Chamomile
Appearance and Location
Chamomile, also known as “the physician’s herb”, is a flowering plant in the daisy family. There are two popular plants known as chamomile, German chamomile (Matricaria recutita), which is an annual, and Roman, or English, chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), which is a perennial. There are about 25 species in the chamomile genus Matricaria. This hardy, low growing plant easily spreads from fallen flower heads and is said to be able to cure any plant it grows next to and to keep it free of insects – hence the name “the physician’s herb.”
German Chamomile has rounded, arching flower bases that are covered in small yellow tubular flowers with white ray florets. A very distinguishing feature of German Chamomile is that when you cut the flower in half, the flower base is hollow on the inside. Roman Chamomile is almost identical to German Chamomile in appearance, but the leaves are more finely pinnated and the base of the flower head is filled with pith rather than hollow. It also only grows 15-30 cm tall, so it’s much smaller than German Chamomile which grows up to 50 cm tall.
German Chamomile is native to Europe, North Africa, and some parts of Asia. It is commercially cultivated in Egypt, France, Eastern Europe, and Hungary. Roman Chamomile is native to Western Europe and North Africa. This variety is commercially grown in England, France, Belgium, Argentina, and the United States. You can see chamomile growing throughout pastures, yards, roadsides, and any area with adequate sun exposure. The most common type of Chamomile used medicinally is known as Matricaria recutita (German Chamomile), however, Chamaemelum nobile (Roman Chamomile) has also been used to treat the same health problems.
The genus “Matricaria” derives from the Latin word ‘matrix’ which refers to the womb. The name Matricaria was given to the genus because Matricaria chamomile was widely used to treat gynecologic complaints such as menstrual cramps and sleep disorders related to premenstrual syndrome. The common name Chamomile comes from the Greek word chamos, meaning ground, and melos, meaning apple, which refers to the plant’s low-growing habit and apple-like scent. It’s also important to note that people are more likely to experience allergic reactions to chamomile if they’re allergic to related plants such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, or daisies.
Functions and Properties Throughout History
The earliest recorded use of chamomile for medicinal purposes was in the 1550 BC Ebers Papyrus, an Egyptian medical papyrus of herbal knowledge. Both the Egyptians and Saxons viewed chamomile in a very sacred manner – and was even considered a gift from the divine in ancient Egyptian culture.
Throughout history, common folk have used chamomile for a variety of reasons. From female reproductive health to embalming bodies, to repelling vermin and pests. By the Middle Ages, monks greatly utilized Chamomile for soothing the digestive system and calming the nerves.
However, it has also been used internally for the following conditions: nervous system conditions (e.g., restlessness and anxiety), depression, insomnia, flatulence, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, amenorrhea (abnormal absence of menstruation), dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), anorexia nervosa, asthma, bruxism (teeth grinding), bronchitis, colic, dentition, and infantile convulsions caused by teething, gout, gum bleeding and soreness, canker sores (ulcers), malaria, travel sickness, alcohol withdrawal, mastitis (breast inflammation or infection), neuralgia, skin irritations, eczema, bruises, burns, and wounds.
Externally, Chamomile has been used for cracked nipples, chicken pox, diaper rash, eye conditions (e.g., blocked tear ducts and conjunctivitis), ear infections, nasal conditions, and poison ivy reactions. Ancient Egyptian women would actually mix it with crushed rose petals and apply it to their skin for cosmetic purposes. Today, it is still used in cosmetics and body care products such as hair dyes, shampoos, sunscreens, mouthwashes, toothpaste, deodorants, and bath preparations.
Chamomile was first cultivated in the United States by German settlers and soon became an important medicine by 19th century physicians to treat specific conditions in pregnant women and young children. Meanwhile in Germany, the average annual demand for German/Hungarian Chamomile reached 1,000 metric tons. This herb is widely used and culturally accepted in the country, known there as alles zutraut, which means “capable of anything.”
By 1984, the German Commission E approved the use of Chamomile flower preparations as internal nonprescription medicines for gastrointestinal spasms, inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and as external medicines for skin and mucous membrane inflammation, bacterial skin diseases, and inflammation of the respiratory tracts. Today, the Chamomile flower still remains one of the most in-demand medicinal plants in global trade.
Remember to join us each month as we explore the history, personality, clinical application, and more of Nancy’s favorite plants. Get a snippet of the properties and practical uses of these herbs and how they supported the health of our ancestors as well as how they can support us in our present day.
Resources:
Herbalgram | Mount Sinai | ACORN Herb School | Plantura | Science Direct | Why Farm It | Traditional Roots | Traditional Medicinals
Appearance and Location
Appearance and Location
Chamomile, also known as “the physician’s herb”, is a flowering plant in the daisy family. There are two popular plants known as chamomile, German chamomile (Matricaria recutita), which is an annual, and Roman, or English, chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), which is a perennial. There are about 25 species in the chamomile genus Matricaria. This hardy, low growing plant easily spreads from fallen flower heads and is said to be able to cure any plant it grows next to and to keep it free of insects – hence the name “the physician’s herb.”
German Chamomile has rounded, arching flower bases that are covered in small yellow tubular flowers with white ray florets. A very distinguishing feature of German Chamomile is that when you cut the flower in half, the flower base is hollow on the inside. Roman Chamomile is almost identical to German Chamomile in appearance, but the leaves are more finely pinnated and the base of the flower head is filled with pith rather than hollow. It also only grows 15-30 cm tall, so it’s much smaller than German Chamomile which grows up to 50 cm tall.
German Chamomile is native to Europe, North Africa, and some parts of Asia. It is commercially cultivated in Egypt, France, Eastern Europe, and Hungary. Roman Chamomile is native to Western Europe and North Africa. This variety is commercially grown in England, France, Belgium, Argentina, and the United States. You can see chamomile growing throughout pastures, yards, roadsides, and any area with adequate sun exposure. The most common type of Chamomile used medicinally is known as Matricaria recutita (German Chamomile), however, Chamaemelum nobile (Roman Chamomile) has also been used to treat the same health problems.
The genus “Matricaria” derives from the Latin word ‘matrix’ which refers to the womb. The name Matricaria was given to the genus because Matricaria chamomile was widely used to treat gynecologic complaints such as menstrual cramps and sleep disorders related to premenstrual syndrome. The common name Chamomile comes from the Greek word chamos, meaning ground, and melos, meaning apple, which refers to the plant’s low-growing habit and apple-like scent. It’s also important to note that people are more likely to experience allergic reactions to chamomile if they’re allergic to related plants such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, or daisies.
Functions and Properties
Throughout History
Functions and Properties Throughout History
The earliest recorded use of chamomile for medicinal purposes was in the 1550 BC Ebers Papyrus, an Egyptian medical papyrus of herbal knowledge. Both the Egyptians and Saxons viewed chamomile in a very sacred manner – and was even considered a gift from the divine in ancient Egyptian culture.
Throughout history, common folk have used chamomile for a variety of reasons. From female reproductive health to embalming bodies, to repelling vermin and pests. By the Middle Ages, monks greatly utilized Chamomile for soothing the digestive system and calming the nerves.
However, it has also been used internally for the following conditions: nervous system conditions (e.g., restlessness and anxiety), depression, insomnia, flatulence, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, amenorrhea (abnormal absence of menstruation), dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), anorexia nervosa, asthma, bruxism (teeth grinding), bronchitis, colic, dentition, and infantile convulsions caused by teething, gout, gum bleeding and soreness, canker sores (ulcers), malaria, travel sickness, alcohol withdrawal, mastitis (breast inflammation or infection), neuralgia, skin irritations, eczema, bruises, burns, and wounds.
Externally, Chamomile has been used for cracked nipples, chicken pox, diaper rash, eye conditions (e.g., blocked tear ducts and conjunctivitis), ear infections, nasal conditions, and poison ivy reactions. Ancient Egyptian women would actually mix it with crushed rose petals and apply it to their skin for cosmetic purposes. Today, it is still used in cosmetics and body care products such as hair dyes, shampoos, sunscreens, mouthwashes, toothpaste, deodorants, and bath preparations.
Chamomile was first cultivated in the United States by German settlers and soon became an important medicine by 19th century physicians to treat specific conditions in pregnant women and young children. Meanwhile in Germany, the average annual demand for German/Hungarian Chamomile reached 1,000 metric tons. This herb is widely used and culturally accepted in the country, known there as alles zutraut, which means “capable of anything.”
By 1984, the German Commission E approved the use of Chamomile flower preparations as internal nonprescription medicines for gastrointestinal spasms, inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and as external medicines for skin and mucous membrane inflammation, bacterial skin diseases, and inflammation of the respiratory tracts. Today, the Chamomile flower still remains one of the most in-demand medicinal plants in global trade.
Remember to join us each month as we explore the history, personality, clinical application, and more of Nancy’s favorite plants. Get a snippet of the properties and practical uses of these herbs and how they supported the health of our ancestors as well as how they can support us in our present day.
Resources:
Herbalgram | Mount Sinai | ACORN Herb School | Plantura | Science Direct | Why Farm It | Traditional Roots | Traditional Medicinals