Chamomile officinalis is a herbaceous annual plant with a branched stem and double-pinnately divided leaves with narrow linear lobes.
Flowers are collected in medium-sized baskets, the petals consist of reed white marginal and middle tubular yellow petals. Unlike daisies of other species, chamomile officinalis is endowed with an oblong-conical receptacle, hollow inside. Plant height reaches 20 - 40cm.
Chamomile, properties
Chamomile blooms in May-September, i.e. throughout the summer.
The chamomile flower is found everywhere - in gardens, in fields, cultivated on plantations for growing medicinal plants.
Flowers are used in the treatment.
Chamomile is harvested in May - August.
Chemical composition and action
The composition of chamomile flowers includes an essential oil, including a substance similar to coumarins called hamalusen. They also contain acids (caprylic, salicylic, ascorbic, isovaleric, nicotinic), potassium and calcium s alts, flavonoids, mucus,lactones, bitters, protein, choline, phytosterols, tannins, alcohol, carotene.
Chamomile acts as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic, anticonvulsant, disinfectant, antispasmodic, carminative, astringent, antiallergic, sedative, diuretic, antiulcer. Chamomile tends to increase the secretion of the glands of the gastrointestinal tract, stimulate appetite, reduce fermentation processes, relax smooth muscles, and dilate the vessels of the heart. It also increases bile secretion, relieves inflammation, and reduces spasm of the bile ducts.
Application
Used for flatulence in the form of enemas and decoctions. With chronic and acute inflammation of the stomach and intestines (gastritis, colitis, enterocolitis, hemorrhoids, duodenal ulcer and stomach ulcers, colitis with a predominance of constipation, allergic gastritis and colitis), cholecystitis, hepatitis. With neurological diseases - chorea, hysteria, epilepsy, headache, migraine, insomnia, inflammation of the trigeminal nerve. For colds with respiratory diseases, rinsing with chamomile infusion is used. Outwardly, flowers in the form of a decoction are used for skin diseases. Hot poultices are made for joint pain.
Recipes
1. A tablespoon of dry chamomile is infused in a glass of boiling water and drunk several times a day, a tablespoon before meals for 15 minutes.
2. Infuse a teaspoon of flowers in a glass of boiling water and drink 1/3 cup three times a day half an hour before meals. For children, reduce the dose toteaspoon.
3. Sick joints are treated with chamomile and black elderberry flowers. To do this, they are laid out in a gauze bag in an even layer, rolled up, poured with boiling water and compresses are made on the joints for 30-40 minutes.
4. A tablespoon of dried flowers insist in a glass of boiling water. For douching, rinsing is used externally. Used in the form of lotions and enemas.
Chamomile officinalis is contraindicated in pregnancy, with a tendency to diarrhea should be used with caution. Sometimes large doses can cause headaches and weakness.
