Chamomile

Matricaria recutita

  

Monograph

1. Plant Family:
• Asteraceae, or daisy family ^[2]
2. Habitat & Cultivation:
• Chamomile is native to southern and eastern Europe, however, it is grown in Germany, Hungary, France, Russia, Yugoslavia, Brazil, North Africa, Asia, North and South America, Australia, and New Zealand. ^[1]
3. Parts Used:
• Flowers ^[2]
4. Herbal Actions:
• Anti-emetic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-microbial
• Bitter
• Carminative
• Antispasmodic
• Demulcent
• Nervine
• Vulnerary ^[1]
5. Indications:
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Poor appetite
• Digestive upset
• Headache
• Nerve pain
• Teething
• Inflamed skin
• Conjunctivitis
• Urticaria
• Motion sickness
• Vertigo
• Fevers
• Muscle aches ^[2]
6. Plant Constituents:
• Volatile oils, sesquiterpenes, sesquiterpine lactones, flavonoid glycosides ^[2]
7. System Affinities:
• Nervous, integumentary, digestive, hepatic ^[2]  
8. Energetics:
• Bitter, cooling, pungent, acrid ^[3]
9. Safety:
• No contraindications known. Safe in pregnancy and lactation. ^[1]
10. Interactions:
• None known. ^[2]

Personal Experience

1. Organoleptics:
• Dried flower parts are yellow and brown, smell incredible. Sweet and grassy, like warm hay.
2. Preparation Method:
• Hot Infusion: Steep 2-3 tsp dried herb in 1 cup boiling water for 10 mins in a covered container, drink 3-4x/day. ^[1]
• Tincture: (1:5 in 40%) 1-4 mL 3x/day
3. Usage Notes:
•  I made a tea one day this week when I was feeling particularly over-stimulated and jittery. The taste wasn't very pleasant on its own - it's definitely bitter/sour at first and hay-like at the end, but I do feel like it helped me to relax. It also stimulated my appetite quite a bit. This herb works with the enteric nervous system - indicated for people with anxiety and GI issues. Very child-friendly.

Sources:

1. Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L. (2018). Week 3 Study Questions. Bastyr University: SP-18_MW5123-A Botanicals 3: Pregnancy.
2. Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L. (2018). Mood Disorders in Pregnancy [Powerpoint]. Bastyr University: SP-18_MW5123-A Botanicals 3: Pregnancy.
3. Frawley, D. & Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press.