English name: Wild chamomile
Family: Asteraceae
Botanical characteristic: A annual herb, reaching a height of 20 – 40 cm, with a spreading stem. The leaves are doubly to triply pinnately dissected. The flower heads consist of white peripheral ligulate female flowers and central yellow perfect bisexual flowers. The receptacle is hollow. The fruit is an achene.
Microscopic drawing:
Distribution: It grows in meadows, pastures, fields, along roadsides, and in ditches.
Drug: Matricariae flos
Harvesting method: Flower heads are collected in dry weather, during the morning hours, gradually. White ligulate flowers must be in a horizontal position, and the yellow tubular corolla is low. Freshly collected flower heads should not be stored for more than two hours in a layer of 20 cm. Harvesting is done manually or using machinery.
Drying: Chamomile flowers, free of impurities, are dried naturally in a thin layer in a dark and ventilated room. Artificially in a drying room, where the temperature must not exceed 35 °C.
Active substances: Chamomile falls into the category of essential oil drugs. Among the essential oils, α-bisabolol oxide A, B, α-bisabolol, and occasionally proazulenes (e.g., matricin) are dominant, and upon distillation, azulenes (e.g., chamazulene) are formed. Other constituents include coumarins, flavonoids such as apigenin, and mucilage substances of a polysaccharide nature.
Uses: It has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic effects, promotes wound healing, and has antibacterial properties.
Traditional method of use in indications determined solely on the basis of long-term use:
– symptomatic treatment of diseases of the digestive tract, bloating and cramps,
– alleviation of cold symptoms,
– supportive treatment of inflammation of the oral cavity and throat,
– supportive treatment of irritated skin and mucous membranes in the anal and genital area,
– supportive treatment of superficial wounds, skin inflammations, boils.
Selected herbal preparations: AGROKARPATY Organic Chamomile Herbal Tea 20×1.5 g, MEGAFYT Herbal Tea Blend for Digestive Discomfort 20×1.5 g, LEROS CHILDREN’S TEA WITH CHAMOMILE 1×75 g, Gastritol Oral Drops 20 ml, Calendula Cynarofit Drops 25 ml, IQ MAG RELAX Capsules with Magnesium, B6, Valerian, Passionflower, Chamomile 30 pcs, Chamomile Ointment 50 ml.