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Chamomile Anthemis nobilis.
Common name: Roman chamomile, double chamomile, manzanilla (Spanish), maythen (Saxon).
Occurrence:
a low-growing plant found wild in the British Isles.
Parts used:
the flowers and herb. The active principles therein are a volatile oil, anthemic acid, tannic acid and a glucoside.
Medicinal uses:
tonic, stomachic, anodyne and antispasmodic. An infusion of chamomile tea was once thought to be a remedy for hysterical and nervous afflictions in women, as well as an emmenagogue. It has a powerful soothing and sedative effect that is harmless. A tincture is used to cure diarrhea in children and it is used with purgatives to prevent griping, and as a tonic it helps dropsy. Externally, it can be applied alone or with other herbs as a poultice to relieve pain, swellings, inflammation and neuralgia. Its strong antiseptic properties make it invaluable for reducing swelling of the face due to abscess or injury. As a lotion, the flowers are good for resolving toothache and earache. The herb itself is an ingredient in herb beers. The use of chamomile can be dated back to ancient Egyptian times when they dedicated the plant to the sun because of its extensive healing properties.
Administered as: decoction, infusion, fluid extract and essential oil.
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