Find out more about the botanical characteristics of khella

Known by its scientific name “Ammi visnaga”, khella is an annual plant in the Apiaceae family. It is a hardy plant that averages between 20 and 80 cm in height, but can sometimes reach 1 m in height. It can be recognized by its vigorous, hairless, slender stem, adorned with saw-toothed leaves. Khella blooms in summer, between July and September to be precise, and produces small white umbel-shaped flowers. The plant’s flowers give off a strong scent that attracts many beneficial insects and pollinators. They have rigid stalks that were sometimes used as toothpicks, hence the plant’s nickname. After flowering, khella produces achene fruits called mericarps, which are tiny and very bitter.

Khella likes sandy, well-drained soil. It grows spontaneously in wasteland, pastures and clay crops. It is generally found in North Africa, North America, Australia, the Near East and the Mediterranean basin. In France, khella grows mainly in the South, Drôme, Languedoc-Roussillon and the West, notably in Charente-Maritime, Gironde and Landes.

The many benefits of khella for the human body

Distinguished by its small white flowers in bunches, khella is a first-rate ornamental plant. In particular, it is highly prized for enhancing gardens inspired by nature and the wild. But this plant also plays an important role in phytotherapy and aromatherapy. Packaged in herbal tea or essential oil form, khella offers numerous beneficial effects for the body. In herbal medicine, khella fruits are used in particular. Thanks to their chemical composition, they provide numerous benefits. Among other things, they contain sterols, flavonoids and furanochromones, notably khelline and visnadine. These active ingredients give them antispasmodic, spasmolytic and coronary vasodilator properties. In essential oil form, khella is reputed to be a powerful antiasthmatic and antibacterial agent. Khella essential oil is also effective for calming spasms. Rich in esters, it has a relaxing action and prevents the release of excitatory mediators. It thus promotes relaxation of the body’s smooth muscles, helping to prevent and combat spasms. It can also have a relaxing effect. Khella essential oil also contains coumarins, which inhibit the activity of certain blood clotting factors. It can also act as a circulatory tonic.

How to use khella for daily care?

Today, you can find khella fruit tea and khella essential oil in your usual shops. But if you want to be sure of the origin of your products, buy from specialized shops such as herbalists. To make khella tea, simply add 0.5 g of khella fruit to a cup of boiling water. Leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes, then strain before drinking. Khella tea is not very effective in the event of an asthma attack, but it can be a great help in longterm treatment.

If you prefer essential oil, mix 1 or 2 drops of essential oil with 9 drops of vegetable oil. Then massage the oily preparation into the thorax and solar plexus in the event of an asthma attack, cough or bronchitis. Care should be taken when using khella essential oil, and it should never be ingested due to its toxicity. Nor should it be inhaled during an asthma attack. Care must also be taken when using it on the skin, as it is known to be photosensitizing. In all cases, it is contraindicated for pregnant and breast-feeding women, as well as young children. As khella essential oil contains certain allergenic components, it should be tested before use. To do so, place 2 drops in the crook of the elbow for at least 24 hours to ensure that no reaction occurs. Always seek professional advice before use.