Other Names:  Chamomile is taxonomically very difficult and there are almost as many names as there are authorities! Though the three names given above are the ones currently listed in the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, many Herbals use out of date names and the following list is an attempt to clarify the situation:

Chamaemelum nobile (Perennial)

                   = Anthemis nobilis

                   = English chamomile

                   = Roman chamomile

Chamaemelum mixtum (Annual)

                   = Ormenis multicoil

                   = Ormenis multicaulis

                   = Ormenis mixta

                   = Ormenis mixtum

                   = Anthemis mixta

                   = Moroccan chamomile

Matricaris recutita (Annual)

                   = Matricaria chamomilla

                   = German chamomile

Family Name:  Asteraceae (Compositae)

Common Names:  Chamomile, Cammomile, German Chamomile, Roman Chamomile, Moroccan Chamomile, English Camomile

Parts Used:  Flowers

Botanical Description

C. nobile:  Aromatic perennial to 30 cm (12’’) with creeping rootstock, low growing, hairy stems, branched and supporting leaflets divided pinnately. Flowers consist of white ligulate florets with small yellow disc florets in the centre, borne singly on long erect stems, from mid-summer to mid-autumn.

C. mixtum:  A somewhat pubescent annual, 10-60 cm (4-24’’), often much branched, otherwise similar to C. nobile.

M. recutita:  Aromatic glabrous annual to 60 cm (2’). Stems erect, much branched with 2-3 pinnate leaves with almost filiform segments. Flower heads pedunculate, single at branchlet apices to 2 cm (0.75’’) wide. White ligulate ray florets and yellow disc florets, receptacle hollow and conical. Flowers mid-summer to mid or late autumn.

Distribution

C. nobile:  Indigenous to southern Europe; introduced and widespread elsewhere. Prefers dry, sandy soil in full sun.

C. mixtum:  Mediterranean and south-west Europe, extending northwards to the south coast of France. Found in cultivated fields, roadsides and maritime sands.

M. recutita:  Indigenous to Europe and northern Asia; naturalized in North America. Widespread in wasteland, farmland and in gardens.

Cultivation

All species:  well-drained, moist to dry, neutral to slightly acid soil in sun. Propagate by seed sown in spring or autumn or by division (C. nobile) in spring. Autumn sowing is more successful. Chamomile is often called the ‘plant doctor’ because ailing plants are reputedly cured if Chamomile is planted next to them and cut flowers keep longer if Chamomile tea is added to the vase water, also the tea is said to prevent damping of fungus in seedlings.

Harvest

Flowers are gathered when just open, and dried or frozen. C. mixtum is the species most used for essentil oil (Blue Chamomile). Flowers rapidly lose volatile oil when dried.

Constituents

Ø       Volatile oil - a thick fluid, fully soluble in ethyl alcohol. Oil content 0.2-0.3% up to 1.0% in German Chamomile and 0.5% in Hungarian. The oil is mainly contained in the flowers. The flowers - ray and tubular florets give a blue oil; the receptacle and involucre give a green oil. The oil contains chamazulene (Y-azulene) in the flower only. Good oil contains up to 1.0% Y-azulene.

Ø       10% monocyclic sesquiterpenes, 20% sesquiterpenol alcohol. Tricyclic sesquiterpene alcohols, tri and bicyclic alcohol. Decyclic ether, thermolabile terpenochrome, 3% unknown bitter, flavone glycoside called apiin (aglycone=apigenin), salicylic acids, bisabolol, coumarin derivative=dioxycoumarin, umbelliferone, methylether, mucin, fatty acids, cholin, tannins, malic acid.

Properties:  Diaphoretic, Stomachic, Tonic, Anti-Spasmodic

In hot infusion the Chamomile flowers will produce diaphoresis and a good flow of blood to the surface. They expend their influence somewhat promptly upon the circulation, stomach, nerves and uterus. They are useful in colds, remitting and bilious fevers, and puerperal fever.

Where the menstrual flow is painful and slow, the cold preparation will be found useful, having a quite decided effect upon the uterus in relieving congestion and stimulating the flow. In colds, the warm infusion with the addition of a little ginger will be found effective. This combination is also good in bilious fever.

While placed here among the diaphoretics, Chamomile flowers have for centuries been used successfully as a stomachic. In bilious headache and indigestion they have been a common remedy in many households.

A poultice of Chamomile flowers is excellent in the reduction of swellings where it is not desirable to bring them to a head. We have for many years used the following as a fomentation in the treatment of painful bruises, swellings, neuralgia and toothache:

Chamomile Flowers..................... 1 ounce

Three Poppy Heads.

Break the Poppy heads and mix together. Pour on sufficient boiling water to make into a poultice, and apply as hot as possible. It not only relieves the pain but, in addition, will reduce the swelling. The flowers should not be boiled as volatile oil will escape in the steam. A good way to prepare a drink for digestive trouble out of the Chamomile is to infuse about five or six of the flowers in half a cup of boiling water, allow to stand a few minutes, then drink the whole. This has been effective in many of the lighter digestive troubles.

Contraindications

None known.

Side effects:  extremely rare contact allergy.