-IBIS-1.7.0-
rx
herb
Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile)
Botanicals
definition
botanical name(s): Matricaria recutita, Matricaria chamomilla
synonyms: German chamomile, wild chamomile, camomile,
part(s) used: flowers
qualities: bitter and sweet, neutral (warming /cooling)
affinities: stomach, intestines, nerves, liver, lungs
actions: carminative, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, sedative nervine
vulnerary; antiallergic; antiseptic (fungicidal, bacteriocidal) antiemetic; anti-catarrhal; expectorant, anti-microbial, anodyne, diaphoretic, febrifuge, bitter.
dosage:
» dried 2-4g infused in one cup (250ml) TID
» Tincture 1:5 45% 3-10ml TID
» Steam inhalation of aqueous infusion (or gargle). EO 2-3gtt in water.
» Externally: mouthwash, poultice, baths.
specific indications: GI disturbance associated with nervous irritability, especially in children.
therapy:
» Internally: Nervous dyspepsia, flatulence, spasm & inflammatory conditions of the GI tract incl IBS, UC., Peptic ulcer disease, infant colic, pain, ; childhood sleep disorders; nervous excitement, nervous diarrhoea, nasal catarrh; bronchial conditions in children.
» Externally: Inflammation and irritation of the skin and mucosa; eczema, dermatitis, ulcers, inflamed hemorrhoids, eye and gum inflammations, mastitis. shingles, neuralgias.
» Inhalation: Catarrhal conditions, sinusitis; inflamed mucosa.
Constituents:
» Volatile oil (incl. bisabolol 50%, proazulene);
» Flavonoids (incl. apigenin. quercitrin)
» Sesquiterpene lactones: ( matricin matricarin)
» Bitter glycoside (anthemic acid);
» Coumarins: (umbelliferone, herniarin)
» Other: Fatty acids; Tannins; Malic acid; Choline; Polysaccharides: unspecified high mol wt.
Pharmacology:
Animal studies have confirmed antibacterial. antiinflammatory, antispasmodic, antiviral and anti ulcer activities of Chamomile. Flavonoids have immediate effect topically in animal models of inflammation. They are antispasmodic to smooth muscle flavonoids >bisabolol >volatile oil effectiveness. Bisabolol is antiphlogistic, spasmolytic and ulcer protecting. In large amounts bisabolol is teratogenic but oral administration does not affected foetus in prgenant animals. It has fungicidal and antibacterial actions and destroys bacterial toxins and stimulates skin metabolism. The coumarins are antibacterial. Blue coloured chamazulene in the essential oil is a derivative of matricin produced by the steam distillation process. Matricin is more potent anti-inflammatory agent than chamazulene.
Clinical trials: Clinical trials are unavailable.
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 1
toxicity: 1
Matricaria ia a mild remedy with low toxicity. Like other Asteraceae, (Daisy family) it may cause a Type IV hypersensitivity reaction with contact dermatitis. Two reports of symptoms suggest following ingestion of chamomile tea suggest a possible anaphylactic reaction; in both cases the patients had a history of severe hypersensitivity reactions/allergies to ragweed (Ambrosia spp.), Aster spp., and Chrysanthemum spp. (reviewed Newall, 1996). Allergic reactions are probably due to the sesquiterpene lactone content. The essential oil also has a low acute toxicity.
contraindications:
» Suggestions that Matricaria is contraindicated in pregnancy (Brinker, 1996) are speculative and based upon a very few experimental reports of tonic activity in isolated rodent uteri. While excessive doses should be avoided in preganancy (as with any herb, clinical herbalists often advise lactating women to take chamomile using breast milk as a delivery system for colicky infants.
» Contraindicated in individuals with documented ragweed hypersensitivity.
drug interactions:
Classified as a mild sedative (Weiss, 1988), Chamomile is unlikely to interact with pharmaceutical sedatiuves, although a potential for mild synergy with prescription sedatives such as barbaiturates is theoretically present. Reports of adverese interactions are absent from the literature.
Note:
Chamomile is an outstanding child and infant remedy that is highly effective in material homopathic dose. For further information see CHAMOMILLA in the Homeopathic section of the IBIS Materia Medica.
footnotes
Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson, JD, 1996, Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals, Pharmaceutical Press, London, 1996.
Weiss, RF, 1988. Herbal Medicine, Beaconsfield, England.1988.
Wichtl M. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1994.