MATRICARIA (German Chamomile)

Compositae/Asteraceae

A genus of about five species of Eurasian annuals, which occasionally may live longer as biennials or short-lived perennials. The genus has undergone revision, and M. recutita, common in Europe and western Asia to India, is often listed under its synonyms in older literature. Easily raised from seed, it gives an attractive display of feathery foliage and daisy-like flowers in summer. It is not suitable for chamomile lawns.

German Chamomile is similar in chemistry to Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), but has a less pronounced aroma. Some Herbalists combine the flowers, using two parts German to one part Roman, while others prefer Roman chamomile, especially in its double variant, C.n. "Flore Pleno". German chamomile has a slightly higher proportion of volatile oil, containing an anti-inflammatory and analgesic that is particularly effective in healing burns and preventing ulceration and infection. It is less bitter as an ingredient of herb teas than is Roman chamomile.

Matricaria parthenium, See-Tanacetum parthenium.

Roman Chamomile, see - Chamaemelum nobile

Matricaria recutita

syn. Matricaria chamomilla, Chamomilla recutita

(German chamomile, scented mayweed)

German Chamomile's aromatic, slightly bitter taste, reminiscent of apples, is familiar to Herbal tea drinkers. The herb's varied medicinal uses, however, are not as well known. It is an excellent herb for many digestive disorders and for nervous tension and irritability. Externally, it is used for sore skin and eczema. Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is a close relative, used in a similar way.

German chamomile has been taken for digestive problems since at least the 1st century AD. Gentle and efficacious, it is very suitable for children. The herb is valuable for pain, indigestion, acidity, gas, gastritis, bloating, and colic. It is also used for hiatus hernia, peptic ulcer, Crohn's disease, and irritable bowel syndrome.

German chamomile, which contains spiroether, a very strong antispasmodic, relaxes tense, aching muscles and eases menstrual pain. It also relieves irritability and promotes sleep, especially in children.

German chamomile is useful for hay fever and asthma. The proazulenes in the herb produce chamazulenes on steam distillation, which is markedly anti-allergenic. Externally, it can be applied to sore, itchy skin & eczema. It also relieves eyestrain.

German chamomile grows wild and is cultivated in much of Europe and other temperate regions.

Sweetly scented annual or biennial with much-branched stems and finely divided leaves. Daisy-like flowers are produced from early summer to autumn.

HEIGHT:  6-24 inches (15-60 cm.), SPREAD: 4-15 inches (10-38 cm.).

PARTS USED:  Flowers.

CONSTITUENTS: Volatile oil (proazulenes, farnesine, alpha-bisabolol, spiroether), flavonoids (anthemidin, luteolin, rutin), bitter glycosides (anthemic acid), coumarins, plant acids, fatty acids, salicylate derivatives, choline, tannin.

KEY ACTIONS:  Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, relaxant, carminative, mild bitter, anti-allergenic.

PROPAGATION:  By seed sown in autumn or spring.

SPACING:  Thin to 9 inches apart.

CULTIVATION:  Light, well drained, moist to dry, neutral to slightly acid soil in sun.

COMPANION PLANTING:  Grow this "physician" plant near a failing plant to "revive" it.

HARVEST:  Flowers are collected when first fully opened and are used fresh, frozen, or dried in infusions, liquid extracts, and powders. For long-term storage, flowers are better used fresh or frozen, because they lose volatile oil rapidly when dried.

PROPERTIES:  A bitter, aromatic, sedative herb that relaxes spasms, reduces inflammation, relieves pain, and promotes healing. It benefits the digestion and stimulates the immune system.

AROMATIC:  For use in potpourri and herb pillows.

ECONOMIC:  Added to cosmetics as an anti-allergenic agent, and to hair preparations as a conditioner and lightener. Boil flowers for 20 minutes, and use regularly as a rinse to lighten and condition fair hair. Infuse as a facial steam and as a hand soak to soften and whiten skin. Make an eye bath or tea bag compress to reduce inflammation and eliminate fatigue shadows. Add infusion for a reviving bath.

MEDICINAL:  Internally for nervous digestive upsets, insomnia, travel sickness, and children?s complaints, such as teething, colic, and infantile convulsions. Externally for wounds, sunburn, burns, hemorrhoids, mastitis, and leg ulcers.

WARNING:  Persons allergic to members of the compositae family (ragweed, aster, chrysanthemum) should be cautious in using this plant. The fresh leaves can cause dermatitis. Do not take the essential oil internally except under professional supervision. Do not use the oil externally during pregnancy.

RESEARCH:

Trials in Germany: A cream made from German chamomile was tested in 1987 for its ability to heal wounds and produced very positive results. In 1993, a trial using German chamomile and 4 other herbs showed them to be most effective at easing infantile colic.

KEY PREPARATIONS & THEIR USES:

Cream:    Rub onto sore or itchy skin.

Essential oil: For diaper rash, combine 5 drops with 20 ml carrier oil and apply.

Infusion: For a good nights sleep, drink 1 cup infused flower heads.

Ointment: Rub onto sore or inflamed skin.

Tincture: For irritable bowel syndrome, take 1 tsp. diluted with 100 ml of water 3 times a day.

Allergic states with excessive nasal congestion, such as hay fever:

Make a steam inhalation by infusing 15g of herb or put 5-10 drops of essential oil in 750 ml water. Inhale for 10 minutes.

Eczema with weeping skin: Make an infusion using 50 g of herb to 750 ml of water. Apply directly to the itchy area when cool, or add the hot infusion to a warm bath and soak in it for at least 20 minutes.

Indigestion, abdominal pain, bloating & hiccups: Make an infusion in a covered container. Drink up to 5 cups a day.

Insomnia: Make an infusion in a covered container using 1-2 heaping tsp. per cup of water. Take prior to sleeping. Alternatively, take 1 tsp. of tincture with water up to 3 times a night.

Mild asthma, wheezing & shortness of breath: Make an infusion with 2 heaping tsp.of the herb to a cup of water and leave to stand for 10 minutes in a covered saucepan. Remove the lid, inhale the steam, and strain and drink the tea. Option: Use the essentialoil in a steam inhalation, or inhale 2 drops of undiluted oil placed on a handkerchief.

Morning sickness & nausea: Make an infusion in a covered container. Sip small quantities during the day. Do not drink more than 5 cups a day.

Sore & tired eyes: Make a compress by infusing a chamomile tea bag for 5 minutes, or make a poultice with 15g to 250 ml of water. Cool, squeeze out excess liquid, and place tea bag or poultice over the eye.

Breast tenderness & sore nipples: Make a compress with an infusion of 50g of herb and 250 ml of water. Place gently over the breasts. Repeat as often as required.

Stomachache: Mix 3 parts chamomile to 1 part of a carminative herb and make an infusion. For the carminative herbs, use Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seeds, Anise (Pimpinella anisum), Mint (Mentha spp.) leaves, or Angelica (Angelica archangelica) root. Drink up to 5 cups a day.

FOR INFANTS & CHILDREN:

NOTE:  The doses listed are for children 1-6 years old. For other ages, adapt the dose as follows:

6-12 months old-1/2 dose.

7-13 years old-1 1/2 dose.  (These doses apply for Chamomile only, for other Herbal doses, see-Doses for children).

To relax fractious and over-tired children: infuse 4 tsp. dried herb in 500 ml of water and strain into a bath.

Digestive upsets, gas & colic: Make an infusion with 1 level tsp. to 1 cup water. Give up to 3 cups a day.

Teething: Give German Chamomile infusion (as above), or make a paste from Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) powder & the infusion, and rub on the gums.

Difficulty in sleeping: Make infusion & give 1-2 cups before bedtime.

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