Chamomile - Medicinal Uses, Interactions, Dosage

Chamomile
Alternative Names:
Matricaria recutita , Pinheads, Scented mayweed, Sweet false chamomile.
Herb Description
Chamomile is one of the oldest garden herbs, with wispy 2 to 3 pinnate leaves and terminal peduncles supporting single flower heads. For medicinal use, German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is by far the most famous, but Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is also used .These erect annual plants belong to the sunflower family Asteraceae . The flower heads are the primary plant parts used in herbal medicine. It is commonly found all over Europe and temperate parts of Asia. It is widely introduced in temperate North America and Australia . It generally matures near road sides, around landfills and in cultivated areas as a weed .
The ancient Egyptians regarded it an universal remedy & even today it is carry on to be used to fight illness, promote calm and ebb anxiety at bedtime. As an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and anxiolytic it has a long history of use. Chamomile is naturally caffeine-free and can be used as a herbal tea. It boosts wound healing, resists certain bacteria on the skin, and has a mild tranquilizing effect.
Uses and Benefits
Traditionally chamomile used for skin inflammation, colic or dyspepsia, and anxiety . Both Roman & German chamomile have been employed medicinally for hundreds of years & adopted as an anti inflammatory, antispasmodic, and calming agent.
Topically, it is used to cure inflammatory skin and mucous membrane disorders, or orally for minor colicky digestive problems and anxiety or nervousness. It is widely used as a beverage, food additive, and flavoring agent, and in cosmetic, bath, and hair products.
In current Europe, chamomile supplements, including tinctures ,extracts, teas, and salves, are extensively used as antibacterial, anti inflammatory, antispasmodic, and sedative agents. Extracts are taken to lull irritation & pain , heal wounds & ulcers, and aid prevention as well as cure cystitis and dental afflictions .
Chamomile is used to treat various disorders include:

• Bruises.


• Scrapes.


• Skin irritations.


• Joint pain.


• Acne.


• Arthritis.


• Burns.


• Skin ulcer.


• Wounds.


• Digestive disorders.


• Menstrual cramps.


• PMS.


• Headache.

• Liquid Extract (1:1) :

45% of alcohol, 1 to 4 milliliters should be used three times daily.

• Dried flower :

2 to 4 grams or by infusion should be used three times daily.

• Tincture (1:5) :

45% of alcohol, 3 to 10 milliliters should be used three times daily.

• Externally :

3 to 10% of the drug by infusions or semi-solid preparations should be used three times daily.

Article Source: http://www.thehealthmanual.com

Steve Mathew is a writer, who writes many great articles on herbal medicines for common ailments and diseases. For more information on Chamomile visit our site on health care.

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