Chamomile Benefit for Our Health

Matricaria recutita or German chamomile, also spelled camomile, is an annual plant of the sunflower family Asteraceae. It usually grows near populated areas all over Europe and temperate Asia. It is widely introduced in temperate North America and Australia. As the seeds need open soil to survive, it often grows near roads, around landfills and in cultivated fields as a weed. Other names include blue chamomile, wild chamomile, Hungarian chamomile, and scented mayweed. The branched stem is erect and smooth and grows to a height of 15-60 cm. The long and narrow leaves are bipinnate or tripinnate. The flowers are borne in paniculate capitula. The white ray florets are furnished with a ligule, while the disc florets are yellow. The hollow receptacle is swollen and lacks scales. This property distinguished German Chamomile from Corn Chamomile (Anthemis arvensis), which has a receptacle with scales. The flowers have a strong, aromatic smell, and bloom in early to mid summer.

German Chamomile is used medicinally against sore stomach, irritable bowel syndrome, and as a gentle sleep aid. It can also aid in the assistance of defecation. It can be taken as an herbal tea, two teaspoons of dried flower per cup of tea. For a sore stomach, some recommend taking a cup every morning without food for two to three months. It is also used as a mouthwash against oral mucositis. It has acaricidal properties against certain mites, such as Psoroptes cuniculi. The primary known active ingredient of the essential oil from German Chamomile is bisabolol. ^[3] Other active ingredients include chamazulene, flavonoids and coumarin.

The other usage of chamomile

• Chamomile has been widely used in children and adults for thousands of years for a variety of health conditions.
• The herb is often used for sleeplessness; anxiety; and gastrointestinal conditions such as upset stomach, gas, and diarrhea.
• It is used topically for skin conditions and for mouth ulcers resulting from cancer treatment.