|
 Matricaria recutita/M. chamomilla (Compositae)
GERMAN CHAMOMILE, WILD CHAMOMILE
The flowers are used by
herbalists and homeopaths for many conditions, ranging from a nervous
stomach and anxiety to teething and period pains. It is also applied
externally for eczema.
Although not the true chamomile (Chamamaelum nobilis) in the botanical
sense, M. recutita closely resembles it in appearance and medical uses. It has been
known of since ancient times and has been called the plant's physician because ailing
garden plants recover when it is planted close to them. Native to Europe and
northern Africa but naturalized in North America, it is a low-growing perennial with
finely divided leaves and daisy-like flowers.
PARTS USED
Flowers.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Volatile oil, containing azulenes, particularly chamazulene, matricine,
and alpha-bisabolol oxides A and B; flavonoids, including apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin; coumarins.
ACTIONS
Reduces muscle tension and spasm; sedative; antifungal;
antibacterial; relieves pain; promotes wound healing; relieves wind and colic; bitter (digestive stimulant).
MEDICINAL USE
Used internally as a gentle relaxing sedative for adults and children,
for gastritis (stomach inflammation) and irritated intestines, for calming a nervous stomach,
and to help relieve period pains, migraine, rheumatism and gout.
It is also applied externally in tea bags to ease allergic dermatitis and eczema,
and to help heal burns and weeping wounds. Used in homeopathy (Chamomilla) for inner turmoil,
anxiety and anger, convulsions, throbbing headache, earache, teething, hacking coughs, period pains, and diarrhoea.
PREPARATIONS
Dried flowers, tincture, infusion, essential oil, cream, homeopathic remedies.
|
