(Latin name - Matricaria Chamomilla L.)
General News
This is an annual plant that occurs throughout Europe, Asia, North America and Australia. In Poland it grows like a weed field near the roads and wasteland. Due to high demand chamomile is often grown on plantations. It has a branched stalk - up to 60 cm. The flowers are collected in baskets, arranged individually. The plant is strongly aromatic. It blooms from May to June. Chamomile flowers from Central European countries contain more oil than the Southern.
Raw material
For medicinal purposes is collected baskets of chamomile (Anthodium Chamomillae) with the shortest possible stalk, when white flowers at the periphery are the horizontal position. It dries quickly in przewiewie at 35 * C. After drying, it should be stored in an airtight container in a cool dry place.
The active compounds in the plant
Flowers contain 0.3 - 1.3% essential oil. Its components are: chamazulene (6-18%), postazulen, alpha-bisabolol and its oxides (25 - 50%), spiroeter, beta - farnazen, mircen, kadinen, and others. The second group of flavonoids (plant compounds with antioxidant activity), such as apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, 7-glucosides and three derivatives kumarynowe: umbeliferon and herniaryna. The flowers themselves are spirocykliczne polyacetylenes, choline, carotenoids, minerals, and locks (up to 17%).
Action
Extracts of chamomile contains essential oils and thus exert anti-inflammatory effect on mucous membranes and skin. The most active compounds are alpha-bisabolol and spiroeter, and to a lesser extent chamazulene credited with antiallergic effect. Spiroeter inhibits the secretion of histamine (mediator triggering an allergic reaction) and serotonin, and bradykinin (substances that cause inflammation). Flavonoids and compounds contained in the flowers kumarynowe run smooth muscle relaxant in the gut, eliminating the symptoms of intestinal colic. Thanks camomile restores the normal peristalsis (intestinal peristalsis), prevents flatulence and is an effective carminative. Works also żółciotwórczo and calming. Infusions given to young children work slightly laxative effect. Elimination of the active compounds of chamomile followed by renal excretion and exerts anti-inflammatory effect on the balls kidney, ureters and bladder. Some importance is also choline, present in raw large quantities to lipotropics and anti-inflammatory action. Compounds azulenes (Camomile) inactivate the action of toxins produced by staphylococci and streptococci and also quickly reduce or completely eliminate the pain, itching and burning. Extracts of chamomile used externally run strong anti-inflammatory and a bit less przeciwuczuleniowo. Chamomile for hair infusions rozjaśniająco work and give them a slightly golden tint.
On the basis of chamomile produced homeopathic medicine called Chamomilla, extremely effective in children, elimination of symptoms associated with teething: anxiety, irritability, insomnia. fever, dyspepsia.
Adverse reactions
There were no adverse reactions, even in infants.
Application
The infusion of chamomile for internal use shall apply:
- in inflammation of the digestive tract,
- alternative in peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum,
- ulcerative enteritis,
- excessive fermentation in the intestines, flatulence, abdominal pain
- bounce and heart burn, lack of appetite,
- in the bowel and spastic conditions difficult departing gases, especially in children and the elderly,
- to perform enemas in young children in the stool constipation,
- in inflammation of the throat, gums, anginach.
In conjunction with material derived from other plants it is given as:
- weak sedative,
- stomachic ?,
- alternative in chronic urinary tract, bladder and kidney clusters,
- rinsing in inflammation of the oral mucosa, gums, throat, paranasal sinuses, the daily oral hygiene.
For external use in:
- skin ulcers,
- varicose veins of the anus, anal crevices,
- varicose ulcers of the lower limbs,
- erythema and itching of the skin,
- pressure ulcers,
- diaper dermatitis and children,
- allergic dermatitis
- and solar thermal burns and second degree,
- minor skin lesions X-rays,
- ophthalmology for the washes inflammation of the cornea and iris
- allergic conjunctivitis and purulent skin of the eyelids,
- inhaled, the upper respiratory tract inflammation, asthma (asthma), hay fever,
- cosmetics for washing, bleaching hair, skin regenerating bath.
- In gynecology:
- in upławach,
- in inflammation of the cervix, nadżerkach,
- in inflammation of the vagina,
- itching and inflammation of the vulva,
- in fighting vaginal rzęsistka (Trichomonas vaginalis)
- of dysmenorrhoea.
Preparations
Infusion of flowers
1 - 2 tablespoons chamomile basket and pour 2 cups boiling water, and mate under cover 15 min. Let stand for 5 minutes and strain. Drink 1 cup 3 times daily between meals in inflammatory gastrointestinal tract as a spasmolytic and carminative. The same infusion can be used externally as a mouthwash, irrigation, wraps, przymoczek, impregnating vaginal tampons, and for inhalation. After dilution of 1: 1 with warm water - to enemas in infants.
Herbs in liver diseases
Mix the 25 grams of chamomile flowers, crushed buckthorn bark, peppermint leaf, herb doctor skyscraper, St. John's wort, Violet Tri-Color and herb yarrow herb. Pour in 1 tablespoon of mixture thermos, 1 cup of boiling water. Close and let stand for 1 hour. Drink 2 / 3 cup of fasting morning and evening in the states of the viral hepatitis as an anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, antispasmodic, stomachic ? and stimulating digestion and mildly diuretic.
