Matricaria chamomilla

Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

florapal.org

Matricaria chamomilla L.

Asteraceae (Compositae)

  • Matricaria recutita L.
  • Scented Mayweed
  • Wild Chamomile
  • babunej بابونج
  • babonag du-goni
  • בַּבּוֹנָג דּוּ-גּוֹנִי

Annual

  • Nutrient-rich soils
  • ruderal
Click Flora of Israel Online to view distribution
and other botanical details.

Click to view:

Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Matricaria chamomilla L.

System/State Traditional
Complaint/Use
Activity / Interpretation
Traditional
Preparation/ Administration
Parts Used
Source
Cancer (unclear if tumors maligant or benign)

Internal tumors

Anti-tumor

Mix flowers + "maryameyeh" (Salvia fruticosa) + "ezuv" (Majorana sp., synonym Origanum syriacum) + "besamim" (Rosmarinus sp.). See NOTES 1) (Admin. not specified.)

Flower Z
Child Health

Abdominal spasms in babies

Carminative

Decoct flowers +" kamnon" (Pimpinella anisum) & drink.

Flower Z
Child Health

Diarrhea (in babies) & constipation

Anti-Infective, Anti-diarrheal, Laxative

Decoct flowers + "kamnon" (Pimpinella anisum) & drink.

Flower Z
Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT)

Earache

Analgesic

Cook flowers in water + "marzanajush" (Stachys lavandulifolia) (See NOTES 2) & drink.

Flower Z
Gastrointestinal

Abdominal pain

Carminative

Cook plant in water + "bu'ithran" (Teucrium polium) (See NOTES 3) + "na'na" (Mentha sp.) & drink.

Aerial parts Z
Gastrointestinal

Constipation

Laxative

Decoct flowers in water, cool, filter & drink x2 cups evenings.

Flower Z
Gastrointestinal

Intestinal inflammation

Anti-inflammatory, Demulcent

Decoct flowers + "kamnon" (Pimpinella anisum) & drink.

Flower Z
Gastrointestinal

Regulate digestive tract/ improve appetite/ digestion/relieve flatulence/ abdominal pain

Carminative, Digestive, Stomachic

1. Decoct flowers + "kamnon" (Pimpinella anisum) & drink.
2. Decoct flowers & drink after meals.
3. Prepare infusion of flowers & drink.
4. Cook flowers in water + fennel & drink x1 cup morning & evening for 4 days.

Flower Z
General

Chronic diseases

Panacea

Prepare flowers as tea & drink.

Flower Z
General

Inflammation & swelling

Anti-hydropic, Anti-inflammatory

1. Decoct flowers & apply externally as compress.
2. Prepare tea from flowers & drink.

Flower Z
General

Internal inflammation

Anti-inflammatory

Decoct flowers in water, cool, filter & drink 1 cup x3/day.

Flower Z
General

Reduce fever & induce sweating

Anti-pyretic, Diaphoretic

Decoct flowers & drink hot x1 cup as necessary.

Flower Z
General

Thirst quencher

Refrigerant

Prepare flowers as tea & drink.

Flower Z
Infectious Diseases

Cholera; fever

Anti-Infective, Anti-pyretic

Decoct flowers, sweeten with "kamnon" (Pimpinella anisum) & drink.

Flower Z
Kidney & Urinary Tract

Diuretic

Diuretic

Decoct flowers in water, cool, filter & drink all day instead of water.

Flower Z
Kidney & Urinary Tract

Kidney inflammation

Anti-inflammatory

Prepare flowers as tea & drink.

Flower Z
Kidney & Urinary Tract

Kidney stones: expels

Anti-lithic

Prepare flowers as tea & drink.

Flower Z
Kidney & Urinary Tract

Urinary obstruction/ retention

Deobstruent

Cook plant in water + "farfahina" (Portulaca oleracea) & drink.

Aerial parts Z
Kidney & Urinary Tract

Urinary tract inflammation

Anti-inflammatory, Demulcent

Decoct flowers + "kamnon" (Pimpinella anisum) & drink.

Flower Z
Mental Health

Depression/ insanity

Anti-depressant, Anti-psychotic

Mix flowers + "kanjabeen" (unknown, but possibly means "sakanjubeen" , a mixture of honey & vinegar). (Admin. not specified.)

Flower Z
Mental Health

Soothe nerves

Anxiolytic

Prepare flowers as tea & drink.

Flower
Nervous System

Headache & dizziness

Analgesic

Prepare flowers as tea & drink.

Flower Z
Nervous system

Strengthen brain

Nervine

Prepare flowers as tea & drink.

Flower
Opthalmic

Conjunctivitis

Anti-Infective

Decoct flowers + tea leaves & apply as compress.

Flower Z
Opthalmic

Eye pain & inflammation

Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory

Massage eyes with fig leaves, apply almond oil & then a compress of Matricaria chamomilla flowers.

Flower Z
Oral Health

Mouth rinse

Mouth wash

Prepare flowers as tea & use as mouth rinse.

Flower Z
Oral Health

Toothache

Analgesic

Cook plant in water & gargle.

Aerial parts Z
Pain Relief

Pain in head/ teeth/ intestines

Analgesic

Decoct flowers & drink x1 cup + sugar as necessary.

Flower Z
Respiratory

Colds/ runny nose/ cough/ rhinitis

Anti-Infective, Anti-catarrhal, Anti-tussive

1. Decoct fowers in water, cool, filter & drink 1 cup x3 -4/day.
2. Decoct ground dried flowers & drink after fasting for 12 hr.
3. Cook plant in water alone or + "khatmiyeh" (Alcea acaulis) or + "ward el-hasad" (Alcea setosa), + "bizr kittan" (Linum sp.) + sugar & drink.

Aerial parts, Flower Z
Respiratory

Cough & asthma

Anti-asthmatic, Anti-tussive

Decoct flowers in water, cool, filter & drink 1 cup x3/day.

Flower Z
Womens Health

Menstrual disturbances & pain

Analgesic, Emmenagogue

Decoct flowers + "kamnon" (Pimpinella anisum) & drink.

Flower Z
Womens Health

Strength after childbirth

Tonic

Prepare infusion of flowers & drink.

Flower Z
Womens Health

Uterine rinse for inflammation

Anti-inflammatory

Mix flowers +"fuwwa" (Rubia tinctorium) + "tya" (Ferula asa-foetida) (See NOTES 4) & apply as uterine rinse.

Flower Z
Womens health/ Reproductive Health

Become pregnant

Fertility

Boil flowers + "mahniza" (Ferula asa-foetida) (See NOTES 4 ) in tub & sit over steam.

Flower Z

The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.

Notes

1. In the recipe for internal tumors Z refers to the ingredient "besamim " as a Rosmarinus sp. However this is not the Arabic name for this plant (Rosemarinus officinale is "lklil al jabal"). It may instead refer to a Hebrew word for fragrance used by Yemenite Jews for Rosemary sp.
2.In the recipe for earache Z identifies the ingredient "marzanajush" as Stachys lavandulifolia. This is possibly incorrect as "marzanajush" in Arabic is Origanum majoricum.
3. In the recipe for abdominal pain Z translates the ingredient "bu'ithran" as Teucrium polium (a synonym of Teucrium capitatum). However the Arabic name for this plant is "jada". Instead "bu'ithran" may refer to Artemesia judaica.
4. In the 2 recipes for Womens Health, the Arabic names give in parenthesis for Ferusla asa foetida & Rubia tinctorium could not be found for these species.

Cautions

Matricaria chamomilla contains sesquiterpene lactones that can cause allergic reactions including tongue thickening, tightness in throat, swelling of lips, throat, eyes, itching in mouth & over the body. Cross-sensitivities with other Asteraceae/Compositae family (e.g. echinacea, feverfew, milk thistle, ragweed (ragwort) & celery may occur. Uterine stimulant therefore avoid in pregency & lactation. Avoid in teething babies. May interfere with anticoagulants because of coumarin content.