German Chamomile
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| German Chamomile | ||||||||||||||
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 German Chamomile (from Köhler's Medicinal Plants, 1887)
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| Matricaria recutita L. |
German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), also spelled Camomile, is an annual plant of the sunflower family Asteraceae. Synonyms are: Chamomilla chamomilla, Chamomilla recutita (accepted name according to the Flora Europaea), Matricaria chamomilla, and Matricaria suaveolens.
It usually grows near populated areas all over Europe and temperate Asia. It is widely introduced in temperate North America and Australia. As the seeds need open soil to survive, it often grows near roads, around landfills and in cultivated fields as a weed.
Other names include Wild Chamomile, Hungarian Chamomile, and Scented Mayweed.
The branched stem is erect and smooth and grows to a height of 15-60 cm. The long and narrow leaves are bipinnate or tripinnate.
The flowers are borne in paniculate capitula. The white ray florets are furnished with a ligule, while the disc florets are yellow. The hollow receptacle is swollen and lacks scales. This property distinguished German Chamomile from Corn Chamomile (Anthemis arvensis), which has a receptacle with scales. The flowers have a strong, aromatic smell, and bloom in early to mid summer.
The word chamomile comes from Greek χαμαίμηλον (chamaimēlon), "earth-apple", from χαμαί (chamai), "on the ground" + μήλον (mēlon), "apple", so called because of the applelike scent of the plant. (Note: The "ch-" spelling is used especially in science and pharmacology.)
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[edit] Uses
[edit] Herbalism
German Chamomile is used medicinally against sore stomach, irritable bowel syndrome, and as a gentle sleep aid. It can be taken as an herbal tea, two teaspoons of dried flower per cup of tea. For a sore stomach, some recommend taking a cup every morning without food for two to three months. It is also used as a mouthwash against oral mucositis. It has acaricidal properties against certain mites, such as Psoroptes cuniculi. The primary known active ingredient of the essential oil from German Chamomile is bisabolol. [1] but other active ingredients include essential oils, notably chamazulene, flavonoids and coumarin.
A 2006 review of the medical literature reported a number of beneficial effects of chamomile in in-vitro and animal tests but added that more human clinical trials are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn. [2] Chamomile has speeded wound healing in animals.[3] [4] It also showed some benefit in an animal model of diabetes.[5] Very preliminary in-vitro results show potential against cancer. [6] Potential risks include interference with warfarin and infant botulism in very young children.[7] [8]
Chamomile is also used cosmetically, primarily to make a rinse for blonde hair.
[edit] Agriculture
Chamomile is sometimes known as "the plant doctor", because it is thought to help the growth and health of many other plants, especially ones that produce essential oils. It is thought to increase production of those oils, making certain herbs, like mints (spearmint, sage, oregano) and basil taste stronger in scent and flavor.
Chamomile "tea" is also thought to be useful to suppress fungal growth, for example, misting it over seedlings may prevent damping off.
Chamomile is frequently an invasive species in agricultural fields. Farmers often must control chamomile's spread to maintain productivity of their fields.
[edit] Possible side effects
Chamomile is a relative of ragweed and can cause allergy symptoms and can cross-react with ragweed pollen in individuals with ragweed allergies. It is also a coumarin and should be avoided by anyone taking blood thinners.
While extremely rare, very large doses of Chamomile may cause nausea and vomiting. Even more rare, rashes may occur.[9]
[edit] References
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies
- ^ "A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of chamomile tea (Matricaria recutita L.)." (2006 Jul). Phytother Res. 20 (7): 519-30. PMID: 16628544.
- ^ "An experimental study of the effects of Matricaria chamomilla extract on cutaneous burn wound healing in albino rats." (2008 Mar 20). Nat Prod Res. 22 (5): 423-8. PMID: 18404562.
- ^ "Wound healing activity of Matricaria recutita L. extract." (2007 Jul). J Wound Care. 16 (7): 298-302. PMID: 17708380.
- ^ "Antihyperglycemic and antioxidative potential of Matricaria chamomilla L. in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats." (2008 Feb 13). Nat Med (Tokyo).. PMID: 18404309.
- ^ "Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of chamomile extract in various human cancer cells." (2007 Nov 14). J Agric Food Chem. 55 (23): 9470-8. PMID: 17939735.
- ^ "Warfarin interaction with Matricaria chamomilla." (2006 Apr 25). CMAJ.;(): 174 (9): 1281-2. PMID: 16636327.
- ^ "Presence of Clostridium botulinum spores in Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) and its relationship with infant botulism." (2008 Feb 10). Int J Food Microbiol. 121 (3): 357-60. PMID: 18068252.
- ^ Readers' Digest Association
[edit] General references
- Graedon, Joe; Theresa Graedon (2001). The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies. St. Martin's Griffin, 283. ISBN 978-0312267643.
- Reader's Digest Association (1999). The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs. Reader's Digest, 259. ISBN 978-0762101320.
[edit] Gallery
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[edit] External links
- Chamomile for IBS
- Herbal Supplements in Pregnancy - Lists active chemical components of chamomile
