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Information about the herb German Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla, also known as Wild Chamomile is part of the Compositae plant family. A
southern European annual found wild beside roads and fields and is cultivated
in gardens.
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General Information
Botanical Name: Matricaria chamomilla, Matricaria recutita
Plant Family: Compositae
Common name: German Chamomile, Chamomilla, Field Chamomile, Kamille, 'Mother of the Gut', Pin HeadsScented Mayweed, Single Chamomile, True Chamomile, Wild Chamomile
History: The word Chamomile is derived from the Greek word 'chamai' meaning 'on the ground' and 'melon', meaning 'apple', because Chamomile has an apple-like smell. Matricaria comes from the Latin 'mater' meaning 'mother', as the herb is for female disorders.
The ancient Egyptians dedicated Chamomile to the Sun God because of its fever-reducing effect.
Tradition: In wiccan mythology Chamomile is:
- Added to a ritual bath to attract love
- Added to incense to produce a relaxed state for meditation
- Used in prosperity charms to attract money
- Used to induce sleep when burned alone
- Used to remove curses and bad spells
Plant Constituents of German Chamomile
Contains:
- bitter extractive
- tannic acid
- volatile oil
Action:
- anodyne [an agent that soothes or relieves pain]
- anti-inflammatory [an agent to ease inflammation]
- antiseptic [an agent for destroying or inhibiting pathogenic or putrefactive bacteria]
- antiphlogistic [an agent which reduces inflammation]
- antispasmodic [ an agent that relieves or checks spasms or cramps]
- calmative [an agent that has a mild sedative or tranquilizing effect]
- carminative [an agent for expelling gas from the intestines]
- diaphoretic [an agent that produces perspiration]
- emollient [an agent used externally to soften and soothe]
- nervine [an agent that has a calming or soothing effect on the nerves; any agent that acts on the nervous system to restore the nerves to their natural state]
- sedative [a soothing agent that reduces nervousness, distress or irritation]
- tonic [an agent that strengthens or invigorates organs or the entire organism]
Medicinal Parts Used: Flowers
Internally Chamomile is used for:
Brain and Nervous Conditions
- highly strung or hypersensitive people
- infantile convulsions
- insomnia
- many nervous conditions
- nerves
- nerve sedative
- neuralgia
- paralyzed limbs
- relaxes the nervous system
- soothes anxiety and stress
The tea is also beneficial:
- to calm the body
- for inducing sleep in insomniac conditions
Female Conditions
- cessation of menstrual flow
- cramps
- menstrual disorders
- painful menstruation
The tea is also beneficial:
- for menstrual cramps
Gastro-intestinal Conditions
- a tonic upon the gastro-intestinal canal
- diarrhea
- digestive system affected by nervous tension
- dyspepsia
- facilitates bowel movement without acting directly as a purgative
- flatulence
- gastritis
- griping pains
- relaxes an overactive stomach
- relieves indigestion
- soothes gastric irritation
- stimulates an under-active digestion
- stomach aches
- stomach disorders
Genitourinary Conditions
- dissolves kidney stones
- inability to pass urine
Inflammatory Conditions
- reduces inflammation
- rheumatic pains
- rheumatic problems
Male Conditions
- inflammation of the testes
Respiratory Tract Conditions
allergic
asthma
alleviates symptoms of a cold
sinus troubles
strong congestion
Other
- disorders of the spleen
- exhaustion after severe illness
- fever
- lumbago
- tiredness of limbs
- toothache
Chamomile tea is very useful for children's ailments and is used for babies and small children with:
- colds
- infantile convulsions
- stomach troubles
- teething problems
and for calming an overactive or over-excitable child
Externally Chamomile is used as a wash or lotion for:
- brightening the eyes
- conjunctivitis
- firming the tissues
- inflamed eyes
- inflammation of mucous tissue
- keeping the skin young-looking
- moist and itching skin eruptions
- rashes
- skin problems
- wounds
It is used as a vaporizer:
- for asthma in children
- for irritation and inflammation in the respiratory tract
- for sinusitis
- to relieve symptoms of a cold
As a bath for:
- aching joints
- hemorrhoids (Sitz Bath)
- ill bladder (compress of flowers)
- muscular aches
- neuralgia
- sweaty hands or feet (hand or foot bath)
- weariness
Chamomile Oil is used externally:
- for dental caries
- for massaging overstrained or cramped muscles
- for neuralgia
- for pain in the ear canal
- for pain of rheumatism
- for paralyzed limbs
- to firm the tissues
- to keep the skin young-looking
Other Uses:
- bath herbs
- face lotions
- grown in gardens to keep away harmful insects
- hair shampoos
- potpourri
- yellow hair dye for blondes
Drug Interactions:
Do not use Roman Chamomile without first talking to your practitioner or healthcare provider if you taking any of the following medications:
- None known
Global Herbal Supplies has Chamomile available in the following forms
Information given by our website is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. You should not use the information given for diagnosing a health problem or disease. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. The above information is just a guide to general circumstances and in no way should it contradict the advice that you have been given by your naturopath, medical doctor or specialist.
