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Parts Used: Flower heads
Used For: A comprehensive list of Chamomiles' medical
uses would be very long. Included would be insomnia, anxiety, menopausal
depression, loss of appetite, dyspepsia, diarrhea, colic, aches
and pains of 'flu, migraine, neuralgia, teething, vertigo, motion
sickness, conjunctivitis, inflamed skin, urticaria etc.etc.. This
may seem too good to be true, but it reflects the wide range of
actions in the body.
It is probably the most widely used relaxing nervine
herb in the western world. It relaxes and tones the nervous system,
and is especially valuable where anxiety and tension produce digestive
symptoms such as gas, colic pains or even ulcers. This ability to
focus on physical symptoms as well as under laying psychological
tension is one of the great benefits of herbal remedies in stress
and anxiety problems. Safe in all types of stress and anxiety related
problems, it makes a wonderful late night tea to ensure restful
sleep. It is helpful with anxious children or teething infants,
where it is used as an addition to the bath.
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Medicinal
Spicy, evergreen perennial, carpet-forming. Leaves are up to 5
cm and are finely separated. Flowers with yellow disks and creamy
white florets appear alone on long stalks, in summer. Common to
Western Europe, Northern America, and the Azores.
Parts used
The dried flowers and essential oil are used.
Properties
Aromatic and bitter herb with anti inflammatory and relaxant properties.
Especially effective on the digestive system.
It contains a volatile oil that is high in esters of angelic, tiglic,
methacrylic and isobuturic acids, C3 and C6 alcohols, together with
azulenic compounds, as well as sesquiterpenoids of the germacranolide
type (nobilin), flavone glycosides (apigenine, luteolin and opatuletin-7),
triterpenes, esters of caffeic and ferulic acid and polyacetylenes.
It has anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diuretic, sedative
and anti-tumor properties, with the oil having antimicrobial properties
as well.
Therapeutic uses
Internal use
Commonly known as a relaxing tea to be used to treat insomnia, anxiety,
and temper tantrums in children.
It is further helpful in cases of digestive problems, colic, dyspepsia
(stress induced), fever, painful menstruation and hyperactivity.
External use
The flowers are used to treat rashes and irritated skin, also to
counteract the effects of anger or caffeine.
Used as an inhalation for asthma and bronchial congestion.
Although the effects of German and Roman chamomile are very much
alike, Roman chamomile is normally preferred for skin care products
as it has a more effective anti-inflammatory and pain killing effect
on the skin.
Aroma therapy and essential oil use
This essential oil is particularly good for easing irritation, impatience
and a general sense of dissatisfaction.
It is furthermore helpful with irregular periods, abdominal pain
and has good anti-inflammatory actions on the skin and is effective
when used to treat diaper rash.
Its anti-allergy action on the skin makes it a favorite to calm
red, irritated and stressed skin.
It has analgesic, anti-neuralgic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, bactericidal,
carminative, cicatrisant, digestive, emmenagogue, hepatic, nerve
sedative and tonic properties.
Safety precautions and warnings
Handling fresh chamomile plants may cause dermatitis in some individuals.
It should not to be used when using anti-coagulant drugs.
Please note that the essential oil is said to stimulate the uterus
and should be used with care in pregnancy. |
