Gum ammoniac, Gummi-resina ammoniacum, Ammoniac, Ammoniac-plant

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 8 min read

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Article Summary

Ammoniacum, or gum ammoniac, is a gum-resin exuded from the stem of the perennial herb Dorema ammoniacum belonging to Apiaceae ⁄ Umbelliferae (Carrot family). The plant is native to Iran, Central Asia, Afghanistan, Sibiria and northern Russia. Some of the popular common names of the plants include Gum ammoniac, Gummi-resina ammoniacum, Ammoniac, Ammoniac-plant and Ammonium. Ammoniacum is medicinally similar to asafetida and galbanum (from which, however,...

Key Takeaways

This article explains Ammoniacum Facts in simple medical language.
This article explains Ammoniacum Scientific Classification in simple medical language.
This article explains Plant Description in simple medical language.
This article explains Traditional uses and benefits of Ammoniacum in simple medical language.

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Definition

Ammoniacum, or gum ammoniac, is a gum-resin exuded from the stem of the perennial herb Dorema ammoniacum belonging to Apiaceae ⁄ Umbelliferae (Carrot family). The plant is native to Iran, Central Asia, Afghanistan, Sibiria and northern Russia. Some of the popular common names of the plants include Gum ammoniac, Gummi-resina ammoniacum, Ammoniac, Ammoniac-plant and Ammonium. Ammoniacum is medicinally similar to asafetida and galbanum (from which, however, it differs in yielding no umbelliferone) both in regard to the plant which yields it and it’s putative therapeutically effects.

Ammoniacum Facts

Name	Ammoniacum
Scientific Name	Dorema ammoniacum
Native	Iran, Central Asia, Afghanistan, Sibiria and northern Russia
Common Names	Gum ammoniac, Gummi-resina ammoniacum, Ammoniac, Ammoniac-plant, Ammoniakum
Name in Other Languages	English: Ammoniac, Ammoniac-plant, Ammoniakum French: Dorème ammoniac German: Ammoniacum, Ammoniakharzpflanze Italian: Ammoniaco Swedish: Dorema
Plant Growth Habit	Clump-forming perennial plant
Growing Climates	Loess loams in desert areas, dry rocky areas
Plant Size	2½ or 3 meters (8 or 9 ft.)
Leaf	Have tripinnate leaves that are alternate. The elliptic leaflets are petiolate
Flower	Plant produces compound umbels of white five-stellate flowers
Fruit Shape & Size	Achenes
Flavor/ aroma	Faintly fetid, unpleasant odor, which becomes more distinct on heating
Taste	Acrid
Plant Parts Used	Gum resin exuding from the flowering and fruiting stem

Ammoniacum Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Dorema ammoniacum

Rank	Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom	Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
Infrakingdom	Streptophyta (land plants)
Super Division	Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
Division	Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
Sub Division	Spermatophytina (spermatophytes, seed plants, phanérogames)
Class	Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
Sub Class	Rosidae
Super Order	Asteranae
Order	Apiales
Family	Apiaceae ⁄ Umbelliferae (Carrot family)
Genus	Dorema D. Don (dorema)
Species	Dorema ammoniacum D. Don (ammoniakum)
Synonyms	Diserneston gummiferum Jaub. & Spach Diserneston hirsutum Lofius ex I.G.Borshch Dorema gummiferum (Jaub. & Spach) K.M.Korol. Dorema hirsutum Lofius ex I.G.Borshch Ferula ammonifera (D.Don) Oken Peucedanum ammoniacum Baill

Plant Description

Ammoniacum is a clump-forming perennial plant that normally grows about 2½ or 3 meters (8 or 9 ft.) tall. The plant is found growing in loess loams in desert areas and dry rocky areas. The plant has tripinnate leaves that are alternate. The elliptic leaflets are petiolata. The plant produces compound umbels of white five-stellate flowers. Fertile flowers are followed by achene.

Its whole stem is pervaded with a milky juice, which oozes out on an incision being made at any part, which is pressed into blocks and then ground into a powder. This juice speedily hardens into round tears, forming the “tear ammoniacum” of commerce. “Lump ammoniacum”, the other form of the substance, consists of aggregations of tears, frequently incorporating fragments of the plant itself, as well as other foreign bodies.

Ammoniacum has a faintly fetid, unpleasant odor, which becomes more distinct on heating; externally, it possesses a reddish-yellow appearance, and when the tears or lumps are freshly fractured they exhibit a waxy luster. It is chiefly collected in central Persia and comes to the European market by way of Bombay. Internally it is used in conjunction with squills in bronchial affections. In asthma and chronic colds, it is found useful, but it has no advantages over a number of other substances of more constant and active properties.

Traditional uses and benefits of Ammoniacum

Ammoniacum has been used in Western herbal medicine for thousands of years and is still seen as an effective remedy for various complaints of the chest.
Gum resin is found in cavities in the tissues of stems, roots, and petioles.
It often exudes naturally from holes in the stems caused by beetles though this is not as pure as that obtained from the plant tissues.
Resin is antispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, mildly diuretic, expectorant, poultice, stimulant, and vasodilator.
It is often used internally in the treatment of chronic bronchitis (especially in the elderly), asthma, and catarrh.
Externally, it is used as a plaster for swellings of the joints and indolent tumors.
Gum is used as a plaster for white swellings of the joints and for indolent tumors.
Its use is of great antiquity and is mentioned by Hippocrates.
It has been found especially useful in chronic affections of the respiratory organs, especially among the aged, or those in whom the expectoration is scanty, as in cough, asthma, etc.
It has likewise been found advantageous in profuse mucous discharges.
It has also been recommended in hysteria, but is inferior to some other of the fetid gum-resins, as asafetida.
Ammoniacum may be of service in small doses, in the pain in the head or upper neck. সহজ বাংলা: মাথাব্যথা।" data-rx-term="headache" data-rx-definition="Headache means pain in the head or upper neck. সহজ বাংলা: মাথাব্যথা।">headache resulting from disease of the frontal sinuses, in affections of the optic nerve, in catarrhal affections of the throat, nasal passages, eyes, ears and stomach, mucous diarrhea, and in pains in the limbs accompanying disease of more or less of the mucous tissues.
Applied externally in the form of plaster, it irritates the skin, frequently producing a papular eruption.
It is still listed in the British Pharmacopoeia as an antispasmodic and as an expectorant that stimulates the coughing up of thick mucus.
It is a specific treatment for chronic bronchitis, asthma, and persistent coughs.
Ammoniacum is also occasionally used to induce sweating or menstruation.

Other Facts

A medicinal gum or resin called ‘Ammoniacum’ is exuded from insect-damaged stems.
It is also used in perfumery and in porcelain cement as well as for plasters.

Precautions

There are no serious side effects reported till now. However, it is always advisable to use this herb under the supervision of a homeopathic practitioner.
Applied externally in the form of plaster, it irritates the skin, frequently producing a papular eruption.

References

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

Write when the problem started and how it changed.
Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
Basic physical examination by a clinician
CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

Avoid heavy lifting, sudden bending, and prolonged bed rest.
Use comfortable posture and gentle movement as tolerated.
Discuss physiotherapy, X-ray, or MRI only when clinically needed.

OTC medicine safety

For mild back pain, pain-relief medicine may be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist.
Avoid repeated painkiller use if you have kidney disease, stomach ulcer, uncontrolled blood pressure, or are taking blood thinners.

Avoid these mistakes

Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

Back pain with leg weakness, numbness around private area, loss of urine/stool control, fever, cancer history, or major injury needs urgent care.

Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Doctor / qualified healthcare provider

Tests to discuss with doctor

Basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level if needed
Relevant blood, urine, imaging, or specialist tests only after clinical assessment

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
Which tests are really needed now?
Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Go to emergency care if you notice:

Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration

Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.

Step 1
Check danger signs first

If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.
Step 2
Record the symptom story

Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.
Step 3
Visit a qualified clinician

A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.
Step 4
Do only useful tests

Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.
Step 5
Follow up and return early if worse

If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips

Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

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