Chamomile

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Chamomile or camomile (from Greek χαμαίμηλον, chamaimēlon, meaning "earth-apple"[1]) is a common name for several daisy-like plants. The word, a combination of χαμαί (chamai) "on the ground" + μῆλον (mēlon) "apple", derives from their applelike scent. It has been used as a dye to produce a green color.[citation needed]

The composite flora labelled "chamomile" include:

And to some extent other Anthemis species, such as:

The word "chamomile" or "camomile" may also refer to:

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[edit] Medicinal and alternative therapy uses

The MedlinePlus database maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine lists over 100 separate ailments and conditions which chamomile has been traditionally used to treat or which are backed by untested scientific theory.[2] Of these, cardiovascular conditions, common cold, diarrhea in children, eczema, gastrointestinal conditions, hemorrhagic cystitis (bladder irritation with bleeding), hemorrhoids, infantile colic, mucositis from cancer treatment (mouth ulcers/irritation), quality of life in cancer patients, skin inflammation, sleep aid, vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina), and wound healing are called out as areas in which there may be some promising research. However, no medicinal or therapeutic use of chamomile in extract, ointment or infusion have been sufficiently studied to recommend.

MedlinePlus and The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine further caution of rare allergic reactions, atopic dermatitis (skin rash), drowsiness or sedation, the potential to stimulate the uterus, leading to abortion and the unevaluated safety of breastfeeding while taking chamomile.[2][3] Interactions with other herbs and medicines has not been well studied for chamomile.

[edit] Gallery

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Chamaimelon, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, at Perseus
  2. ^ a b Chamomile (Matricaria recutita, Chamaemelum nobile), MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health & Human Services, 30 January 2009
  3. ^ Herbs At a Glance: Chamomile, NCCAM, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health & Human Services, February 17, 2009

[edit] External links


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