German Chamomile is a sweetly aromatic annual growing to 2 ft (60 cm), with finely cut leaves and white flower heads.
• Herb consumed as tea and is caffeine-free, but a source of the Phytochemical apigenin.
Plant Description
History
Types & Varieties
Varieties of Chamomile
Mechanism of Action
Additional Information
Key Actions
• Anodyne
• Anti-Inflammatory
• Anti-bacterial
• Anti-allergenic
• Anti-Spasmodic
• Relaxant
• Anxiolytic (anti-Anxiety)
• Bitter Tonic
• Carminative
• Nervine
• VulneraryGerman Chamomile Essential Oil
German Chamomile Oil is extracted from the inflorescences (flowers) of German Chamomile via Steam distillation.
Properties:
• Anti-Spasmodic,
• Anti-septic,
• Anti-Biotic,
• Anti-depressant,
• Anti-neuralgic,
• Anti-phlogistic,
• Carminative,
• Cholagogue,
• Cicatrisant,
• Emmenagogue,
• Analgesic,
• Febrifuge,
• Hepatic,
• Sedative,
• Nervine,
• Digestive,
• Tonic,
• Anti-Spasmodic,
• Bactericidal,
• Sudorific,
• Stomachic,
• Anti-Inflammatory,
• Anti-infectious,
• Vermifuge,
• VulneraryHealth Benefits:
• Cures spasm,
• Protects Wounds from being septic and Infection,
• Checks biotic growth or Infections,
• Fights Depression and uplifts mood,
• Cures neuralgic pain by reducing swelling in the vessels,
• Soothes inflammation due to Fever,
• Removes gases,
• Promotes discharge of bile,
• Helps fading away of scars and after-marks,
• Opens up obstructed menses and regularises them,
• Cures pain,
• Reduces Fever,
• Good for Liver,
• Sedates inflammation and hyper-reactions,
• Restores health of Nervous System,
• Aids digestion,
• Tones up all aspects of health,
• Cures spasm,
• Kills bacteria,
• Increases perspiration,
• Improves functioning of stomach,
• Soothes inflammation,
• Fights Infections,
• Kills worms,
• Promotes healing up of Wounds,German Chamomile Common Uses:
• Allergies,
• Anxiety,
• Anxiety / Stress,
• Blood sugar regulation,
• Breastfeeding,
• Childbirth,
• Cold and Colds (Flu),
• Colic,
• Dermatitis, Diabetes,
• Digestion,
• Digestive complaints,
• Eczema,
• Fever,
• For Children,
• Gastrointestinal disorders,
• Harm reduction from cannabis,
• Harm reduction opiates/Alcohol,
• Headaches,
• Heart Palpitations,
• Indigestion,
• Infections,
• Inflammation,
• Miscarriage,
• Nausea,
• Nervous System,
• Nicotine and drug withdrawal,
• Pain,
• Relaxation,
• Restlessness,
• Stress,
• Sugar Metabolism,
• Tension,
• Trauma (Emotional),
• Upset stomach,
Usable Parts
Flowers, essential-oil
• Flower heads may be used fresh or dried. They should be picked on the day they open, when the active constituents are at their strongest.
• The flowers are harvested as they open in summer.
Directions of Preparation
• Infusion: – A heaped teaspoon to 1/4 litre of water, infused for a short time or pour 1 cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of German Chamomile flowers and let it stand for 10-20 minutes as an infusion.
• Bath addition: – For a full bath use 2 double handfuls, for facial and Hair wash 1 handful of German Chamomile flowers, pour boiling water over them and infuse.
• Massage: – 1/4 litre of boiling Milk is poured over a heaped tablespoon of German Chamomile, infused for a short time, strained and used warm.
• Inhalation: – 1 litre of boiling water is poured over a heaped tablespoon of German Chamomile. The Steam is inhaled under a towel.
• Herb pillow: – A linen bag is filled with loosely dried German Chamomile flowers and stitched up; warmed in a dry pan and used.
• Oil: – A small bottle is filled loosely with fresh German Chamomile flowers picked in the sun and cold-pressed olive-oil is poured in until it covers the flowers. The bottle, well closed is kept in the sun for 14 days then store in the refrigerator.
• Ointment: – 250gm of oil is heated, one heaped double handful of fresh German Chamomile flowers are added; as it foams it is stirred, removed from the stove, covered and kept in a cool place overnight. Next day it is warmed and pressed through a piece of linen. The best way to do this is to place a sieve with a piece of linen inside over a jug or pot with a spout, strain and squeeze out the last bit of oil. The ointment mass is stirred and filled into clean glass jars or pots.
• Tincture: – Use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon dissolved in water 3 times a day.
• Compress: – Apply a cold infusion directly to the afected part using pieces of gauze or Cotton cloth.
• Preparation:
• 2-3 tsp/cup, steep covered 10 mins (1/2 tsp for children/babies). Drink freely.
Recommended Dosage
Dried flowerheads – 2–8 g as an infusion three times daily.
Liquid extract – 1–4mL (1 : 1 in 45% Alcohol) three times daily.
Cream – Rub on to sore or itchy Skin.
Essential Oil – For Diaper rash, combine 5 drops with 1 tbsp carrier oil and apply.
Infusion with flower heads – For a good night’s sleep, drink 3/4 cup (150 ml) before bed.
Infusion – To relax irritable and overtired children, infuse 4 tsp dried herb in 2 cups (500 ml) water (see p. 291) and Strain into a bath. Drink upto 3 cups of infusion per day.
Ointment – Rub onto sore or inflamed Skin.
Tincture – For Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), take 1 tsp diluted with 1/2 cup (100 ml) water 3 times a day.
Its Active Constituents:
• German Chamomile active ingredients are:
• Essential volatile oils (such as camazulene, bisabol),
• Volatile oil (proazulenes, farnesine, alpha-bisabolol, spiroether)
• Flavonoids (apigenin, apigetrin, apiin, luteolin, Quercetin, quercimeritrin and Rutin)
• Bitter Glycosides (anthemic acid)
• Coumarins (umbelliferone and its methyl ether, heniarin)
• Mucilage,
• Cumarin,
• Flavone,
• Mucin,
• Fatty acids and Sugars.
Note:
* German Chamomile is even said to be medicinal to other plants – try placing a German Chamomile plant next to a sick plant or use German Chamomile tea to water your sick plants.
Precaution:
* Avoid if allergic to Asteraceae/Compositae plants Chrysanthemums, daisies, Marigolds, ragweed.
* When used for an extended period, it can cause the Skin to take on a yellowish discolouration.
* The fresh plant can cause dermatitis.
* Do not take the Essential Oil internally except under professional supervision.
* Take only on professional advice if using blood-thinning medication.
* Do not use the oil externally during Pregnancy.
* German Chamomile cause allergastrointestinalc reactions effect, due to its sesquiterpene lactones content.
Health Benefits of German Chamomile
Detoxification
• If not urinating well (passing water well), a glassful of German Chamomile tea drunk every mornings and evenings is beneficial.
• boiled flowers, applied to an ill bladder eases the pain.
Foods & Detoxification
Digestive System
• Its taken for Digestive problems (such as Indigestion, acidity, Gastritis, gas, Bloating, hiatal Hiatus Hernia, Peptic Ulcer, Crohn’s Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Colic) and very suitable for children.
• German Chamomile is an excellent Digestive and relaxing remedy, and effective Anti-Spasmodic.
• Its tea is of help in Flatulence, Diarrhea, stomach troubles and Gastritis and in all abdominal disorders or gastrointestinal conditions (such as upset stomach, gas, and Diarrhea).
Foods & Digestive System
Energy
• In ancient medicine, German Chamomile Oil takes away the tiredness of limbs.
Foods & Energy
Eye
• German Chamomile also relieves Eyestrain.
• Externally, its used as a massage and a wash for inflamed Eyes, Conjunctivitis, moist and itching Skin eruptions, Wounds, and as a gargle for toothache.
• Against eye-pain, its boiled in Milk is applied as a massage over the closed Eyes which heals in a short time.
Foods & Eye
Hair
• Its used as a Hair conditioner, (especially on blond Hair), managing and giving it a beautiful shine.
Foods & Hair
Immune System
• Its an antiseptic (Anti-Microbial substances that are applied to living tissue/Skin to reduce the possibility of Infection, sepsis, or putrefaction) and Anti-Inflammatory, especially in cases of inflammation of the mucous membranes.
Foods & Immune System
Infant
• German Chamomile flowers also reduce irritability and promote sleep even helpful for children.
• Give its tea in any case, the child/baby should be suffering from cramps and stomach aches.
• It is famous as a remedy (as a tea as well as a homeopathic) for anxious or irritated babies, teething pain and Colic.
Foods & Infant
Infections
• German Chamomile is useful for Hay Fever and Asthma.
• It can be used as a facial Steam for Hay Fever and Sinus Congestion. On Steam distillation, the proazulenes produce chamazulene (a markedly anti-allergenic).
• German Chamomile ointment may also be used to promote the healing of Wounds.
• People regained their hearing, when green field Onion (Ornithogalum caudatum) is fried in German Chamomile Oil and the warm oil is dropped into the ear frequently.
Foods & Infections
Intestine
• German Chamomile tea is of help in Flatulence, Diarrhea, stomach troubles and Gastritis and in all abdominal disorders.
• It helps the movement of the bowels without purging and is therefore indirectly beneficial for Hemorrhoids to which German Chamomile ointment can be applied externally.
• It produces perspiration, is soothing and antispasmodic (a drug used to relieve spasm of involuntary muscle).
• If you are feeling aggravated, drink a cup of its tea and soon the wonderfully soothing and Sedative effect is felt.
Foods & Intestine
Men Health
• German Chamomile tea is of helpful in inflammation of the testicles.
Foods & Men Health
Musculoskeletal System
• German Chamomile can be used to ease Digestive problems, to treat Colds and Allergies, and also relaxes the peripheral nerves and muscles.
• It contain spiroether (a strong Anti-Spasmodic) eases tense muscles and period pain.
Foods & Musculoskeletal System
Respiratory System
• German Chamomile Steam is inhaled to relieve Colds and maxillary Sinusitis, but after such a treatment one must understandably remain warm.
Foods & Respiratory System
Skin Health
• Its externally used for sore Skin and Eczema, thus applied to sore, itchy Skin, sore nipples, and Eczema.
• The face washed with it once a week will soon show a healthier and softer glow.
Foods & Skin Health
The Brain & Nervous System
• German Chamomile has a powerful effect on the Nervous System, helping alleviate psychological Anxiety and physiological symptoms of Stress.
• Its baths and washings are most beneficial to the whole Nervous System (after severe illnesses or for states of exhaustion), through its soothing and quieting effect.
• Its tea is beneficial for Insomnia, thus used today as a traditional remedy for sleeplessness and Anxiety.
Foods & Nervous System
Women Health
• Its effective in relieving the physical and emotional symptoms of Pre-Menstrual Syndrome.
• Its tea is of help in Menstrual Disorders, cessation of Menstrual flow.
• Its poultice can be applied to sore breasts.
Foods & Women Health
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)
(per 100g) of
Chamomile
