AKA: Anthemis Nobilis, Matricaria recutita, Chamaemelum Nobile,  Bodegold, Camomile, Common chamomile, German chamomile, Hungarian chamomile, Sweet false chamomile, Wild chamomile

Chamomile, one of the most ancient known garden herbs, has a reputation as a highly valuable medicinal plant. The Egyptians used it as a universal cure all, and it is still used widely today as a way to fight illness and promote a sense of calmness at bedtime.

Chamomile is a creeping, low growing plant with tufts of leaves and flowers about a foot high, It is a perennial and the plant has a feathery appearance due to its fine, freely branched thread like leaves. The plant originated from Europe and Asia, and it was successfully introduced to the temperate climates of North America and Australia. You can find the plant growing near roads, around landfills and even as a weed in cultivated fields since it thrives in open soil. The flowers start to appear near the end of summer, resting on long erect stalks that droop when budding.

Uses and Benefits
Europeans have been using chamomile to help with digestion problems for centuries. It has also been a integral part of their home and garden décor. The essential oil is made up of many different oils that give off a great aroma and is blue when freshly distilled due to the presence of azulene. These oils have anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and anti-microbial properties, which are good for discomfort in the digestive tract.

Chamomile is used to help speed the healing of ulcers, wounds and burns. It is also used in many common ailments like arthritis, boils, colic, cystitis, dermatitis, earaches, headaches, insect bites and nausea. The tea is great for insomnia and rattled nerves and its anti-inflammatory properties are good for rheumatism and painful swellings. For fevers and sore throats, a milder tea can be taken throughout the day to help alleviate the symptoms. Mothers to be can use it to help combat morning sickness and parents can give it to their children to help with teething, colic and restlessness. Chamomile flower infusions are also widely used in a number of shampoos, being especially beneficial to people with fine hair. Gardeners have also been known to utilize the plant as a liquid feed and as a tonic which is effective at stopping a number of plant diseases. The sessential oil from the German Chamomile also is effective at controlling mites.

Dosage
Chamomile can be taken in a capsule, as a liquid, or tea. Tea is the most popular way to take chamomile: Add one tablespoon of the flowers to hot water, cover and let steep for ten minutes. You can drink this tea up to four times a day. Chamomile infusions can also be used as a topical.

Side Effects
When used properly, chamomile should not have any serious side effects and is well tolerated by most patients. Some may have certain allergic reactions including rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, and breathing problems.

If you suffer from allergies to plants of the Compositae family (a large group including such flowers as daisies, ragweed, asters and chrysanthemums), you may wish to be cautious about using chamomile at first. While there have been isolated reports of allergic reactions, causing skin rashes and bronchial constriction, most people can use this herb with no problem.

People who experience allergic reactions to chamomile should contact their physician immediately.

Not all chamomile products are pure and these impurities could cause some adverse side effects. Large doses of chamomile may induce vomiting. An increase in blood pressure has been reported in some cases along with skin irritation. Some experts have advised against using chamomile in the early stages of pregnancy.

Drug interaction
Due to its sedative nature, it makes sense that chamomile might enhance the effects of other sedatives when taken conjointly. There has been some research that chamomile might inhibit certain enzymes that metabolize drugs, but more research is needed before this can be validated.

Some types of surgery also require that you stop using chamomile. Be sure to talk to your doctor about how much is a safe dosage if you are about to have surgery.

So far no clinical drug interactions have been reported for chamomile.

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