Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis) has a long history of use in traditional European herbal medicine for supporting liver and gallbladder function. Traditional herbalists have used fumitory to address "sluggish" gallbladders, promote bile flow, and help with digestive complaints related to bile insufficiency. The herb contains isoquinoline alkaloids, such as protopine, and fumaric acid, which are believed to contribute to its choleretic (increasing bile flow) and antispasmodic effects. Historical texts, including those from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, reference fumitory as a remedy for "biliousness" and skin conditions thought to be related to bile disturbances.

In modern herbal practice, fumitory is sometimes recommended when the gallbladder has been removed (cholecystectomy) to support liver and bile duct function, though this use is based primarily on traditional knowledge and some extrapolation of its choleretic properties. Scientific studies directly evaluating fumitory for gallbladder conditions, especially in humans, are limited. A few pharmacological studies have demonstrated increased bile secretion in animals, but clinical trials are lacking. Thus, while there is a foundation in historical and folk use, scientific validation remains weak, and its use should be approached with caution, especially in people with existing liver or bile duct disease.