Ø  Chamomile:

Chamomile is traditional use for Anxiety or nervousness, caffeine-withdrawal headache, candida, colic, convulsions, crankiness in infants, diverticulitis, dyspepsia, fever, flatulence, gastritis, gout, headache, heartburn, hives, hyperactivity, hysteria, indigestion or general digestive distress, insomnia, intestinal cramping, irritability, irritable bowel, liver stress, lumbago, menstrual cramps, migraines, morning sickness, overactive bladder, pain, restlessness, rheumatism, sciatica, teething, ulcers

§      Warning: No known interactions.

∞      Botanical name:   

Chamomiles Common – Anthemis nobilis (LINN.) A Modern Herbal

Chamomile German – Matricaria chamomilla (LINN.)  A Modern Herbal

Chamomile Stinking – Anthemis cotula (LINN.) A Modern Herbal

True Chamomile Roman – Anthemis nobilis A Modern Herbal; Anthemis nobilis, commonly known as Roman Chamomile, Chamomile, garden chamomile, ground apple, low chamomile, or whig plant, is a low European perennial plant found in dry fields and around gardens and cultivated grounds. Wikipedia.org

∞      Chinese Botanical name:

---Synonyms--- Roman Chamomile: as Roman Camomile, Chamomile, garden camomile, ground apple, low chamomile, or Whig plant,

---Synonyms--- Common Chamomile: Manzanilla (Spanish); Maythen (Saxon).

---Synonyms--- German Chamomile: Wild Chamomile.

---Synonyms--- Stinking Chamomile: Mayweed; Maruta Cotula; Dog Chamomile; Maruta Foetida; Dog-Fennel.

---Part Used--- Both single and double flowers are used in medicine.

---Cultivation--- The flowers of both species of chamomile (M. recutita and C. nobile) are daisy like, with yellow centers and white ray petals,  German chamomile, native to Europe but naturalized North America, is an annual herb, taller than the Roman variety (growing to one to two feet in height), with pinnate leaves.  It has a hollow disc in the center of its flower, which helps to identify it.  German chamomile prefers moderate watering and full sun to partial shade; it will grow in a wide variety of soil types.

Roman chamomile, native to southern Europe, is a perennial low-growing plant with finely divided, double pinnate leaves.  It prefers full sun to partial shade, moderate watering, and well-drained soil.  It makes an excellent ground cover; as one old saying goes, “Like a chamomile bed, the more it is trodden, the more it will spread.”

---Physiological Character--- Analgesic, anodyne, antibacterial, antifungal, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, emetic (in large doses), febrifuge, nervine, sedative, stomachic, tonic, vulnerary

---Description--- Appetizing Tonic; Carminative; Diarrhea in Children;Dropsy; Dye to lighten Hair; Enema; used as an Emmenagogue; Gout; Heartburn; Hysterical; Inflammatory Pain or Congested Neuralgia; Intestinal Canal; Jaundice; Loss of Appetite; Morning Sick; Menstrual Cramps; Neuralgia; Nervous Affections; Ordinary Indigestion (Flatulent Colic); Periodic Headache; External Swelling; Sedative and Tonic; Stop Smoking.

Tonic; Achic; Anodyne; Antispasmodic, Chamomile is prepared in a decoction, infusion, extract and oil.

---Parts Used Medicinally---The whole plant is odoriferous and of value, but the quality is chiefly centered in the flower-heads or capitula, the part employed medicinally, the herb itself being used in the manufacture of herb beers.

Both single and double flowers are used in medicine. It is considered that the curative properties of the single, wild Chamomile are the more powerful, as the chief medical virtue of the plant lies in the central disk of yellow florets, and in the cultivated double form the white florets of the ray are multiplied, while the yellow centre diminishes. The powerful alkali contained to so much greater extent in the single flowers is, however, liable to destroy the coating of the stomach and bowels, and it is doubtless for this reason that the British Pharmacopeia directs that the 'official' dried Chamomile flowers shall be those of the double, cultivated variety.

The double-flowered form was already well known in the sixteenth century. It was introduced into Germany from Spain about the close of the Middle Ages.

Chamomile was largely cultivated before the war in Belgium, France and Saxony and also in England, chiefly in the famous herb growing district of Mitcham. English flower heads are considered the most valuable for distillation of the oil, and during the war the price of English and foreign Chamomile reached an exorbitant figure.

The 'Scotch Chamomile' of commerce is the Single or Wild Chamomile, the yellow tubular florets in the centre of the head being surrounded by a variable number of white, ligulate or strap-shaped ray florets. The 'English Chamomile' is the double form, with all or nearly all the florets white and ligulate. In both forms the disk or receptacle is solid and conical, densely covered with chaffy scales, and both varieties, but especially the single, have a strong aromatic odour and a very bitter taste.

---Medicinal Action and Uses--- Common Chamomile is considered a preventive and the sole certain remedy for nightmare. It will cut short an attack of delirium tremens in the early stage. It has sometimes been employed in intermittent fevers.  The Chamomile should not be allowed to steam off for the oils are needed.

Chamomile flowers are recommended as a tonic for swollen with an excessive accumulation of fluid complaints it has diuretic and tonic properties, and are also combined with an agent that promotes sweating.

The whole herb is used chiefly for making herb beers, but also for a lotion, for external application in toothache, earache, neuralgia, etc.

Chamomile moves chi, relaxes the nerves, reduces inflammation, clears toxins, and promotes tissue repair.  Part of its anti-inflammatory activity may be due to its ability to inhibit the metabolism of arachidonic acid.  It can help restore an exhausted nervous system and is indispensable for calming the mind and relaxing the nerves in times of stress.  In-vitro studies indicate chamomile has activity against E. coli, streptococcus, and staphylococcus bacteria.  It is considered an excellent children’s herb.

Topically, chamomile can be used as a bath herb to relieve stress, nourish dry skin, and calm cranky children.  Used in a sitz bath, chamomile can aid in the treatment of hemorrhoids.  It is used as a hair rinse for highlighting and conditioning blond hair.  Chamomile is excellent in compresses and salves for the treatment of skin inflammations, including burns, eczema, psoriasis, insect bites, and external ulcers and to accelerate wound healing.  It can be used as a gargle to soothe a sore throat, as a mouthwash o treat gingivitis, as a poultice to relieve a toothache, and as an eyewash to treat conjunctivitis and sties.  Stuffed into a bed pillow, chamomile aids sleep.

---Constituents--- Calcium, magnesium, iodine, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin B2, choline, essential oils (bisabolol, levomenol, sesquiterpene lactone (nobilin), coumarins, salicylates

---Flavor--- The flavor of chamomile flower tea is delicate, soothing, slightly sweet, and pleasantly bitter; German chamomile is slightly sweeter than the Roamn variety.  The tea’s aroma is reminiscent of that of apples, and its energy is neutral (in temperature) and moistening.  Chamomile has long been one of the most popular herbal teas in Europe, where it is sometimes served in hospitals to calm patients.  Europeans often take their chamomile tea with a bit of milk, which also has calming properties.  AS chamomile tea aids in digestion, it is often enjoyed after meals.  The addition of ginger to the tea enhances its digestive-aiding properties and also imparts a spicy flavor.

Chamomile flowers should be steeped no longer than three to five minutes to prevent the development of a bitter flavor.  Flowers that have been steeped more than seven minutes can sometimes effect nausea in the consumer.

---Contraindications--- Some people, especially those sensitive to ragweed, are severely allergic to chamomile.  The herb can cause contact dermatitis in others.  Roman chamomile is more likely to cause an allergic reaction than the German variety.  On the other hand, chamomile is sometimes used to treat allergies. Use the herb with caution the first time you try it.  Otherwise, chamomile is considered very safe.

  ---References--- “Herbal Medicine – The Natural way to Get Well and Stay Well” by – Dian Dincin Buchman, PhD, Copyright 1979, 1996, ISBN: 0-517-14767-x, Page 2, 14-17, 31, 121, 139, 145-146, 162, 165, 168, 190, 192, 193, 202, 206, 252

  ---References--- A Modern Herbal

  ---References--- Wikipedia.org

  ---References--- The Healing Herbs – The Ultimate Guide to the Curative Power of Nature’s Medicines” by – Michael Castleman;  Copyright 1991;  ISBN: 0-87857-934-6;  Page:  72 – 74

  ---References--- “Nutritional Herbology” A Reference Guide to Herbs By – Mark Pedersen ISBN: 1-885653-07-7 Copyright 2008

  ---References--- “Healing Herbal Teas” A Complete Guide to Making Delicious, Healthful Beverages.  By – Brigitte Mars, A.H.G. ISBN - 13: 978-59120-110-6 and ISBN – 10: 1-59120-110-1 Copyright 2006

  ---References---

  ---References---

∞      Recipe: Combined Chamomile with ginger and alkalies, the cold infusion (made with 1/2 oz. of flowers to 1 pint of water) proves an excellent stomachic in cases of ordinary indigestion, such as flatulent colic, heartburn, loss of appetite, sluggish state of the intestinal canal, and also in gout and periodic headache, and is an appetizing tonic.

∞      Recipe: Tisane tea – Digestion: Prepare Chamomile flowers in an infusion, 1 to 2 tablespoon of flower to a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes.

§ [A tisane, ptisan or herbal "tea" is any herbal infusion other than from the leaves of the tea bush (Camellia sinensis). The English word "tisane" originated from the Greek word πτισάνη (ptisanē), a drink made from pearl barley. Tisanes can be made with fresh or dried flowers, leaves, seeds or roots, generally by pouring boiling water over the plant parts and letting them steep for a few minutes. Seeds and roots can also be boiled on a stove. The tisane is then strained, sweetened if so desired, and served. Many companies produce herbal tea bags for such infusions.]

∞      Recipe: Tisane tea – Stomachache: Prepare Chamomile flowers in a weak infusion, 1 to 2 tablespoon of flower to a cup of boiling water for 5 minutes or less.

∞      Recipe: Tisane tea – Diarrhea: Prepare Chamomile flowers in an infusion with honey, 1 to 2 tablespoon of flower to a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes.

∞      Recipe: Tisane tea – Nightmares: Prepare Chamomile flowers in an infusion, 1 to 2 tablespoon of flower to a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes.

∞      Recipe: Tisane tea – Old Age: Prepare Chamomile flowers in an infusion, 30 flowers to a jug of boiling water for 15 minutes and stain.

∞      Recipe: Stuff small bags with chamomile. Infuse them in ¼ cup boiling water, and apply them as hot as possible to the inflammation or neuralgic pain.  This is quite helpful in facial neuralgia, too.

∞      Recipe: Chew chamomile flowers to stop smoking.

∞      Recipe: Chamomile Wine [To settle the stomach] – 1 bottle of white wine or Madeira red wine, 1 handful of chamomile flowers, Add the flowers to the wine, Steep for a week to ten days.  Strain.  Use in tablespoon doses to settle the stomach.  Chamomile flowers help to alleviate body spasms and colic.  Dip a folded cloth in the wine and place the compress on abdominal area.