Plant Family:  Compositae

Common Name: Double Chamomile, English Chamomile, Roman Chamomile, Garden Chamomile, Ground Apple, Low Chamomile, Whig Plant

Origin: A low European perennial found in dry fields and cultivated grounds and gardens. It was introduced into Germany from Spain at about the close of the Middle Ages. 

History:  The word Chamomile comes from the Greek kamai ['on the ground'] and melon ['an apple'] because the plant has an apple scent. The Spaniards called it Manzanilla ['little apple']. 

It was one of the nine sacred Saxon Herbs and said to be under the sign of the Sun and called by them Maythen.

Tradition: In wiccan mythology Chamomile was:

• Added to a ritual bath to attract love
• Added to incense to produce a relaxed state for meditation
• Used in prosperity charms to attract money
• Used to induce sleep when burned alone 
• Used to remove curses and bad spells

Plant Constituents

Contains:

• Anthemic Acid
• glucocide
• pale blue volatile oil
• tannic acid

Usage

Medicinal Parts Used: Flowers and herb

Chamomile is useful for:

Brain and Nervous System Conditions

• delirium tremens due to alcoholism or drug withdrawal (Chamomile Tea)
• hysterical and nervous people (Chamomile Tea)
• nightmares (Chamomile Tea)
• restlessness in children (Chamomile Tea)

Gastrointestinal Conditions

• colic
• dyspepsia (Chamomile Tea)
• flatulent colic (Chamomile Tea)
• heartburn
• indigestion (used in combination with Ginger)
• loss of appetite
• sluggish intestines
• spasms
• stomach cramps
• summer diarrhea in children

Genitourinary Conditions

• dropsy
• gout

Female Conditions

• period headaches

Other

• tonic for the aged
• fever in children (Chamomile Tea)

It is used externally as a good wash for:

• open sores
• redness or inflammation of the skin
• sunburn
• wounds

and as a poultice and/or fomentation for:

• congested neuralgia
• earache
• facial swelling from abscesses
• inflammatory pain
• intestinal inflammation
• toothache

Chamomile baths:

• ease all over body pain
• remove weariness

Chamomile Oil can be used as a rubbing oil for:

• calluses
• hard swellings
• painful joints

Other Uses:

• Added to a light Spanish Sherry (Manzanilla) for its apple scent
• Ground cover because when walked on its strong, fragrant smell is released. In the Middle Ages Chamomile was planted as walkways.
• Hair wash for blonde hair
• Herb Beers

Action:

• anodyne [an agent that soothes or relieves pain]
• antiseptic [an agent for destroying or inhibiting pathogenic or putrefactive bacteria]
• antispasmodic [an agent that relieves or checks spasms or cramps]antiphlogistic [an agent which reduces inflammation]
• aromatic [a substance having an agreeable odor and stimulating qualities]
• bitter [characterized by a bitter principle which acts on the mucous membranes of the mouth and stomach to
• increase appetite and promote digestion] tonic [an agent that strengthens or invigorates organs or the entire organism] 
• diaphoretic [an agent that produces perspiration]
• diuretic [an agent that increase the secretion and expulsion of urine]
• emmenagogue [an agent that promotes menstrual flow]
• emollient [an agent used externally to soften and soothe]
• sedative [a soothing agent that reduces nervousness, distress or irritation]
• stimulant [an agent that excites or quickens the activity of physiological processes]
• stomachic [an agent that strengthens, stimulates or tones the stomach]

Precautions

Drug Interactions:

Do not use German Chamomile without first talking to your practitioner or healthcare provider if you taking any of the following medications:

• None known