Chamomile
CHAMOMILE
Matricaria chamomilla
Common Name
Chamomile, camomile, German chamomile, Hungarian chamomile, manzanilla, scented mayweed, sweet false chamomile, true chamomile, wild chamomile
Family
Asteraceae/Daisy
Chinese Medicine Name
None
Ayurvedic Name
None
Parts Used
Flower head
Actions
Energetics
Cooling and drying
Edible Uses
Chamomile flowers may be eaten but they are more often used for making an apple-like flavored tea. Chamomile has a bitter taste making a beneficial carminative in a salad in preparation for a larger meal.
Native To
Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, North Africa
Geographic Distribution
Asia, Australia, Europe, India, New Zealand, North America, and South America, North Africa
Botanical Description & Identification
Chamomile has a hollow, yellow, cone shaped, receptacle which appears very similar to the daisy. Its petals are white which often display themselves pointing downwards, with the cone being the top of the flower. Each chamomile flower has its own stem and comes with a fruity scent when rubbed into hands, making it easy to identify amongst similar flowers in the wild. Chamomile thrives in in the wild or in the garden and can grow between 2-3 feet in height. German chamomile and English chamomile can be differentiated by looking at their stems as the former will appear a bit feathery while the latter does not. German chamomile's leaves are also thinner and smaller than that of English chamomile. Chamomile thrives in more wet, damp, or moist conditions and less so in excessive heat or dry weather.
Key Constituents
Coumarins, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, volatile oils, sesquiterpenes, amino acids, anthemic acid, choline, polysaccharides, fatty acids
Sustainability Issues
None known
Harvesting Guidelines
Chamomile is best harvested during its peak blooming season (spring through summer). It will continuously form new flowers, over about a two month period. It is best to harvest chamomile once the morning dew has evaporated, but before the real heat of the day has begun, as the flower will be naturally be in its optimal state. It is important to note that harvesting chamomile too early in the season will only produce immature flowers while harvesting too late may result in a flower that too easily falls apart while drying, making more of a powdered form of the herb. Medicinally its properties will still be intact however.
Uses
**BENEFITS OF CHAMOMILE:
Chamomile is known to:
*Reduce inflammation
*Reduce gas
*reduce stomach bloat
*Reduce the effects of sunburn
*Mend wounds
*Calm and sedate the mind and body
*Warm the body
*Reduce eye inflammation
*Reduce swelling
*Ease aches & pains
*Reduce colic
*Promote restful sleep
*Aid with insect bites
*Ease joint pain
*Reduce itching
*Reduce headaches
*Calm and mend rashes
Chamomile is useful in the following more common disorders and diseases:
Abrasions, inflammations, eczema, acne, swollen gums, burns, fever, , colic, teething, hemorrhoids, earaches, depression, anxiety, asthma, allergies, IBS, Crohn's disease, muscle tension including headaches, pink-eye, bronchitis, whooping cough, congestion, rash
Most common uses:
Chamomile is usually the first herb given to babies to settle distress associated with colic and teething. It is also commonly used to calm the mind, body, and skin whenever agitation arrises is skin products and as tea.
Fun Facts:
Chamomile is:
* An herb which attracts regular pollinators to the garden
* A tasty addition to herbal lemonade or sorbets
* Derived from the Greek term 'khamaimēlon' meaning “ground apple” referring
to its distinctive fruity scent.
* An herb that predates written history—chamomile, along with yarrow (Achillea
millefolium), was found in scrapings from 50,000-year-old Neanderthal teeth
discovered in northern Spain (Hardy et al., 2012).
* Related to the ragweed.
* Sometimes used in wine preparations.
References
Glenn, L. (2012, February 29). History of arnica and nettle. American Botanical Council. https://www.herbalgram.org/resources/herbclip/herbclip-news/2012/history-of-arnica-and-nettle/
Hardy, K., Buckley, S., Collins, M.J., Estalrrich, A., Brothwell, D., Copeland, L., … Rosas, A. (2012). Neanderthal medics? Evidence for food, cooking, and medicinal plants entrapped in dental calculus. Die Naturwissenschaften, 99(8), 617–626.
Hoffman, D. (1987). The Herbal Handbook: A User's Guide to Medical Herbalism.
McIntyre, A. (2019). The Complete Herbal Tutor: The Definitive Guide to the
Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine. Wood, M. (2008).
The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants
The Herbal Academy Herbarium and Materia Medica. Copyright: The Herbal Academy.
Safety
Chamomile is generally considered safe when taken within the suggested dose and is a gentle herb suitable for children, and during pregnancy and lactation. People allergic to plants in the Ragweed or Asteraceae/Daisy family should try first with slow caution.
Dose
May be used topically or as a tea when necessary. Internal tincture dosage will vary from one individual to another.
Studies and Research:
Chamomile: A Herbal Medicine of the Past with Bright Future
A Comprehensive Study of Therapeutic Applications of Chamomile
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MONOGRAPHS
According to the FDA herbal education may not be linked to any product for marketing purposes and may not make claims to treat, prevent, or cure any disease. Because of this it must be stated that the information provided in the monograph section of this website is for general educational purposes only and not to be taken as medical advice, nor is it meant to make claims that the products listed in the Apothecary with the above ingredients will cure, treat, or prevent any disease.
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