Name: Chamomile likarska – medicinal chamomile
Medicinal chamomile (Chamomilla recutita, synonyms: Matricaria recutita, M. chamomilla); pharmacy camomile, blush, Romanets, pharmacy blush, medicinal blush; Asteraceae or Compositae family; medicinal chamomile
Chamomile was used for the treatment of various diseases even in the ancient world. In Russia, it appeared only in the 18th century. It is an annual herbaceous plant up to 60 cm tall. Its stems are single, branched from the base, covered with leaves. The leaves are alternate, sessile, up to 5 cm long, twice or three-lobed. The flowers are yellow (pistillate) and white (lobed), collected in inflorescences – baskets with a diameter of up to 2 cm. The fruit is an achene. Medicinal chamomile is bloomingfrom May to September; the fruits ripen starting from July. In order not to confuse it with other species of the genus, you need to know that the inflorescence of the pharmacy chamomile is elongated-conical, protruding, hollow inside. In its wild state, the plant occurs in Siberia, Altai, Kuznetsky Alatau, in the steppe part of Transbaikalia, Tien Shan, Pamir, and the Baltic countries. After being introduced into culture in the middle zone of Russia, it spread widely on the edges of fields, roadsides, near houses, on wastelands and fallow meadows – as a weed. In Ukraine, it grows in small groups almost throughout the territory in similar places. Relatively large areas planted with wild medicinal chamomile are located near Lake Sivash, in the Black Sea regions of the Kherson region on saline meadows, fallows, among crops.
For medical purposes, flower baskets of chamomile are collected during the entire flowering period, necessarily in dry weather. The inflorescences are plucked or cut at the base, without a stem. Those baskets that have just bloomed are also suitable for harvesting. Overgrown inflorescences cannot be collected. The collected raw materials are spread in a thin layer and dried in a well-ventilated room or under shelter in the open air, periodically stirring. Additional
drying is carried out in special dryers at a temperature not higher than 40 °C. Raw materials are stored in paper bags or boxes for a year.
The flowers of the plant contain essential oil, the main component of which is the biologically active substance hamazulene. They also contain many complex organic compounds, including vitamin C, organic acids, polysaccharides and mineral salts. Some chamomile populations, depending on where they grow, do not contain chamazulene and are therefore not suitable for use. It is best to use raw materials that are sold in pharmacies.
Chamomile is one of the most valuable medicinal plants. Biologically active substances contained in it provide wide therapeutic possibilities.
Decoctions and infusions of plant flowers improve appetite, stimulate the secretion of bile, eliminate intestinal muscle spasms, and help with flatulence. They have a positive effect on various skin diseases, have pain-relieving, bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effects. Chamomile infusion was used to irrigate wounds during the Great Patriotic War. In addition, the plant is used as an antipruritic agent, it increases sweating and regulates the menstrual cycle, therefore it is included in various collections and teas used for gynecological diseases.
Medicinal chamomile products are most effective in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, urinary organs, liver, gallstone disease, and menstrual cycle disorders. Infusions and decoctions of the plant are especially recommended for children’s diarrhea, accompanied by colic-like pains and intestinal bloating. It is better to use these tools no earlier than two years of age. Infusions of inflorescences also help with painful menstruation, inflammation of the female genital organs, and nausea in pregnant women. In combination with other plants, chamomile is used for peptic ulcer disease of the stomach and duodenum, inflammation of the intestines and diseases of the urinary organs. The flowers of the plant are part of various carminative and softening teas, gargles.
There are no known side effects when using chamomile, but with an overdose of its products internally, headache, hoarseness, cough, excessive painful menstruation and mental disorders are possible.
When used externally, chamomile exhibits anti-inflammatory, analgesic, wound-healing, antimicrobial and anti-allergic effects. With the help of plant infusions, tapeworms are expelled. Poultices from chamomile flowers are used to treat skin cancer, and the infusion of flowers on oil is used hot for rubbing against rheumatism and gout.
Decoction of flowers. 4 tablespoons of raw materials per 200 ml of boiling water. Heat in a boiling water bath for 15-20 minutes, filter, bring to the original volume with warm boiled water. Take 1/2-1/3 cup 2-3 times a day after meals. Babies – 1 teaspoon each. A decoction of medicinal chamomile flowers for babies should be slightly yellowish in color.
Tincture of flowers. It is prepared in 70% alcohol in a ratio of 1:10. Take 20-30 drops 3-4 times a day.
Infusion of flowers. 1 teaspoon of raw material per 200 ml of boiling water. Infuse for 20 minutes, filter. Take 1 glass at night in 1 hour. before bedtime as a hypnotic.
Compresses, lotions, rinsing and washing are used in a warm form according to the given prescriptions (external).