Herbs & Herbal Remedies @ Green Papaya

Anthemis Nobilis

COMPOSITAE

garden chamomile, English-chamomile, Roman-chamomile, true-chamomile, earth apple, corn feverfew, barnyard daisy, turkey weed, mayweed

Because of the applelike smell of the leaves, the Greeks named it kamai (on the ground) melon (apple), from which comes almost directly our English chamomile. The Greeks, as did the Egyptians before them, valued this herb, and it remains today one of the standard herbal medicines of country-folk in many parts of the world.

There are related species of Anthemis which, while similar and having somewhat the same effect, are not considered truly a substitute. The plant is a low-growing, pleasantly strong-scented, downy, and matlike perennial whose flowers are remarkably daisylike with white petals and yellow center. This species is an escape from cultivation, and may be found near inhabited or formerly inhabited areas. However, it is also quite often found in gardens, where many authorities say that its presence will prevent disease in other cultivated plants.

The closely related genus, Matricaria Chamomilla is often confused with Anthemis. Roughly speaking, English people think of the low, matlike Anthemis as chamomile, while the Germanic peoples know and use similarly the taller-growing Matricaria.

For internal medicinal use, the flower heads of Anthemis are dried and used in infusions and decoctions, as extracts, pure oils, or in poultices. The infusion is made with 1 ounce of dried flowers to 1 pint of boiling water, taken either warm or cold. This produces the well-known chamomile tea, long known as soothing, sedative, and completely harmless; doses may be as large as desired. Stronger infusions may be introduced as an ingredient to a hot bath with soothing effect.

Since the uses of chamomile are so varied, it seems best to list them.

1. Youngken, in his Textbook, gives the active principle of chamomile as “anthemic acid” and lists it as an aromatic bitter. This brings it into the class of stomachic and tonic. An antispasmodic, one writer says it will immediately stop delirium tremens.
2. It is often recommended in cases of hysteria, as a nervine, and by some as an emmenagogue.
3. Poultices of remoistened dried flowers are recommended for use in all inflammations and abscesses, and, through similar application, for earache and toothache.
4. Used as a hair wash, it is said to act as a blond dye.
5. An infusion used to wash hands and face before walking in the woods will ward off insects.

An analysis of all that has been written about chamomile would indicate that here is the general medicine par excellence which is not only efficacious but perfectly safe.
One correspondent of the writer, having cut her hand on a rusty nail, reports that an old German woman recommended soaking the hand in a chamomile infusion; “My hand was healed in a few days, and in the years that have followed I have found these blossoms infallible wherever I have used them. In recent months it cured my foot when badly poisoned by lye. Soaking in a warm infusion is very restful for tired feet, and takes the soreness from callouses. It is also an excellent remedy for ivy poison.” Such a plant should be a part of every garden. Not only will it provide medicine, but its pleasant fragrance will pervade the air, and it will help other plants stay healthy. Also, it is an excellent ground cover.