Name: Roman chamomile
CHAMOMILE (ROMANETS) —
Matricaria recutita (chamomilla) L.
The Asteraceae family is Asleraceae, or Compositae
What does it look like? An annual herbaceous aromatic plant up to 35 cm tall, with a strongly branched stem. The leaves are alternate, bipinnate, with linear lobes, baskets on long peduncles singly crown the tops of the branches. In the baskets there are 12-17 white reed (pistil) and many yellow tubular (bisexual) flowers, which bloom gradually. At first, the white reed flowers (petals) are lifted up, the pedicel is then flat, then the corolla is placed horizontally, towards the end of the flowering of the basket, which lasts about 3 weeks. The more pistillate flowers reach the middle, the more the corolla takes on a conical shape and the reed flowers are directed downwards. Chamomile is also found in Ukrainetongueless, or fragrant (Matricaria matricarioides (Less.) Porter et Britton), which is used alongside medicinal chamomile, which entered Europe as a weed with grain, it does not have tongue flowers (petals). Blooms in June – August.
Where does it grow? On littered places, near roads, in cities, on wastelands, near houses – all over the territory of Ukraine.
What and when are collected? Baskets, in the phase of horizontal placement of reed flowers.
When is it used? As an anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic carminative agent, for gastric, intestinal and renal colic (spasms), for allergic gastritis, colitis, rheumatism, for delayed menstrual cycle, as an anti-inflammatory agent for inflammation of internal organs, for pain in the uterus, bronchial asthma, angina , colds with high temperature. A light laxative, diaphoretic agent, in case of jaundice – choleretic (in combination with enemas from chamomile infusion, which cleanse the intestines from undigested fats), emollient (disinfectant effect of volatile oil components farnesene and chamazulene, which also weakens allergic reactions, and antispasmodic and diaphoretic effect of glycosides – flavone apigenin and its derivative – quercitrin; derivatives of coumarin-umbelliferone, guerniarin , dioxacoumarin, valerian, salicylic and caproic acids; tannins, resin, choline).
Oil, stimulating the central nervous system, enhances reflex activity, accelerates breathing, heart rate, and dilates cerebral vessels.
Used in the form of tea. Take 2 teaspoons of flowers for 1 cup of boiling water and infuse for 10 minutes. They drink, depending on the need, 1-3 glasses a day (children with intestinal bloating are given to drink with teaspoons or dessert spoons and they are given an enema from chamomile steam ).
For gastritis and peptic ulcer, use tea made from chamomile and lemon balm, taken in equal proportions (1 tablespoon of the mixture per 1 cup of boiling water), drink hot 3 cups a day for 2-3 months.
In case of bloating from poor-quality food, use a mixture (equally) of chamomile , juniper berries, cold mint, St. John’s wort, and St. John’s wort – take 1 tablespoon of the mixture per 1 glass of water, boil for 10 minutes, when cool, drink (after drinking ) 3 glasses per day. A strong decoction of chamomile can cause vomiting, but relieves persistent headaches.
For gastritis, enteritis, brew 2 teaspoons of a mixture (in equal measure) of chamomile flowers , yarrow herb, bitter wormwood herb, cold mint leaves and sage in 1 glass of boiling water, strain and drink hot twice a day for half a glass. 20-30 minutes before meals.
Purulent wounds and ulcers are washed with a steam of chamomile, the mouth is rinsed with it, the eyes are washed with inflammation, vaginal douching is done in case of baldness in women, lotions are applied to swollen, inflamed places; with eczema, boils, panaritium, itching in the elderly; wash the ear (in a mixture with 5% hydrogen peroxide) in case of leakage from it. For gout, rheumatic inflammations, fluxes, etc., poultices are made from pillows filled (equally) with flowers of black elderberry and chamomile , soaked in boiling water and heated in a vessel on the stove.
For wet eczema, skin rashes, wounds, ulcers, as well as gouty swellings (with table salt), take 4 spoons of chamomile flowers per 1 liter of water, boil for 10 minutes and add the decoction to a full bath.
Used as a cosmetic. In a strong steam of chamomile, wash the face 4 times a week, without wiping it. Then, for a few hours, before leaving the house, gauze soaked in a mixture of raw yolk, honey, almond oil and a strong infusion of chamomile is applied to the face. Such a mask gives the skin a pleasant appearance and makes it smooth.
To give hair a golden hue, blondes wash it with a strong steam of chamomile flowers. Crushed fresh chamomile flowers are placed in the nose – they treat a runny nose.
And also pay attention to the article Chamomile scented (medicinal)