HERB - Chamomile Info (long)

[Gaylin Walli]

Lucinda kindly responded to Melandra of the Woods request
(of me) for more information on chamomile. I thought to add
some more to her reponse. I apologize for the delay (work
and all that, espeically right after Pennsic).

There's a lot more about the herb that people could learn. I
use it often in my house. Keep in mind. I'm no expert.
Research this stuff up on your own and someone please do
correct me if they find anything amiss. -- jasmine de cordoba



VERY BRIEF HISTORY

Chamomile comes from the Greek words 'kamai' (on the ground)
and 'melon' (an apple), hence once of its common names in
Spain, "manzanlla", meaning "little apple". As early as
the Middle Ages (and maybe longer) the Spaniards used it
to flavor light sherries.

In other countries during the Middle Ages (and Spain too),
the plant was used as a strewing herb because of its agreeable
smell when it was stepped on. This gradually evolved into
being planted as part of the walkways and lawns of gardens
and manor houses.


WHAT CHAMOMILE LOOKS LIKE

A number of plant species are labeled chamomile; however,
only two that I know of are used as herbs. Anthemis nobilis
(or Chamaemelum nobile, depending on the book you reference)
is a perennial plant that most people will call Roman
Chamomile or English Chamomile. Another plant, Matricaria
recutita, is often confused with Roman Chamomile, though
it grows differently and is considered an annual. M.
recutita is most commonly called German Chamomile.

A. nobilis creeps as it grows. It can grow to a height of
roughly 1 ft (~30cm), not including any flower spikes.
The foliage is dark green-gray and looks feathery. The
flowers look quite a bit like very small daisies. Some
people describe the smell of A. nobilis as an "astringent
apple." The essential oil of this plant is a light sky
blue in color and smells clean and sweet with floral
undertones. The density of the oil is light. There are two
variants of the A. nobilis - a double flowered variety, Flore
pleno, and a non-flowering variety, Trenague, useful for the
traditional 'Chamomile Lawn'.

M. recutita grows much taller than its creeping conterpart,
often reaching heights of 2 ft (60cm) or more. The foliage
is very similar to A. nobilis, but often much sparser. Its
flowers are very similar to A. nobilis, but the flower domes
in the center of M. recutita instead of remaining flat like
that of A. nobilis. The essential oil of M. recutita is inky
blue in color and smells pungently green, a smell that many
people dislike. The density of the oil is thicker and more
gummy than A. nobilis.


REGULATORY STATUS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

Canada:  Approved as an over-the-counter drug.
USA:     Generally Recognized as Safe.
UK:      General Sales List.
France:  Traditional Medicine.
Germany: Commission E approved as an over-the-counter drug.

(Regulatory information was published in the Wampole Family Guide to
Nutritional Supplments and obtained via their website on 8/26/98.)


WARNINGS & CONTRAINDICATIONS

Anyone allergic to ragweed, asters, or chrysanthemums should
probably avoid using this herb. Overuse of this herb will
often counteract the calming qualities and stimulate bowel
function. Because of its help in treating menstrual problems,
chamomile of all types may best be avoided during early
pregnancy.


MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

The essential oils and active compounds of chamomile give it
an incredible range of uses. There is some argument over which
chamomile is better than the other, though all the books I
own tend to lean towards prefering German chamomile for medicinal
purposes. Here are the uses I know of medicinally.

If the flowers are used internally chamomile can often:

  - relieve pain
  - reduce inflammation
  - relieve gas
  - calm spasms

  - make you perspire (but only when it is served hot),
  - assist menstrual flow (it is not an abortificaceant per se)
  - calm your nerves (from the natural tryptophan in it)
  - stimulate your nerves (if you use too much)

  - settle your stomach
  - help you sleep
  - reduce nightmares (especially in children)
  - cure colic

  - dissolve gallstones
  - heal jaundice
  - cure edema
  - expel intestinal parasites

  - protect you against ulcers (peptic)
  - fight against yeast infections
  - reduce the unrelenting pain of rheumatoid arthritis
  - reduce the pain of teething

If the leaves and flowers are used externally, chamomile can often:

  - soothe earaches (as a tea/wash)
  - soothe toothaches (as a tea,wash, or poltice)
  - reduce swelling in your eyes (as a compress or poltice)
  - cure facial burns

  - reduce boils
  - clear rashes
  - help wounds cure faster (even deep ones)
  - cure cracked skin

  - deoderize your skin
  - repel bugs
  - give you hair highlights
  - cure intestinal ulcers (when massaged on the abdomen and
    solar plexus)


SOME FORMULATIONS

(Note: I've gleaned these from a variety of sources and
worked a few out on my own. Consult a health care professional
if you want to try them on yourself or your family. I'm not
a medical professional and make no claim to be. What you do
with this information is up to you.)

To make an infusion of chamomile, take 1 oz of the flowers
and add them to 1 pint of boiled (not boiling!) water. Cover
and let steep for at least 10 minutes. This infusion taken
a small bit (about a wineglass full) at a time can often help
with nervousness and cramps.

For stimlant or tonic to the stomach, use an infusion 8
times as strong as an ordinary infusion and mixed with
a little alcohol, taking it in small drinks 3 times daily
(roughly a large teaspoonful).

Combine equal parts flowers and crushed poppy flower
heads and use as a poultice on externally swollen areas
(non mucous membranes). Alternatively, stuff a small bag
with the flower head and soak it in warm-hot water that
is comfortable to the touch and place that on the swollen
area.

For skin complaints, use a tablespoon of flowers for each
liter of warm (not hot water) you place in a tub and soak in it
for 15-20 minutes (three good references for this in
Culpepper, Turner, and Parkinson). Alternatively, try two
teaspoons of the essential oil in a full bath tub of warm
water.

Use the whole herb as a delightful addition to beer. :)
============================================================================
Go to http://lists.ansteorra.org/lists.html to perform mailing list tasks.