CHAMOMILE

 

THE FOLLOWING TWO VARIETIES HAVE VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL USES AND WILL BE DISCUSSED TOGETHER.

 

COMMON NAME: 1. GERMAN CHAMOMILE                           2.ROMAN CHAMOMILE/ENGLISH CHAM.

LATIN NAME:       1. Matricaria recutita                                       2. Chamaemelum nobile                    

 

FAMILY: Compositae

 

HISTORY:  Not certain which variety was meant by Dioscorides when he referred to “chamaimelon”.  Ancient Greeks called it ‘ground apple’ because of its smell and in Greek mythology chamomile was one of the nine sacred herbs given to the world by the god, Woden. They called it “maythen”.  German chamomile is similar to Roman chamomile in chemistry but has a less pronounced aroma.  Some herbalists combine the flowers of the two varieties using 2 parts german to 1 part roman. German chamomile has a slightly higher percentage of volatile oil, containing an anti-inflammatory and analgesic that is particularly effective in healing burns and preventing ulceration and infection and it is less bitter as an ingredient in herb teas. Chamomile tea is one of the most popular teas and was immortalized in Beatrix Potter’s “Tale of Peter Rabbit”.

 

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION:  GERMAN CHAMOMILE- sweetly scented annual with much branched stems and finely divided leaves. Small daisylike flowers appear for early summer to autumn.

TYPE: ANNUAL   HEIGHT: 15-60CM      SPREAD: 10-38CM        HARDINESS ZONES: N/A

               

ROMAN CHAMOMILE- mat forming evergreen perennial with aromatic, finely divided leaves up to 5 cm long. Long stalked,solitary lowers with yellow discs and creamy white ray florets appear in summer.

TYPE: PERENNIAL             HEIGHT: 15CM    SPREAD: 45CM                  HARDINESS ZONES: 4-8

 

HABITAT: Indigenous to Europe, Northwest Asia.  Naturalized in North America on wasteland, farmland, gardens.  Cultivated in Central Europe.  Roman chamomile mainly in Europe.  Prefers light well drained soil in full sun. Roman chamomile plants may deteriorate in very cold or wet winters but usually recover.  Roman chamomile is often refereed to as “the plant’s physician” ailing garden plants are supposedly cured by planting chamomile beside them and cut flowers revive and last longer with the addition of chamomile tea to the water, also an infusion of chamomile is said to prevent damping off in seedlings.

 

PROPAGATION: By seed sown  in spring, both varieties or by division of the Roman variety in spring.  German chamomile self seeds readily.

 

PARTS USED: flowers

 

HARVEST: -Flowers are gathered in summer when first fully open and used fresh ,frozen,or dried in infusions, liquid extracts, powders, creams, ointments and skin  and hair care products. Oil distilled from fresh flowers. Dried flowers keep for 1 year only.

 

CONSTITUENTS: volatile oil- main constituent azulene

                                    sesquiterpene lactones of germacranolide type

                                     flavanoids

                                    coumarins

                                    phenolic acids

                                    dicyclic ethers

                                    mucilage

 

 

 

PROPERTIES: carminative, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, aromatic, bitter, choleretic, sedative, antiemetic, diaphoretic, analgesic, antiseptic, vulunery                               

 

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INDICATIONS: “The apparently endless list of conditions it can help, all fall into areas that the relaxing, carminative and anti-inflammatory actions can aid. It is an excellent gentle sedative, useful and safe for children” (HOFFMAN)

 

                anxiety and insomnia

                dyspepsia, gastritis, indigestion and inflammation

                to increase bile secretion and appetite

                for colds to produce sweating

                antiseptic douche

                gargle for aphthous ulcers, gingivitis,sore throats

                compress for cuts,bruises,skin lesions,hemorrhoids

                ointment for insect bites, wounds, itching eczema, anal or vulval                                                               irritation

                as an eyewash for conjunctivitis or eye-strain

                as an inhalant for phlegm, hayfever, asthma, or bronchitis

                the infusion as a hair rinse produces highlights and will lighten fair hair

 

DOSAGE: INFUSION- 2 tsp. Dried herb per cup hot water, three times per day.  To encourage a baby to sleep,                                        put 1-2 cups of strained infusion in the bath water                               

                    INHALATION-  125 ml of flowers boiled in  2 litres of  water,cover head with a towel and inhale steam                                  or you can use 2-3 drops essential oil in warm water, the essential oil is deep blue in colour                                      because of the azulenes it contains.

                   TINCTURE- 2-4 ML t.i.d. or as an EYEWASH- 5-10 drops in warm water

                  

 

COMBINATIONS: for all forms of gastrointestinal inflammation, irritable bowel syndrome, etc - meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) , peppermint (Mentha piperita), marshmallow (Althaea officinalis).

 

CONTRAINDICATIONS/WARNINGS: Do not use the oil in pregnancy as it is a uterine stimulant.  Chamomile causes contact dermatitis in some, especially when fresh and frequently handled.  Compositae  in general are allergenic to some people, this includes other common herbs like dandelion

and echinacea.

 

 

KETTLEBY HERB FARMS@1997                                                                                                 970731CH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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