vessels, one of its more well known health benefits. In some cultures it has been used as an antidiabetic agent.

It can be used to reduce inflammation of the skin and can also be used to help treat psoriasis and alopecia areata, a form of hair loss.

Studies have shown Ammi visnaga to have the following efficasies:

• anti-inflammatory
• antimicrobial
• hypertension

In particular, it was found that It was found that an injection of visnagin lowered blood pressure without affecting the heart rate.

Ammi visnaga was used by the ancient Egyptians to treat Vitiligo, a condition that causes white patches, in varying shapes and sizes, on the surface of the skin. Later studies have shown that in a test setting, a small number of participants showed a repigmentation of their skin after using Ammi visnaga consistently for three months.

Ammi majus benefits

Amazing Ammi majus has been used in folk medicine for hundreds of years. In recent years, Ammi majus has been studied as having amazing anticancer properties. Indeed it seems that it has high efficacy in reducing cancerous tumours.

Amazing Ammi majus extracts have been shown to have antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidant properties, and to have a relaxant effect, cardiovascular effect, hypotensive and so on. The aerial parts is used to treat skin problems, psoriasis and vitiligo.

Ammi majus 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). The prescription drug methoxsalen used to treat psoriasis, eczema, and some other skin disorders used to be made from Ammi majus, but more scientific research needs to be done.

The amazing ammi is certainly trying to come into its own in the world of medicine. Watch this space!

Amazing Ammi visnaga is more closely packed and forms a dome-like shape

Grow amazing Ammi in your garden

Growing the amazing ammi majus is surprisingly easy. If you want a country cottage feeling to your borders this is most definitely the flower for you.

It seems prudent to sow indoors to start. Sprinkle the seeds in trays on top of the soil and then lightly dust with a further layer of soil. Ammi seeds are tiny so ensure you only use a very small amount on the top of them else they will struggle to break through. Germination should take about 1-4 weeks and you should always try to keep at a temperature between 13-18 degrees before then planting out in spring and after the last frost.

If you haven’t quite got to grips planting them at this time, don’t despair, you can plant out in August or September for a bumper crop the following year. Keep an eye on watering them in the dryer summer months. Ammi loves the sunshine but does not like to be too dry so ensure they are well watered but in well drained soil.

The amazing Ammi will grow fairly tall if planted in August/ September, between about 1-3 metres. It is therefore wise to consider staking before they get too tall and droop over. If you want that magazine perfect border, you definitely don’t want them falling over!! If you plant in spring, flowers will be a little smaller and more likely to resist having a little lay down!

Also have a look out for Ammi’s number one fan, the Common Red Soldier Beetle. They sound a little terrifying but will bring an interesting insect to your garden that you may not have seen before. These little troopers will also benefit the rest of your garden by eating those slimy pests, the slug!

Carefully goes it!

The sap of amazing Ammi can be a little nasty so make sure not to allow it to come into contact with your skin, it can cause a painful rash.

As always, consult your doctor when considering using Ammi in its various forms as it can be potent and, if used incorrectly, impactful on your health.

MS Guardio has also written about the healing properties of the oregano.

Enjoy the healing power of amazing Ammi

To look at the amazing Ammi, it is sure to bring a lightness and freshness to your day.

Its delicacy and pureness will calm your senses and transport you to a daydreamy moment filled with peace.

Some foods are natural antiviral agents