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:

• Matricaria recutita (syn. M. chamomilla), German or blue chamomile, commonly used in tea
• Anthemis nobilis (syn. Chamaemelum nobile), Roman chamomile, the "lawn" chamomile

And to some extent other Anthemis species, such as:

• Anthemis arvensis, corn or scentless chamomile
• Anthemis cotula, stinking chamomile or dog-fennel
• Anthemis tinctoria, yellow chamomile or golden marguerite

• Ormenis multicaulis, Moroccan chamomile
• Eriocephalus punctulatus, Cape chamomile
• Matricaria discoidea, wild chamomile or pineapple weed

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

• The Camomile Lawn, a 1984 novel by Mary Wesley, and its 1992 television adaptation shown in the United Kingdom on Channel 4.

Contents 1 Medicinal and alternative therapy uses 2 Gallery 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

[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

Camomile flowers

German Camomile

Wild Camomile

Yellow camomile

[edit] See also

• Mayweed

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• U.S. Government (National Institutes of Health)
  • Chamomile (Matricaria recutita, Chamaemelum nobile) medical and therapeutic information on MedlinePlus
  • Chamomile fact sheet on The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
  • Roman chamomile on the National Cancer Institute
• U.S. Government (other)
  • PLANTS Profile: Anthemis tinctoria L. (golden chamomile)

This page is an index of articles on plant species (or higher taxonomic groups) with the same common name (vernacular name). If an internal link led you here, you may wish to edit the linking article so that it links directly to the intended article.