-IBIS-1.7.0-
rx
herb
Chamaemelum nobilis (Roman chamomile)
Botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Chamamaelum nobilis, Anthemis nobilis

synonyms: Roman chamomile, chamomile, English chamomile, garden chamomile, sweet chamomile, ground apple, low chamomile, whig plant, Romische kamille, grote kamille, fleur de camomille, romaine manzanilla

part(s) used: flowers, volatile oil

qualities:

affinities:

actions: carminative, antispasmodic, tonic, vulnerary

dosage:

» tincture: 2 - 4 ml.

therapy:

» internal: dyspepsia; weak digestion; weak or irritable stomach; gastrointestinal irritation; flatulence; colic; stomach cramp; hysteria; nervous diseases; painful dysmenorrhea; colds, rheumatism; neuralgia (Felter and Lloyd, p. 212); inflammation; fever; acute and chronic gastritis; gastric ulcers; colitis; inactivates bacterial toxins; imbalances in the intestinal flora (Weiss, pp. 24-28)

» external: for wounds that will not heal (Weiss, pp. 24-28)

specific indications: gastrointestinal debility; flatus; dysmenorrhea from cold; malarial affections (Felter and Lloyd, p. 212)

AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2b

toxicity: 0

» contraindicated during pregnancy due to its emmenogogue and abortifacient effects and that of its volatile oil (Brinker, Farnsworth); the flowers, the part most commonly used, are safe except for mild allergic skin reactions (Rowe)

» may cause changes in lactation, especially nutritional quality and flavor (Muenscher, p. 19)

» handling fresh plant may cause skin hypersensitivity reactions including contact dermatitis and anaphylactic shock (Duke, p. 111)

constituents: volatile oil, sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, coumarins, phenolic acids

footnotes

Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.

Farnsworth NR, Bingel AS, Cordell GA, Crane FA, Fong HHS. 1975. Potential Value of Plants as Sources of New Antifertility Agents I. J. Pharm. Sci., 64:535-98.

Felter, H. W.; Lloyd, J. U. 1983. King's American Dispensatory, Vols. I and II. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Muenscher, W.C. 1951. Poisonous Plants of the United States. New York: The MacMillan Company.

Rowe AH. 1934. Camomile (Anthemis cotula) as a skin irritant. J. Allergy, 5:383-8.

Weiss, R.F. 1988. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum; Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers, Ltd.