Chamomile: Materia Medica
Société Apothecary
Chamomile Flowers SUMMARY German Chamomile Chamomile is a gentle but highly effective herb best known for calming anxiety, soothing digestion and aiding sleep. It can also be used externally to treat wounds, bruises and rashes. MATERIA MEDICA Latin Binomial: Matricaria recutita (German chamomile), Chamaemelum nobile, Anthemis nobilis (Roman chamomile) Common Name(s) : Chamomile, German Chamomile (“true” Chamomile), May Weed, Manzanilla, Roman Chamomile TCM Name : Huang Chu Ju Ayurvedic Name(s) : n/a Family: Asteraceae (daisy family) Physical Description of the Plant: German chamomile is an annual plant with large blossoms that self seeds and grows up to three feet tall. It has an erect stem with finely divided feathery leaves. The terminal flower heads are surrounded by evenly spaced white florets with yellow central discs. The whole plant is aromatic. Roman chamomile is similar in appearance to German chamomile, but is a hardier low-growing perennial, growing only 3-4 inches high. It has terminal single flowers with white florets and a yellow center. The flowers are smaller and produce less chamazulene (the characteristic blue essential oil), resulting in a clear essential oil. Habitat: German and Roman Chamomile are cultivated in temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. German chamomile is said to be native to Spain, later introduced to the rest of Europe. Chamomile prefers full sun and sandy moist soil, and a short cool season. Manzanilla grows in the deserts of Mexico and the Southwest U.S. Roman Chamomile is more commonly found in European gardens, where it is used as a ground cover to fill in between path and patio pavers since it spreads through creeping rootstock. Harvest and Collection: Harvest flowers when they bloom in June and July in temperate zones. Parts of the Plant Used: The flowers of both varieties are the most medicinal part of the plant. Qualities: Soothing, aromatic Energetics: Slightly Cool, Astringent Taste : Roman – Bitter, Aromatic. German – Sweet, aromatic infused as tea; steeping longer releases its bitter principle Chemical Constituents: German chamomile: Anthemic acid Azulene Choline Coumarins (umbelliferone) En-yn dicycloether Flavonoids (luteolin, apigenin, quercetin) Patuletin Phytoestrogens Polysaccharides Sesquiterpenes Spiroethers Tannins Terpenoids (α-bisabolol, α-bisabolol oxide A and B, chamazulene) Roman chamomile: Angelic and tiglic acid esters Anthemic acid Choline Coumarins: scopoletin-7-glucoside Fatty acids Flavonoids: quercetin, apigenin, luteolin Terpenoids: chamazulene, bisabolol Actions: Western: Anodyne Anticoagulant Anti-inflammatory Antimicrobial Antispasmodic Bitter carminative Diaphoretic Diuretic Emmenagogue Hemostatic Nervine sedative Tonic Eastern: Moves Qi/Releases Qi Stagnation: emotional upsets, anxiety, headache, nightmares, depression, irregular menses with clotting, PMS, stomach ulcers. Tonifies the Liver: poor appetite, hypochondriac pain, swollen abdomen. Stops Inflammation/Soothes Pain: sore throat, cramps, stomach spasms, wounds, bruises, skin rashes. Strengthens the Stomach: nausea, aids digestion, promotes smooth bowels. Releases to the Exterior/Clears Heat/Stops Cough: colds, flus, fevers, asthma, bronchitis, chills and fevers at the Shao Yang and Shao Yin stages. Moves Blood/Calms Shen: menstrual cramps, difficult menses, insomnia, anxiety, lowers blood pressure, palpitations. Meridians: Lungs, Heart, Stomach Indications: Hyperactivity in children, teething pain, restlessness, digestive cramps, gas and bloating, uterine cramps, PMS symptoms; inflammation including joint pain, autoimmunity, chronic skin conditions. Contraindications/Cautions: Contraindicated for anyone allergic to flowers in the Asteraceae family. Otherwise safe for infants and children, pregnancy and lactation. Drug Interactions: Use caution with CNS depressants, such as opiates, alcohol, benzodiazepines tricyclic antidepressants, anaesthetics, or anti-epileptics. Avoid with Warfarin and related anticoagulant medications. Dosage: Tincture : fresh preparation of Chamomile will extract more volatile oils - 1:2 at 50%-60%; dry tincture 1:5 in 40% alcohol. Dose: 30 drops. Infusion: 2-4 g of fresh plant to 1 cup hot water; steep 10 -20 with a lid on to prevent the escape of steam that carries the volatile oils with spasmolytic and inflammatory modulation actions. Dried preparations procure more bitterness, better for the GI and digestion. Can also be used as an eyewash or mouth rinse. Combinations: Combines wellwith other relaxing nervines, such as lemon balm and linden. Combine with peppermint and lemon balm for children’s fevers. Folklore: Chamomile has been used since ancient times by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. The Greeks called it Kamaimelon, kamai meaning on the ground and melon meaning apple - together meaning ground apple. This refers to Roman Chamomile’s closeness to the ground and characteristic sweet apple scent. Likewise, its Welsh name is “camri” meaning footsteps or walk. The Mayans used chamomile to help lift the spirit and the Egyptians offered the blossoms to the Sun God, Ra. In the Middle Ages it was popular for treating colds, fevers, inflammations and nausea. The herb can be used internally or externally. Manzanilla, also called pinapple weed, means “little apples” and has similar uses as German and Roman chamomiles. In Mexican folklore it is used to soothe the stomach, ease digestion and support strong lungs, preventing asthma and allergies. Chamomile was also used as a brewing agent before hops, and it was included in recipes for the ancient preparation absinthe. Flower Essence: Calms