Roman Chamomile
Botanical Description & Habitat
Anthemis nobilis, chamaemelum n
Family
Compositae
Common Names
low chamomile
whig plant
Habitat
Found in sandy and siliceous soils in dry fields and around gardens throughout Europe.
Medicinal Parts
Flowers, fresh or dried
Historical Properties & Uses
Roman chamomile is used in folk medicine to relieve pain and discomfort, as an antispasmodic, aromatic, bitter tonic, stimulant, stomachic.
Chamomile tea is primarily used to relieve an upset stomach, eliminate flatulence, cure colic, dyspepsia and other stomach problems. In addition, it is used to fight infection and fever and as an antimicrobial agent in skin infections.
This flower has not achieved approval status by the German Commission E. Either there was insufficient evidence in favor, or a contraindication.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Method of Action
Roman Chamomile possesses Antibiotic and Carminative action
Roman chamomile contains rather large amounts of essential oil, made up of chamazulene, coumarin, flavonic heterosides and esters of angelic acid.
The oil accounts for its effects in the gastro-intestinal tract, in conformity with what is known about the actions of many similar essential oils. The oil would also possess antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal action.
Roman Chamomile resembles German Chamomile in action
There is essentially no difference in action between Roman chamomile and Matricaria species. The reader may wish to read that section for a more detailed discussion of pharmacology.
In the British Pharmacopoeia, roman chamomile is listed as carminative, antiemetic, spasmolytic and sedative, for use in the treatment of dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting, anorexia, vomiting durning pregnancy, and dysmenorrhea. This materia medica suggests it be used especially for flatulent dyspepsia associated with mental stress. Often combined with marshmallow, filipendula and comfrey in digestive disease, and with hops to reduce pain and anxiety.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Possible Interactions
The antacid nature of this herb may decrease or delay the absorption of nalidixic acid and the sulfonamides.
Due to the spasmolytic nature of this herb it may interact in unknown ways with CNS depressants or stimulants.
Comments
There is evidence combining bactericidal and bacteriostatic agents will lower the effectiveness of the '-static' variety. How this finding applies to herbal antibiotics is not known.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
Chamomile tea has resulted in at least one case of anaphylactic shock in a person who was very allergic to members of the compositae, or ragweed, family. However, in comparison to the hundreds of thousands of people who drink chamomile tea on practically a daily basis, such incidents have to be listed in the extremely rare category.
The German Commission E also notes the possibility for rare allergic reactions.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Preparation & Administration
Use three times daily
Infusion
1-4gm (1 tbsp) of dried flowerheads in 1 cup of water and steep for a half hour
Children: 1 sp every half hour
Liquid extract
1-4ml of 1:1 in 70% alcohol
Tincture
10-20 drops in water
Oil
6 drops on a sugar cube
Rubbing oil
steep 1 oz flowerheads in olive oil for 24 hours; strain.
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Benner, M.H. & H. Lee. Anaphylactic reaction to chamomile tea. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 52, 307-308, 1973.
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Braun, H. & D. Frohne. Heilplanzen-Lexikon Fuer Aerzte und Apotheker. Gustav Fisher Verlag, Stuttgart, New York, 1987.
British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983.
Duke, J.A. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, Florida, 1985.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Weiss, R.F. Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield Publishers, LTD, Beaconsfield, England, 1988.
Essential Oil
See Chamomile Essence under Aromatherapy
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