Ipsophyto

No 5 Chamomile….Matricaria recutita Asteracea family

This species (German chamomile) is an annual, with a distinctive growth form and smell. It is a botanically and pharmacologically distinct species to Chamaemelum nobile (roman chamomile) although there is sufficient pharmacological ‘overlap’ for the two species to be used interchangeably, justifying, according to Simon Mills the esteemed herbal medicine scientist, for their overlap in clinical use.

The plant has thin and wispy, bi or tri-pinnate leaves and seldom reaches above 50cm when in flower. The flowering stalks are terminal bearing their corolla’s on peduncles, revealing the distinctive small cones of composite flowers. They comprise, white ligulate ray florets surrounding yellow tubular florets. The ray florets are often characteristically bent downwards, and are often as not lost on drying. These flowers taste bitter and are distinctly aromatic, imparting an odour instantly recognised by many.

This distinctly (to my pallet, pleasant) aroma of chamomile is in contrast to its close relative, ‘stinking mayweed’ (another Matricaria species) which seems to be beloved by strange hippy types at festivals who then proceed to make a horrible cup of tea. The mayweed is definitely more common of the two species and care is needed to correctly identify, usually by differences in the flower.

Chamomile is found in many areas in the south of the UK, being a popular garden escapee, as well as sometimes-cultivated crop. It likes edges of cultivated fields, waysides and many other places throughout southern England and Europe.

Parts used
The flowers, preferably just before opening. Commonly an infusion is made, simply by steeping the herb with just-past-boiling water.

Constituents
A volatile oil, including bisabolol, proazulenes, flavonoids, glycoside, coumarin, tannins. Valerianic acid, spiroether.

Pharmacology
The azulenes and bisabolol are anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic, reducing histamine-induced reactions such as anaphylaxsis, and hay-fever, allergic asthma and eczema, also being shown to hasten healing of peptic ulcers. Flavonoids are anti-spasmodic. Valerianic acid is sedative whilst spiroether is a stronger anti-spasmodic than papaverine. The whole plant is shown to be anti-spasmodic in Labaoratory tests, inhibiting contractions provoked by histamine. They are also anti-inflammatory.

Applications
Include general relaxant, uterine relaxant, anti-inflammatory, peripheral vasodilator and bitter. There are strong traditional uses of the two plants we sometimes mistakenly think of as one. For centuries used to treat convulsions, nervous insomnia, and nervous tension. This is an excellent remedy to use on offspring, being gentle and effective.

In these 21st century days of fast food and stress the plant could be employed to great effect on those people who simply need to relax and chill out. Chamomile is also perfect for those people who have either imbibed too much alcohol or had one too many curries. As this is a male dominated activity a lot of the time, the plant warrants inclusion in a booklet designed for the use of men

In the garden it has a reputation of being a companion plant, of benefit to others wherever it grows. Certainly, most aromatic herbs have beneficial effects within the garden eco-system, either from their abilities to fend of pests or by root exudates, which can exert beneficial or harmful effects on neighbouring plants.