Chamomiles


Chamomiles

There are three plants called "chamomile" having essential oils of similar aroma and therapeutic qualities. They are all strongly aromatic, herbaceous plants with daisy like, yellow flowers.
An essential first aid remedy in home health care, chamomile
has been one of the most popular medicinal plants for centuries. Of
the two major forms of the herb—German and Roman—German
chamomile is one of the most often used int he United States.

Containing only four species of annuals and evergreen perennials, this small genus is native to Europe and Mediterranean regions and is closely related to Anthemis, Chamomilla, and Matricaria. The name of the genus comes from the Greek chamaimelon, which means "apple on the ground", referring to the strong apple scent of the foliage when stepped upon. "Chamomile" is the name given to several different daisy-like plants, but only two species are important as herbs: C. nobile (Roman chamomile) and Matricaria recutita (wild or German chamomile, See, German chamomile). Both are used for similar purposes, although their odors and chemical analysis are slightly different. Essential oil of chamomile is blue, due to the presence of chamazulene, which forms during steam distillation of the oil and varies in quantity depending on origin and age of flowers. Chamaemelum nobile is a prostrate plant with a delightful aroma that is best appreciated when planted in paving, containers, or lawns. Chamomile tea is one of the most popular herb teas, immortalized in Beatrix Potter's Tale of Peter Rabbit. The cultivar 'Treneague' reputedly originated from chamomile lawns at Buckingham Palace, London, in 1932.

"To ease the body's pain, the Lord send chamomile". This line from a nineteenth-century poem validates how important chamomile has been in alleviating pain and discomfort throughout time. In fact, the medicinal use of chamomile dates back even further, to the days of the Romans, who relied on its antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties. Today, chamomile tea is one of the most effective medicinal teas known. The gentle action of this herb makes it suitable for children and adults, and the tea can be safely used on a regular basis. To be prepared when stomachaches, insomnia, sore throats or cramps strike, keep a supply of chamomile flowers on hand. Be sure to buy Matricaria recutita, or German chamomile; this variety contains the highest concentration of the essential oils responsible for giving chamomile its healing powers.

The healing effect of chamomile is due primarily to the chamazulene ande alpha-disabolol in its essential oil. Chamomile has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and antibacterial effects. It also helps calm the nerves and induces sleep. In addition to being drunk, chamomile tea can be used in healing compresses or added to bathwater.

Mat-forming, evergreen perennial with aromatic, finely divided leaves, to 5cm (2in) long. Long-stalked, solitary flowers, with yellow disks and creamy-white ray florets, appear in summer.


Common Name:
Roman Chamomile, German Chamomile, Maroc Chamomile
Botanical Name:
Anthemis nobilis (Roman Chamomile), Matricaria chamomilla (German Chamomile), Ormenis multicaulis (Maroc Chamomile), Matricaria recutita
Family:
Asteraceae
Location:
Roman Chamomile is found in the United States, Belgium, England, France, Italy
German Chamomile is cultivated in Hungary
Maroc Chamomile is found in Northwest Africa, Spain, Israel., Near East, Asia, Europe, Australia, Africa, North and South America.
Origin:
Native to the Near East and to southern and eastern Europe, chamomile today grows throughout Asia, Europe, Australia, Africa, and North and South America. The yellow-and-white flower is a common sight in meadows, alpine valleys, vacant lots and home gardens.
Plant Facts:
Chamomile, a member of the daisy family, has thin, tapering roots and can grow up to 20 inches tall. This annual plant exudes a distinctive, strongly aromatic scent, and the flower has a slightly bitter taste.
Cultivation:
Light, well-drained soil in full sun. Chamomile plants for lawns are planted 10cm (4in) apart and weeded regularly until established. Plants may deteriorate in very cold or wet winters, but usually recover. Chamaemelum nobile has been called "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. An infusion is also said to prevent damping-off in seedlings.
Propagation:
By seed sown in spring or autumn; by division in spring. Variants are sterile and can only be divided.
Harvest:
Flowers are gathered in summer and distilled for oil, or dried for use in infusions, liquid extracts, and dermatological creams. Dried flowers keep for one year only.
Variation:
Flore Pleno
(Double chamomile)
Has rather shaggy, creamy-white, double flowers.
Height: 15cm (6in)
Width: 45cm (18in)

Treneague
(Lawn chamomile)
Is a non-flowering cultivar that forms a mossy carpet. Tolerates acid soil
Height: 10cm (4in)
Width: 45cm (18in)
Height:
10-30cm (4-12in)
Width:
45cm (18in)
Hardiness:
Z4-8
Drug Interactions:
Chemotherapy, Cisplatin, Cyclophosphamide, Docetaxel, Fluorouracil, Methotrexate, Paclitaxel
Warning:
Handling chamomile may cause dermatitis.
This herb, in the form of essential oil, is subject to legal restrictions in some countries.
Extraction:
Steam Distillation
Parts Used:
Flowers. Only the flower heads are used for tea. The flowering tops (the flower plus 2-3 inches of the stem) are used medicinally. Essential oil
Color and Odor:
The German and Roman chamomiles are blue in color, while the Maroc chamomile is pale yellow. With age the Roman chamomile turns from a very pale blue to colorless. However, this change does not affect the therapeutic quality of the oil. The German chamomile remains deep blue. The blue color of the essential oils is fue to their azulene content, which is most present in German chamomile oil. (Azulene is responsible for the anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile oils.) These three essential oils have a rich, warm, distinctive fruity smell, with undertones reminiscent of over-ripe apples.
Background:
The Roman and German chamomiles have a long tradition of herbal use in Europe brewed as a tea for both internal and external use. Maroc chamomile oil is a more recent introduction. It contains less azulene than the other two and is becoming popular because it is the most reasonably priced of the three. Roman chamomile is a popular lawn plant as its scent becomes more noticeable when it is walked on.
Components:
Chamomile contains a volatile oil consisting of chamazulene and bisaboloids. Other ingredients include flavonoids (which have antispasmodic actions), mucilage (a gelatinous substance), bitters, coumarins, choline, sulphur and calcium.
Properties:
Stomachic, hepatic, nervine, emollient, carminative, stimulant, antispasmodic, sedative, diuretic, antidepressant, antiphlogistic, anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic.
A bitter, aromatic, anti-inflammatory herb with relaxant properties that acts mainly on the digestive system.
Vitamin Content:
Thiamin
Indications:
Chamomile is valued for its calming, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and gas-relieving properties. Internally, it relieves flatulence, stomachaches, intestinal cramps and menstrual pains and promotes the healing of peptic ulcers. In addition, chamomile helps combat insomnia, as well as allay nerve pain, such as that caused by facial neuralgia. Applied externally as a compress or oil, it nourishes the skin.
Extra Tip:
During hot summer months, when you may not want to drink a warm beverage, opt for chamomile ice cubes. Prepare the tea as usual, and freeze the liquid in ice-cube trays. These chamomile ice cubes will not only relieve stomach discomfort, but will cool you down.
Planet:
Venus
Element:
Water
Magical Influences:
Money, Sleep, Love, Purification, Meditation, Peace.
Uses:
  • Digestive Sytem—Improves the appetite, and aids atonic dyspepsia by increasing the digestive action. Relieves the vomiting caused by gastritis and heartburn.
  • Urinary System—Relieves renal inflammation and cystitis. Promotes the flow of urine and will also reduce fluid retention.
  • Reproductive Sytem—Good for many disorders including scanty, painful or irregular menstruation and menopausal problems. Chamomile is soothing for sore nipples.
  • Nervous System—Dimishes nervous excitability and used as a remedy for hysterical and nervous afflictions. Soothes neuralgic pain.
  • Muscular System—Good for general muscular aches and pains.
  • Skeletal System—Beneficial for painful arthritic joints.
  • Skin—Good for dry, sensitive or red skin, useful for skin eruptions such as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, acne or rashes and the itching caused by allergies. Also an excellent remedy for inflamed wounds, sores, scarring and burns.
  • Emotion—For over-sensitivity, restlessness, nervous irritability, depression, impatience, and all states of anger and agitation. Chamomile dispels emotional distress from the past, tension and fear, and aids emotional stability, freeing the mind from worry. Chamomile is relaxing and helps with insomnia, promoting peaceful sleep.
  • Children—Chamomile is a safe remedy for all sorts of children's problems such as colic, diarrhoea, convulsions and even tantrums.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for digestive problems (including colic, diverticulitis, morning sickness, and stress-induced dyspepsia), painful menstruation, and insomnia, and for feverish illnesses, hyperactivity, and temper tantrums in children (flowers). Externally for irritated or sore skin (flowers); diaper rash (essential oil). Used in homeopathy for complaints, caused by anger or too much caffiene. Essential oil is a uterine stimulant; it should not be taken internally, and not used externally in pregnancy. It is used in aromatherapy, and in inhalations for asthma and bronchial congestion.
Methods of Administration:
  • Tea:
    Pour 1 cup of hot water over 2 tsp. of dried flowers. Cover the tea to retain the volatile oil. Steep for 10 min.; strain. Sip 2 -3 cups of tea every day. Chamomile tea can also be used as a gargle.
  • Oil:
    Mix 1¾ oz. of dried and crushed flowers with 1 pt. of olive oil. Expose it to the sun for 10 days then filter. Store the mixture in a dark bottle. Rub it on the skin or lips to relieve chapping.
  • Tincture:
    This alcoholic extract has potent healing properties. Ready made tinctures are available in health food stores and can be used in hot compresses, baths, and aromatherapy.
  • Powder:
    Crush dry chamomile flowers finely in a mortar. Take a scant 1 tsp. of the powder 3 times a day with meals.
  • Homeopathy:
    The homeopathic remedy, called chamomilla, can be used to treat acute pain. Try a 12X or 30C strength.
  • Wine:
    Let 1¾ oz. of dried, crushed flowers steep in 1 qt. of dry white wine for 10 days; strain. Drink a small glass each day as a digestive aid.
Uses and Blends:
Preparation of the Tea:
In a teapot, place 1 tsp. of chamomile flowers per cup of water. Boil the water, then let it cool slightly (using boiling water will cause the various therapeutic compounds in chamomile to evaporate). For best results, steep the tea less than 5 min.
For Treatment of Gastric Problems:
The essential oils in chamomile combined with other ingredients, such as sulfur and calcium, help releive gastrointestinal inflammation. To ease pain and stimulate the digestion, drink 3 or 4 cups of freshly prepared tea daily for a period of several weeks.
For relief of Intestinal Cramps:
The flavonoids in chamomile tea can prevent gas and relieve cramps. However, for menstrual cramps, a chamomile tincture (right) is better because its flavonoid concentration is a third larger than that of the tea.
For Eye Problems
Chamomile-tea compresses help relieve eye pain, eyestrain and eyelid inflammation. Soak 2 cotton pads in lukewarm tea and place them on the eyes for a few minutes.
Warning:
Strain the tea thoroughly first, to remove any pieces of chamomile flower that may irritate delicate eye tissue.
For Inflammation, Restlessness, and Insomnia:
A chamomile-tea bath provides quick relief from skin inflammations, restlessness and insomnia. Add 1 qt. of chamomile tea to a bathtub full of warm water. For insomnia, take the bath before bedtime.
For Menstrual Cramps:
A chamomile tincture can alleviate menstrual cramps. To make the tincture, add 2/3 oz. of chamomile flowers to 1 1/2 oz. of 100-proof alcohol and let it steep for 1 week. Strain and store in a dark vial. Take 10 drops in a glass of water.
For Flu and Cough
The germicidal effect of a chamomile vapor helps destroy the germs that cause flu and alleviates coughing. Pour 2 qt. of hot water over 2 cups of chamomile flowers. Cover your head with a towel and inhale the vapors.
Warning:
Do not use this method if you suffer from cardiovascular disease.
For Gastric Complaints:
1 oz. Chamomile
2/3 oz. Peppermint
1 oz. Caraway Seeds
2/3 oz. Angelica
Use 1 tsp. of the mixture per cup of hot water. Steep the mixture 10 min. and strain. This tea soothes the gastrointestinal tract and stimulates digestive activity, making it useful for stomachaches or a too-full feeling.
For Cystitis:
1 oz. Chamomile
1 oz. Yarrow
1 oz. Sage
Use 1 tsp. of the mixture per cup of hot water. Steep the mixture 5 min. and strain. The anti-inflammatory components of this tea relieve bladder pain and urinary discomfort. Drink as much tea as you wish daily until the inflammation has healed.
For Skin Problems:
1 oz. Chamomile
1 oz. Dandelion
2/3 oz. Fennel
Use 1 tsp. of the mixture per cup of hot water. Steep 5-10 min. and strain. This medicinal tea blend stimulates metabolic activity, which helps promote the healing of inflammatory skin conditions, such as abscesses, boils and acne.
Blends:
DIGESTIVE URINARY REPRODUCTIVE
Chamomile (R) 7 Chamomile (G) 6 Chamomile (R) 5
Ginger 4 Juniper 5 Rose 4
Cardamon 2 Sandalwood 2 Geranium 2
NERVOUS MUSCULAR SKELETAL
Chamomile (R) 7 Chamomile (R) 5 Chamomile (G) 4
Lavender 3 Lavender 4 Juniper 4
Rose 3 Marjoram 3 Rosemary 4
SKIN EMOTION CHILDREN
Chamomile (R) 4 Chamomile (M) 5 Chamomile (R) 2
Lavender 2 Orange 4 Lavender 2
Myrrh 2 Cedarwood 3 Mandarin 2
Culinary Uses:
Flowers are used to make tea and flavor manzanilla sherry. In small amounts, leaves can be finely chopped to flavor cream sauces.
Economic Uses:
Oil is used in hair products to lighten and condition the hair.
Bibliography:
Aromatherapy Blends and recipes by Franzesca Watson Copyright © 1995 Thorsons, Harper Parker Publishing Inc. Pp 82-85
Magical Aromatherapy by Scott Cunningham Copyright © 1989 Llewellyn Publications, Inc. Pp 64-65
The Complete Guide to Natural Healing Copyright © 1999 International Masters Publishers AB ™ Group 1 Card 20. Group 2 Card 5
The Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001. pp. 164-165