Chamomile Flowers
Botanical name: (Matricaria recutita, Matricaria chamomilla)
Also Known As: Chamomile, Wild Chamomile, Sweet Chamomile, German Chamomile, Hungarian Chamomile, Mayweed, Scented Mayweed
Chamomile, a member of the daisy family, is native to Europe and western Asia. It grows freely everywhere. Roman chamomile is a low European perennial found in dry fields and around gardens and cultivated grounds. The solitary, terminal flower heads, rising 8 to 12 inches above the ground, consist of prominent yellow disk flowers and silver—white ray flowers. It flowers in June and July.
Chamomile has been used for centuries as a medicinal plant, mostly for gastrointestinal complaints. This practice continues today. It is used in various parts of the world as a table tea. It was used to regulate monthly periods. It is splendid for kidneys, spleen, colds, bronchitis, bladder troubles, to expel worms, for argue, dropsy, and jaundice. The tea was believed to make an excellent wash for sore and weak eyes and also for other open sores and wounds.
Chamomile was used as a poultice for pains and swellings. Used for hysteria and nervous diseases, prevention of gangrene, for breaking up typhoid and in combination with bittersweet for bruises, sprains, calluses and corns.
Clinical studies have shown that chamomile has mild sedative effects when administered as a tea. Animal studies have shown that Chamomile volatile oil when administered orally to rabbits with impaired kidney function normalized the uremic condition. This shows that chamomile may be useful in the treatment of impaired kidney functions. The flavonoids apigenin had shown antihistaminic effects in animal studies.
Chamomile was also shown useful for reducing inflammation in arthritis. It also relaxed smooth muscle of the intestine. Chamomile was a popular eye wash for treating conjunctivitis and other reactions. It had also been found to promote wound healing.
Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration, and this product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. We at eSutras do not recommend internal use of supplements or herbs without prior consultation with your doctor or herbalist.
