GERMAN CAMOMILE – Herbal Medicine

The German chamomile, MATRICARIA RECUTITA = MATRICARIA CHAMOMILLA, ASTERACEAE, is part of a group of plants that are sometimes difficult to differentiate from each other.

Here is frequent confusion between several different plants, with a similar appearance and almost similar names:

German chamomile (Matricaria recutita),
Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile = Anthemis nobile),
feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium).

How to differentiate them?

All three have small « flowers » (capitulum) typical of asteraceae: a central disc of small yellow flowers surrounded by other small flowers that have a white ligule .

Without going into botanical details difficult to discern (for example the details of florets or small seeds) one can try to differentiate these three chamomiles by simpler elements:

German chamomile or chamomile is an annual plant, while the other two are perennial by their underground parts.
German chamomile has a single stem per root, is erect and branching , reaching 30 to 50 cm and then branching, sometimes very close to the ground, while other chamomiles have several stems per root, are first creeping (prostrate ) then erected.
German chamomile or chamomile has a very rounded inflorescence and appears hollow when cut in half while the floral disk is rather flat in feverfew.
The leaves of German chamomile are very narrow, almost filiform and divided two or three times, while those of other chamomiles are wider, especially those of feverfew.
The stem of the German chamomile is not hairy, while that of the Roman chamomile is hairy.
Chamomile herbal tea is scented and sweet while those of other chamomiles are a bit bitter.
German chamomile or chamomile is originally a European plant, the Middle East and temperate Asia.

It is now widespread or cultivated throughout the world except tropical-equatorial areas (except at high altitude).

It is a medicinal plant that is widely used around the world, especially in the Middle East, India or South America.

The flowers of the German chamomile smell very slightly the apple, hence the Latin name (of Greek origin) chamaemelum (small apple) become chamomilla then camomile that corresponds well to the common name in Spanish (manzanilla = small apple).

The flower head (flower) of the chamomile and the essential oil that is extracted are used in herbal medicine.

The other species that resembles it, the Roman chamomile, Chamaemelum nobile, has medicinal properties similar to those of German chamomile, it is the most used in France.
It is adapted to the temperate oceanic climate and therefore very easy to grow in the Atlantic coastal regions (Brittany, Anjou, but also in Spain and Portugal).

GERMAN CAMOMILE WILD CAMOMILE COLIC DIGESTIVE DISORDERS IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME SEDATIVE ANXIOLYTIC INSOMNIA ALLERGY ECZEMA DISHYDROSIS

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND PROPERTIES

GERMAN CAMOMILE FLOWER MATRICARIA RECUTITA

The yellow flower heads with their white ligules around them contain :

Abundant FLAVONOIDS that yellow the aqueous infusion.
Among these phenolic compounds the most active are: apigenin (apigenol glucoside), quercetin, luteolin.

APIGENIN, a highly studied molecule , has many properties:

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY similar to the best synthetic anti-inflammatories.
ANXIOLYTIC AND SEDATIVE : action on the nervous system similar to benzodiazepines (valium type).
Slowing down or inhibiting the development of estrogen-sensitive cancers (such as certain breast cancers) by its action on aromatase (the enzyme responsible for estrogen synthesis).
Anti-angiogenic action that slows the development of cancer.
COUMARINS : in particular umbelliferone or umbelliferone, used in cosmetics as a sunscreen, and which is anti-spasmodic.
Mucilaginous carbohydrates and fructans,, which give a pleasant taste to the infusion of camomile and which can reduce an inflammation of the digestive mucosa.
Non-specific phenol acids but scavengers of free radicals and therefore anti-oxidants and protecting the tissue.
Sesquiterpenes compounds (alcohol and lactones): bisabolol present in the essential oil .
In the dry flowers: between 0.5 and 1% of essential oil colored in blue after extraction by hot water vapor.

GERMAN CAMOMILE ESSENTIAL OIL

The chemical composition of this essential oil is variable according to the conditions of culture, the geographical origin or the variety.
In general, the predominant terpenoids are:

SESQUITERPENOLS: alpha-bisabolol and oxidized bisabolol compounds (about 50% of the essential oil).

BISABOLOL in its different chemical forms has interesting medicinal properties:

It is an anti-inflammatory with analgesic effect.
It reduces digestive spasms (irritable bowel, « gastric cramps », spastic colitis).
It is an antibacterial of moderate action and without cutaneous causticity which can act in synergy with synthetic antibiotics thus reinforcing their antibacterial power.
It reduces the inflammation of the skin and dermis (interesting effect in case of eczema), accelerates healing and allows transcutaneous passage of substances that can not be assimilated by the skin (use in cosmetology).
SESQUITERPENES: chamazulene (5 to 15%), farnesene (5 to 20% and sometimes up to 50% in some cultivars).

CHAMAZULENE gives the dark blue color to the essential oil of German chamomile, it exists in the plant in small quantities, it is synthesized from another molecule (matricine).

The heat of distillation significantly increases (and somewhat artificially) its percentage in this essential oil.

Chamazulene and matricin are unstable compounds sensitive to light and oxygen .

They both have anti-spasmodic properties.

Chamazulene is a very good anti-inflammatory agent that acts like synthetic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the cyclooxygenase complex.
It also partially inhibits the secretion of leukotrienes (pro-inflammatory substances).

« Farnezene » (terpenes in several isomeric forms) and farnesol (alcohol) have a green apple odor, they are substances that affect the behavior of many insects (usually as a repellent) but are chemically unstable .

USES

GERMAN CAMOMILE FLOWERS MATRICARIA CAMOMILLA

HOW TO USE FLOWERS (flower panicle) OF CAMOMILE?

In pharmacy, in herbalist shops or on the internet chamomile can be found in the form of dry flowers, ethanolic tincture or powder.

In many countries, fresh chamomile is found in traditional markets of medicinal or aromatic herbs.

INFUSION

3 g dry flowers or a good spoonful of fresh flowers in 300 ml of cold water, bring to boil, cook for a minute reducing the fire as much as possible and then infuse for 5 minutes, filter, consume or keep in a cold place.
To consume in the day in several times according to the disorder that one wishes to cure.

ETHANOLIC TINCTURE

Homeopathic tincture (with fresh flowers) or standard tincture (1/10)(with dry flowers)
Dosage: 50 to 100 drops a day depending on the disorder to be treated

FLOWER POWDER

Used in hair care.
Possible theoretical use in therapy but the risk of adulteration is important except of course if it is a domestic preparation, dosage: 1g of powder 2 to 3 times a day.

GERMAN CAMOMILLE AS ANTISPASMODIC AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY (DIGESTIVE TRACT)

German camomile is useful to treat:

Some FUNCTIONAL DISORDERS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM:

gastric cramps,
Irritable bowel or spastic colitis when the manifestations are dominated by painful contractions of the large intestine that cause diarrhea or constipation with mucous discharge without feces and accompanied by digestive gas.

Example of dosage:
a cup of infusion, or 20 to 30 drops of tincture mother or alcoholic 3 times a day

INFLAMMATION OF THE DIGESTIVE MUCOSA:
Both the stomach (pre-ulcer gastritis, toxic gastritis (alcohol, too spicy dish, too acid, exaggerated consumption of coffee), that of the large intestine (diarrhea, intestinal fermentations).

Example of dosage: one infusion cup or 20 to 50 drops of tincture (1/10), before and after the meal.

DIFFICULTY TO DIGEST without obvious cause: digestive heaviness, migraine after the meal, belching.

Example of dosage: one to two cups of infusion or 30 to 50 drops of tincture at the end of the meal.

GERMAN CAMOMILLE AS AN ANXIOLYTIC SEDATIVE and FOR SOOTHING AND FACILITATING SLEEP

The majority of people are soothed, tranquilized and fall asleep more easily with chamomile .

However, rarely, camomile can have an opposite effect and irritate.

The action of this plant on the central nervous system is at the level of some specific receptors: the central benzodiazepine receptors.

Example of dosage:

a cup of infusion or 20 to 30 drops of tincture 3 times a day to calm and tranquilize.
Two cups of infusion or 50 drops of tincture 1 hour before going to bed in case of difficulty to sleep.

This infusion is not diuretic and one does not require to wake up to urinate.

GERMAN CAMOMILE FOR SKIN CARE and SKIN DISEASES

An infusion of camomile helps to ATTENUATE SKIN INFLAMMATION and limits infections, it can be used in compresses that one maintains 15 minutes on the part to be treated or in a warm bath of half an hour ( diluting the infusion in 2 or 4 times its volume of water) when possible (hands, feet, arms, perineum):

To alleviate inflammation after radiotherapy.
To calm a thrust of ECZEMA.
In case of PRURIT.
In children (eczema, rash, pruriginous skin inflammation).
In bath to cure an hemorrhoidal crisis.

GERMAN CAMOMILE AND FEMALE GENITAL DISORDERS

The name « matricaria » of German chamomile reminds that this plant has long been used to treat female genital disorders: especially the painful periods (dysmenorrhea), more incidentally menstrual irregularity.

The anti-inflammatory, analgesic and soothing action of chamomile extract makes it possible to reduce the pain of dysmenorrhea.

It is also known that the apigenin contained in this plant partially inhibits the synthesis of estrogen.
It may regulate the menstrual cycle or reduce dysmenorrhea but the hormonal interaction is complex and this explanation seems too simple.

OTHER USES

GERMAN CAMOMILE AND CANCER

This plant can not be considered a cure for cancer but can help:

To better withstand chemotherapy : report in Saudi Arabia in patients who have been treated with cisplatin.
To limit the spread of cancer by an anti-angiogenesis effect :
Cancers need to create a large network of blood vessels to develop, all the substances that contribute to the inhibition of this anarchic development of blood vessels are useful to slow down cancer development.
To slow the development of certain cancers that depend on estrogen hormones to develop (including some breast cancers).
A therapeutic route is the inhibition of an enzymatic system (aromatase) necessary for the synthesis of estrogens.
Apigenin in German chamomile has this ability.

GERMAN CAMOMLILLE, APHTOSIS OF THE MOUTH, HYGIENE OF THE MOUTH

A regular mouthwash with an infusion of chamomile matricaire can cure recurrent mouth ulcers, several effects of camomile combine: anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, healing.

This infusion helps to cleanse the oral cavity (bad breath, gingivitis)

GERMAN CAMOMILE ESSENTIAL OIL MATRICARIA RECUTITA

Indications of of Matricaria recutita essential oil are similar to those of the infusion of flowers .

INFLAMMATORY OR SLIGHTLY INFECTED SKIN DISEASES:

Dry eczema, palmoplantar dishydrosis, chronic skin ulcer .

The application of essential oil of German chamomile is particularly interesting to try to treat the skin disorders related to atopy, this tendency of the body to react to many allergenic substances.

Patches of eczema, or the appearance of very itchy subcutaneous bubbles on the palms of the hands or the edges of the fingers.
This « dishydrosis » is difficult to cure .
The daily application of a few drops of essential oil of German chamomile deserves to be tried.
This essential oil calms the itching of allergic or inflammatory origin.

Dosage: application of a few drops of pure essential oil or a mixture (half essential oil with a vegetable oil) on the areas to be treated, twice a day, after a skin allergy test (a drop on the thin skin inside the elbow, wait 48 hours to see if there is a skin reaction).

Acne : direct application of a few drops on the inflammatory and infected areas, avoid areas too close to the eyes.

DIGESTIVE DISORDERS

The essential oil of German chamomile is antispasmodic and antibacterial, it has its place in the treatment of all the functional disorders of the digestive system.
But we prefer for these indications the infusion or the ethanolic tincture.

Example of dosage:
One to two drops on a piece of bread, in condensed milk or honey, two to three times a day.

Interrupt treatment in case of allergic reaction or digestive burn sign of intolerance.

OTHER USES of the essential oil of Matricaria recutita

It is an antioxidant essential oil that can be used in the food industry to preserve food in place of effective but potentially dangerous synthetic products .
The essential oil of German chamomile is one of the essential oils that eliminate mites.

example: 10 drops of German chamomile essential oil in 50 drops of alcohol at 50 ° (or cologne), put in a sprayer with a little water and spray the mite areas (carpets , bedspreads, mattresses…).

Cosmetics
The essential oil of German chamomile can be incorporated into skin soaps, shampoos (especially for light hair), or preparations to calm the itching, pruritus, inflammation.

It can also be used on inflamed teguments following radiotherapy (as well as niaouli essential oil)

This essential oil repellent for many insects must be able to be used on the plants (but it is rather expensive)

CULTURE OF GERMAN CAMOMILE

Matricaria recutita is not very demanding on growing conditions.
It is an annual full-sun plant, which begins to develop after the end of spring frosts in temperate countries.

In the tropical or equatorial zones, it does not develop well except at altitude: for example in Ecuador in the Andean region.

Propagation is by sowing, in place or in a bucket, and flowering lasts 4 to 6 months or more in warm regions.
Chamomile naturally reseeds and can become invasive.
The flowers are picked when they just begin to open and are dried in the shade to prevent evaporation of the essential oil.

CAUTIONS and CONTRAINDICATIONS

Some people are allergic to plants of the chamomile family (Asteraceae), they are skin allergies or more serious, respiratory or digestive allergies.

An infusion of German chamomile can increase the contractions of the uterus (observations made in vitro or in animals).
The consumption of the infusion of chamomile must be careful when pregnant..

The essential oil of German chamomile can also be the cause of intolerance.

Always do a skin tolerance test when using a new essential oil for the first time.

Cutaneous use of the essential oil of German chamomile is possible in small quantities in a pregnant or breastfeeding woman but not recommended internally.

ABSTRACT

THE GERMAN CAMOMILE MEDICINAL PLANT AND ESSENTIAL OIL
Chamomile chamomile or German chamomile is widespread throughout the world and is one of the most widely used medicinal plants. It can cure many digestive functional disorders, it is soothing and anti-inflammatory-analgesic, heals the inflamed or eczematous skin, attenuates the allergic manifestations.
This small plant helps slow the development of cancers.
Its essential oil of blue color, also has an anti-inflammatory power and is useful to cure many skin diseases.

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