Chamomile

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Chamomile

Chamomile is included in the Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) list by the FDA.
Do not ingest large amounts of chamomile tea during pregnancy, since some of the plant�s ingredients may cause uterine contractions.
If you are allergic to other plants belonging to the Daisy family, such as ragweed, elecampane and arnica you may also be sensitivity to chamomile. If you have asthma�take chamomile infusions with caution, especially if you are allergic to these plants.
Chamomile may cause allergies either by direct contact with the plant, employing it as an eye wash, skin cream or drinking the tea.
Chamomile may interfere with blood clotting, do not use together with aspirin, warfarin or other substances that possess anticoagulant (blood-thinning) action.
Do not take chamomile with diazepam or other sedative medications, since this may increase the potency of the drugs.

Indigenous to Europe and Western Asia.

 

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamomile

Chamomile or camomile (pronounced /ˈkæmɵmiːl/ kam-ə-meel or /ˈkæmɵmaɪl/ kam-ə-myl)[1] is a common name for several daisy-like plants of the family Asteraceae. These plants are best known for their ability to be made into an infusion which is commonly used to help with sleep and is often served with either honey or lemon. Because chamomile can cause uterine contractions which can lead to miscarriage, the U.S. National Institutes for Health says that pregnant and nursing mothers should not consume chamomile. [2] Chrysin, a flavonoid found in chamomile, has been shown to be anxiolytic in rodents,[3][4] and is believed to be at least partially responsible for chamomile's reputation as a sleep aid. Chamomile is the national flower of Russia. It is known to reduce stress.[5]

Species

There are a number of species whose common name includes the word chamomile. This does not mean they can be used in the same manner as the as the herbal tea known as "chamomile." Plants including the common name "chamomile", are of the family Asteraceae, and include:

And to some extent other Anthemis species, such as:

  • Ormenis multicaulis, syn. Cladanthus mixtus Moroccan chamomile

  • Eriocephalus punctulatus, Cape chamomile

  • Matricaria discoidea, wild chamomile or pineapple weed

Etymology

The word derives, via French and Latin, from Greek χαμαίμηλον (chamaimilon) ("earth apple"). The more common British spelling "camomile", corresponding to the immediate French source, is the older in English, while the spelling "chamomile" more accurately corresponds to the ultimate Latin and Greek source.[6]

Medicinal use

Preliminary research suggests chamomile is an effective therapy for anxiety.[7][8]

In Russia, chamomile tea is used for stomach troubles, colds, and muscle aches as well as the usual anxiety and insomnia.[citation needed]

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine caution of rare allergic reactions (Asteraceae allergy) and/or atopic dermatitis (skin rash).

See also

References

 

  

  1. ^ chamomile reference.com

  2. ^ "Roman chamomile: MedlinePlus".

  3. ^ Brown E, Hurd NS, McCall S, Ceremuga TE (October 2007). "Evaluation of the anxiolytic effects of chrysin, a Passiflora incarnata extract, in the laboratory rat". AANA J75 (5): 333–7. PMID 17966676.

  4. ^ Wolfman C, Viola H, Paladini A, Dajas F, Medina JH (January 1994). "Possible anxiolytic effects of chrysin, a central benzodiazepine receptor ligand isolated from Passiflora coerulea". Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav.47 (1): 1–4. doi:10.1016/0091-3057(94)90103-1. PMID 7906886.

  5. ^ "Discovery Health "Chamomile: Herbal Remedies"". health.howstuffworks.com. Retrieved 19 August 2010.

  6. ^ Oxford English Dictionary, online edition, entry "camomile | chamomile"

  7. ^ "Study Shows Chamomile Capsules Ease Anxiety Symptoms". NIH.

  8. ^ "A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy for generaled anxiety disorder". NIH.

External links