pharmaceutical camomile
Cbamomilla recutita( Matricaria cbamomilla)
There is hardly any other plant that would be so widely distributed and enjoyed such popularity among peoples of different countries like chamomile. It is the official medicinal raw material in more than 25 countries of the world. Camomile was known in most states of the ancient world, for example in the Roman Empire. The etymology of the word "daisy" goes back to ancient Rome. Translated from the Latin romanus - "Roman".The scientific name of the genus Matricaria, to which the daisy belongs, also indicates its popularity. The popularity of chamomile in the people is also spoken by its folk names: maternal, uterine grass, morgan, bathing-house, Romanova grass, blush. The chamomile is widespread everywhere, except for the Far North, where, if it occurs, it develops poorly, forming dwarf specimens. It grows along roads, on wastelands, meadows, in sowings of rye, on sunny forest glades.
Description: chamomile is an herbaceous annual plant up to 40 cm high. The stem is furrowed, branching, densely olive. Leaves oblong, pinnate or double-pleated, divided into narrow linear lobes. Inflorescence - baskets with an elongated chromosome, sit on long pedicels, forming a scute. Flowers in the baskets are of two types: marginal - reed, white, female;internal - tubular, yellow, bisexual. Fruits are achenes. Blossoms in May-July, fruits ripen in June-September.
Composition: flower baskets contain up to 0.8 % essential oil, which contains chamazulene, various terpenes and sesquiterpenes. In addition to the essential oil, apiin, apigenin, prohamazulene, matricin, lactone matricarin, umbelliferone, organic acids, resins, bitterness and carotene were found in the baskets.
Cultivation: solar patches, prefer clay, humus soils. Sowing in the spring in rows at a distance of 20 cm. In droughty periods requires additional watering. It is possible to grow in flowerpots.
Collection: for medicinal purposes use flower baskets of chamomile without stems, with the remains of pedicels not longer than 3 cm, collect baskets at the beginning of flowering, when their receptacle has not yet become conical in May-June, tearing manually with a part of the peduncle not longer than 3see At the time of collection, white reed flowers should be placed horizontally. Dry in the shade or in dryers at a temperature of no higher than 40-50 ° C.Dry the raw materials should not be, as this leads to the grinding of the baskets. The well dried raw material has a pleasant aroma and a bitter-spicy taste.
Medicinal properties: infusion of flower chamomile baskets has an emollient, anti-inflammatory, soothing, analgesic, choleretic and diaphoretic effect. Essential oil and its components have a disinfectant, diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, azulene has an antiallergic effect and accelerates the processes of tissue regeneration and healing, apigenin and apion remove the spasms of the smooth muscles of the internal organs.
Application: infusion of flowers taken internally with inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract( gastritis, enterocolitis, colitis), flatulence( as carminative), stomach spasms and regulating menstrual cycle( with menstruation delays).More details about the application, see here.
With eczema, abscesses, burns infusion of chamomile make washings, lotions, baths. Infusion of colors used for rinsing with inflammation of the gums, oral mucosa and tonsillitis. Chamomile pharmacy is perfectly suitable for the care of blond hair, and as a means to strengthen hair( 4 tablespoons of color boil in 1 1/2 liters of water for 5 minutes, strain and decoction rinse your head after washing).Chamomile is suitable for any skin type, has a beneficial effect on sensitive, dry and thin skin, is used for steam baths for the face, and is also part of cleansing masks and creams. Chamomile tea, prepared at the rate of 15 g. Per 1 liter of water and insisted for 15 minutes, is recommended to drink during overfatigue, over-saturation of the body with caffeine, nicotine and alcohol, and also as a body-strengthening remedy.
Chamomile has an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin and mucous membranes, anti-catarrhal property, helps with flatulence, diaphoretic. An important place is in children's, and therapeutic cosmetics, in creams, ointments, powders, milk for the face, masks, waters, shampoos and bath foam. Washing the head with chamomile lightens the hair and gives them elasticity and shine. Chamomile is used inside and outwardly. It is an integral part in the mixture for teas and medicines( "Hamomilla", "Kdmilka" - oil, "Dermazulen", "Gerhsmankovaya ointment", etc.).Similar properties of the Roman chamomile( Anthemis nobilis L.) - a hardy cultivated species. It, like chamomile, also contains essential oil with a small amount of azulene and other substances. But the Roman chamomile is somewhat less effective. It has an anticonvulsant effect. It is used in cosmetics for skin refreshing of the face and light hair. In France, it is used as a spice for vermouth.