Facts about the Chamomile Plant

Chamomile (also spelled camomile) plant got its name from the Greek words chamos and milos, which represent ground and apple respectively. This means low-growing (ground level) shrubs with the smell of apples. A variety of these plant species can be found in Europe, North Africa and some parts of Asia. English chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) and German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla ) are most commonly used for medicinal purposes, in comparison to their counterparts. Though, both of them have almost similar properties, German chamomile oil is more potent than the English chamomile. Dried flower heads of both varieties are used in manufacturing herbal tea, ointments, potpourri, herb pillows, shampoos, herbal medicines and cosmetics.

Characteristics of Chamomile Plant

English chamomile and German chamomile are also known as Roman camomile or whig plant, and blue chamomile or Hungarian chamomile respectively. English chamomiles are shrubs with thick foliage and grow up to one foot in height. German chamomiles can grow to a maximum height of three feet. They have erect stems, and long and narrow leaves. The flowers of English chamomile have an outer fringe of white-rayed florets around the receptacle with yellow florets and a comparatively flat central disk. The flowers of German chamomile lack bracts and the central discs are dome-shaped. A cross-section of the central disk of the former will be solid, while it is hollow in the latter.

History of Chamomile

Use of chamomile dates back to the time of ancient Egyptians. They believed that the plant is a sacred gift from God, and a cure for many diseases. They used to offer chamomile plant flowers to the Sun God. This herb was an important ingredient of the embalming oil used for mummification. It was also used for cosmetic purposes in ancient Egypt.

While the Romans used chamomile to make incense and beverages, Hippocrates, the Greek physician believed that this herb is also useful in treating congestion and dysmenorrhea. In the middle ages, Anglo-Saxons graded this plant as one of the Nine Sacred Herbs. Monks also played an important role in experimenting and propagating knowledge about the medicinal properties of chamomile. During this period, alchemists in Europe started extracting essential oil from these herbs through distillation. It was the predecessor of the present-day distillation process. Over centuries, the popularity of these plants increased and spread to different parts of the world. Today, with the advent of aromatherapy and other types of alternative medicine, these plants are grown commercially.

Uses of Chamomile

Chamomile has a long history of medical use. Though there is no scientific research conducted to back the efficacy of its medicinal properties, it has been widely used in the treatment of a variety of diseases and disorders. Some people have reported side-effects, like allergies, after being treated with chamomile.

It is believed that this herb is useful in treating anxiety, sleeplessness or insomnia, indigestion, gastritis, ulcerative colitis, diarrhea, menstrual disorders, migraine, skin disorders, eczema, wounds and burns, conjunctivitis, canker sores, teething problem in kids and many more.

According to the list maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, chamomile has been traditionally used, in the treatment of over 100 ailments and conditions. The German regulatory agency for herbs, known as 'Commission E', has sanctioned the use of German chamomile for gastrointestinal spasms and skin and mucous membrane inflammation. It is said that chamomile has antispasmodic, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, analgesic and sedative properties, which give healing properties to this plant.

Chamomile is often called as plant's physician, because it aids in the healthy growth of other plants, if planted in a garden. If you keep a chamomile plant near a sick plant, it will improve the conditions of the latter. You can definitely keep a chamomile plant in your garden, but as far as its medicinal use is concerned, it is advisable to consult a qualified medical practitioner.