Chamomile
(Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All.=Anthemis nobilis L., Compositae)
Also called: Roman Chamomile, Double Chamomile, Anthemis.
There are two Roman chamomiles: the double flowerheads obtained from cultivated plants only and generally used by herbalists; and secondly the single flowerheads from wild plants and used as a domestic remedy.
Description: Chamomile is a perennial plant (distinction
from wild chamomile) with creeping rootstock and short branches.
The erect stems are branched, bearing leaves that resemble those of wild chamomile.
The foliage is feathery with an apple scent, and it is accented by white,
daisy-like flowers with down-turned petals.
Capitula on stout peduncles, composed almost completely of white or yellowish-white
ligulate florets; small, yellow, tubular florets may be present in small numbers
towards the centre, or may be completely absent.
All parts of the plant have a very aromatic and bitter odour.
Flowering: June-September.
It can be used as a groundcover since it grows only 4 to 12 inches in height.
Part Used: Dried flowerheads.
Habitat and Cultivation: Grown commercially in Hungary,
the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Argentina, Egypt.
The plant is indigenous to southern Europe and is found locally in Britain.
Plants with double flowerheads do not occur wild and are cultivated by vegetative
propagation of rootstocks (cultivation from seed generally yields many plants
with single flowerheads); planted 20x 20cm (8x8in) in light soil. Heavy, damp
soils retard plant development.
Flowers are collected on dry days from mid-July to autumn (if collected when
damp, the flowers become grey in colour).
They are dried in the shade as rapidly as possible at less than 35 C (95 F).
The stock should be renewed after 3 years.
Yield: 5-14kg (11-301b) per are (120 sq yd).
Constituents and Action: Volatile oil and bitter principles.
Anti-emetic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, bitter, carminative, sedative
Both German chamomile (M. recutito) and its relative Roman chamomile (C.
nobile) are among the most widely used of medicinal herbs.
Their actions
are very
close and can be regarded as interchangeable in lay use, with
Roman chamomile having a slightly more bitter taste and German chamomile
being slightly more anti-inflammatory and analgesic.
Both chamomiles are used for nervous stomach upsets, nausea, insomnia.
Externally in creams for eczema, wounds, nappy rash, sore nipples and piles.
Soothes and relaxes at bedtime.
Relieves restlessness, teething problems, and colic in children.
Relieves allergies, much as an antihistamine would.
Aids digestion when taken as a tea after meals.
Relieves morning sickness during pregnancy.
Speeds healing of skin ulcers, wounds, or burns.
Treats gastritis and ulcerative colitis.
It is of value for relief of painful menstruation.
It can also be administered as a compress for external healing and as a bath
for babies.
Chamomile is also used in homoeopathy and Chamomilla 3X is a valuable standby for babies, used to treat both colic and teething.
The botanists have renamed chamomile repeatedly over the years - Roman chamomile may still be found labelled as Anthemis nobile while German chamomile is often called either Chomomilla recutito or Matricaria chamomillo.
Forms available: Tea, salves, tinctures,
essential oils; ingredient in bath and body-care products.
Some products are standardised to 1.2% apigenin/0.5% essential oil.
Chamomile yields a deep blue essential oil on steam distillation.
This is used for a range of digestive disorders, inflammations, emotional problems
and muscle pains.
Also very
relaxing and useful in skin care.
It is extremely expensive but usually 2-3 drops are sufficient.
Usage: The flowers
are readily available in tea bags or sold loose for infusions and, although
the flavour can be something of an acquired taste, chamomile tea is one of
the most popular herbal drinks on the market.
It is one of the safest herbs for children and babies and some mothers use
weak infusions as a night-time drink to encourage restful sleep.
The infusion can also be added to bath water to soothe over-excited infants.
Caution: High doses produce vomiting and
vertigo.
People allergic to other members of the aster family, such as ragweed, may
be allergic to camomile. Camomile is associated with rare contact dermatitis.
It also may interact with anticoagulant drugs.
The Greeks knew the herb as "ground apple" (kama melon) - so called
because of its characteristic smell - and it is still used for ornamental
lawns, giving a hint of apples when walked on.
Special non-flowering cultivars
have been developed for lawns, but these are useless if you want to use the
herb medicinally since it is only the flowers that are of value.
To the Anglo-Saxons chamomile was moythen, one of the nine sacred herbs given
to mankind by Woden and listed in the ninth-century poem the Locnunga.
Culinary Uses
Roman chamomile foliage can be chopped and stirred into butter or sour cream
that is used to top baked potatoes.
Other Uses
* Makes a relaxing bath or footbath.
* Lightens fair hair and conditions complexion. Make a rinse by simmering 2
teaspoons dried flowers in 8 ounces of water for 15 minutes.
* Potpourri (dry flowers face down.)
Chamomile Cleansing Milk
Must be kept refrigerated.
Good only for 2-4 days.
Place 1 cup of warm milk in a bowl. The milk must be kept warm throughout, however
it must never boil and a skin must not form on the milk. The easiest way to
accomplish this is by placing the bowl over a saucepan of hot water.
Add 3 tablespoons fresh chamomile flowers. Stir gently from time to time so
as not to break up the flowers. Infuse until the milk smells strongly of chamomile.
Strain into glass jars.
Excellent for oily skin
Cultivation
Roman chamomile is usually propagated by root division, while German chamomile seeds are sown directly in early spring. The soil should be sandy and slightly acid. Full sun is preferred except in hot, dry climates where midday shade is necessary. Chamomile can also be used around the edges of containers with other herbs. After flowering, cut back to the main growth.
Harvesting and Drying
Cut the flowers from the stems with scissors and spread them out on muslin covered racks to dry.
