Genus: Matricaria
Common Name: Chamomile. German chamomile. Blue Chamomile.
Family: Compositae (Daisy, Aster, Sunflower or Asteraceae)
In the classic children’s story, The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, Peter Rabbit was given Chamomile tea and sent to bed after his exhausting adventure in Mr. McGregor’s garden. To make Chamomile tea, the whole dried flower head is steeped in boiling water for 10-15 minutes. The herbal tea is used to aid sleep, settle an upset stomach, or soothe menstrual cramps. This medicinal plant has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties due to its blue essential oil. The leaves and tiny daisy like flowers of this herbal plant are edible. The flowers have an apple like fragrance and a bitter taste. When used as a spray, the smell of strong chamomile tea can repel plant pests. See recipe here.
Historically, chamomile has been used for its soothing medicinal properties. But be forewarned. Drinking too much of this tea can overstimulate the nerves and the emotions, causing pain and angry irritability. It is for these symptoms that homeopathic Chamomilla is most useful, especially for inconsolable babies and children who exhibit extreme oversensitivity to pain caused by teething, fever, colic, or ear infections. It is also helpful for severe menstrual or labor pain when great anger and irritability are present.
Keynotes:
- Excessive irritability, temper tantrums, violently angry
- Oversensitivity to pain, screaming with pain, unbearable pain, convulsions
- Inconsolable, aversion to being touched or spoken to, capricious, cannot be comforted
- Child wants to be carried or rocked quickly, restlessness
- Hot and sweaty, warm-blooded, hot feet in bed at night must be uncovered
- One cheek red, the other cheek pale
- Painful teething with smelly green stools or diarrhea, toothache
- Acute or chronic otitis media, worse touch, worse wind
- Dysmenorrhea with chills, vomiting, diarrhea, and faintness, pain extends to thighs
- Colic, stomach pain with nausea, retching, vomiting
- Severe labor pains with angry irritability and impatience
- Worse 9 am or 9-10 pm
- Ailments from coffee or the use of narcotics
Information contained on this site is for educational purposes only and should not be used to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. Any information provided is not intended to replace medical advice offered by a physician. If you desire or need such advice, you should consult a professional healthcare provider.