Chamomile 白花春黄菊

Chamomile  白花春黄菊 Chamaemelum nobile

Chamomile flowers are large, sunflower-like plants that were first discovered in eastern Europe and are now found all over the world. They are especially plentiful in Croatia, Hungary and Serbia. Depending on where you are, you may hear chamomile flowers being called Pin Heads, Manzanilla, Ecthe Kamille, True Chamomile or even their scientific name: Matricaria recutita.

An aromatic perennial herb (Chamaemelum nobile) in the composite family, native to Europe and the Mediterranean region, having feathery foliage and flower heads with white rays and yellow centers.

A similar, related Eurasian annual plant (Matricaria recutita).

The dried flower heads of either one of these plants, used to make an herbal tea and yielding an oil used in commercial flavorings and perfumery.

Chamomile was used by the Romans, Greeks and Egyptians as a popular medicine because of its rich content of essential oils. It is till used widely for all of the following maladies:

•    Minor abrasions;
•    Cuts;
•    Scrapes;
•    Bruises;
•    Burns;
•    Restlessness;
•    Insomnia;

Although chamomile is very nice when used in baths and as a soothing topical cream, it is best used as a tea. It should be brewed to the desired strength only in closed containers, especially at higher altitudes. Besides its ability to relax you, chamomile flower tea also serves to:

•    Induce deep sleeping patterns;
•    Alleviate menstrual cramping;
•    Manage morning sickness;
•    Defeat childhood nightmares;
•    Allow peaceful rest when suffering common colds and/or flu symptoms;
•    Reduce fevers;
•    Alleviate motion sickness and anxiety;
•    Relax the smooth muscle tissues that line the digestive system and stomach;
•    Act as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and antiparasitic agent;

In addition, you can use chamomile flowers to treat eczema, skin irritations, hemorrhoids, sunburn, mastitis and leg ulcerations. Chamomile flowers are members of the ragweed family and as such should be approached with caution by those with allergies to ragweed.