Pin Heads

A genus of about five species of Eurasian annuals, which occasionally may live longer as biennials or short-lived perennials. The genus has undergone revision, and Matricaria recutita (German Chamomile) is often listed under its synonyms in older literature. Easily raised from seed, it gives an attractive display of feathery foliage and daisy-like flowers in summer. It is not suitable for chamomile lawns. German Chamomile is similar in effects to Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile, See Roman Chamomile) but has a less pronounced aroma. Some herbalists combine the flowers, using two parts German to one part Roman, while others prefer Roman Chamomile, especially in its double variant C. nobile 'Flore Pleno' (See, Roman Chamomile). German chamomile has a slightly higher proportion of volatile oil, containing an anti-inflammatory and analgesic that is particularly effective in healing burns and preventing ulceration and infection. It is less bitter than Roman chamomile as an ingredient of herb teas.

Used since ancient times, this beautiful light-blue oil taken from flowers of the German chamomile plant contains constituents with powerful antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. It's also used for menstrual problems and digestive upsets and as a sleep aid.

Sweetly-scented annual with much-branched stems and finely divided leaves, 4-7cm (1½-3in) long. Daisy-like flowers, to 2.5cm (1in) across, are produced from early summer to autumn.


Common Name:
Pin Heads
Other Names:
Chamomilla, German Chamomile, Hungarian Chamomile, Scented Mayweed, True Chamomile
Botanical Name:
Matricaria recutita syn. M. chamomilla, Chamomilla recutita
Genus:
Matricaria
Family:
Asteraceae
Native Location:
Europe to W Asia
Cultivation:
Well-drained, moist to dry, neutral to slightly acid soil in sun.
Propagation:
By seed sown in autumn or spring.
Harvest:
Flowers are collected when first fully opened and used fresh, frozen, or dried in infusions, liquid extracts, and powders. For long-term storage, flowers are better used fresh or frozen, because they lose volatile oil rapidly when dried.
Height:
15-60cm (6-24in)
Width:
10-38cm (4-15in)
Hardiness:
Hardy
Parts Used:
Flowers, whole flowering herb.
Properties:
A bitter, aromatic, sedative herb that relaxes spasms, reduces inflammation, relieves pain, and promotes healing. It benefits the digestion and stimulates the immune system.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for nervous digestive upsets, irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia, motions sickness, and children's complaints, such as teething, colic, and infantile convulsions. Externally for wounds, sunburn, burns, hemorrhoids, mastitis, and leg ulcers. Contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation, with anti-coagulant medication, and in known hypersensitivity to members of the Asteraceae (daisy) family. Some practitioners do not recommend chamomile for infants.
To treat flatulence, diarrhea, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and anogenital area, irritation of the upper respiratory tract, gingivitis, hemorrhoids, and acne. Germany's Commission E has approved the use of German chamomile to treat the common cold; fevers; coughts; bronchitis; inflammation of the skin, mouth and throat; burns and wounds; and to help ward off infections.
Typical Dose:
A typical dose of German chamonile is approximately 3 gm of the herb steeped in 150 ml boiling water for five to ten minutes, strained and taken as a tea. This dosage may be repeated three to four times daily.
Possible Side Effects:
German chamomile's side effects include allergic reactions.
Drug Interactions:
Taking German chamomile with these drugs may increase the risk of bleeding or bruising:
Antithrombin III, (Thrombate III)
Argatroban, (Argatroban)
Aspirin, (Bufferin, Ecotrin)
Bivalirudin, (Angiomax)
Celecoxib, (Celebrex)
Dalteparin, (Fragmin)
Danaparoid, (Orgaran)
Enoxaparin, (Lovenox)
Etodolac, (Lodine, Utradol)
Fondaparinux, (Arixtra)
Heparin, (Hepalean, Hep-Lock)
Ibuprofen, (Advil, Motrin)
Indomethacin, (Indocin, Novo-Methacin)
Ketoprofen, (Orudis, Rhodis)
Ketorolac, (Acular, Toradol)
Lepirudin, (Refludan)
Tinzaparin, (Innohep)
Warfarin, (Coumadin, Jantoven)
Taking German chamomile with these drugs may increase the action of the drug:
Alprazolam, (Apo-Alpraz, Xanax)
Amobarbital, (Amytal)
Bromazepam, (Apo-Bromazepam, Gen-Bromazepam)
Brotizolam, (Lendorm, Sintonal)
Butabarbital, (Butisol Sodium)
Chloral Hydrate, (Aquachloral Suprettes, Somnote)
Chlordiazepoxide, (Apo-Chlordiazepoxide, Librium)
Clobazam, (Alti-Clobazan, Frisium)
Clonazepam, (Klonopin, Rivotril)
Clorazepate, (Tranxene, T-Tab)
Dexmedetomidine, (Precedex)
Diazepam, (Apo-Diazepam, Valium)
Diphenhydramine, (Benadryl Allergy, Nytol)
Estazolam, (ProSom)
Flurazepam, (Apo-Flurazepam, Dalmane)
Haloperidol, (Haldol, Novo-Peridol)
Hydroxyzine, (Atarax, Vistaril)
Loprazolam, (Dormonoct, Havlane)
Lorazepam, (Ativan, Nu-Loraz)
Mephobarbital, (Mebaral)
Midazolam, (Apo-Midazolam, Versed)
Oxazepam, (Novoxapam, Serax)
Pentazocine, (Talwin)
Phenobarbital, (Luminal Sodium, PMS-Phenobarbital)
Prazepam, (Prazepam)
Promethazine, (Phenergen)
Propofol, (Diprivan)
Quazepam, (Doral)
S-Zopiclone, (Lunesta)
Secobarbital, (Seconal)
Temazepam, (Novo-Temazepam, Restoril)
Tetrazepam, (Mobiforton, Musapam)
Thiopental, (Pentothal)
Triazolam, (Apo-Triazo, Halcion)
Zolpidem, (Ambien)
Taking German chamomile with these drugs may interfere with absorption of the drug:
Ferrous Sulfate, (Feratab, Fer-Iron)
Iron-Dextran Complex, (Dexferrum, INFeD)
Disease Effects:
May worsen cases of asthma.
Supplement Interactions:
May enhance therapeutic and adverse effects of herbs and supplements that have sedative properties, such as 5-HTP, Kava Kava, St. John's Wort, and Valerian.
Economic Uses:
Added to cosmetics as an anti-allergenic agent and to hair preparations as a conditioner and lightener. Extracts used to flavor liqueurs, and to enhance fruit flavors in ice cream and candy.
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited Pg 272
The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp. 234-236.