The mother tincture of Chamomile is extracted from Matricaria chamomilla, a plant of the Compositae family. Known for its anti-inflammatory and immunostimulant action, it is useful against nervousness and migraine. Let's find out better.
Properties of the mother chamomile tincture
Chamomile is an annual herbaceous plant widespread in Europe and Asia and is also naturalized in other continents; belongs to the Compositae family, genus Matricaria ; its flowering runs from May to September and can be found almost everywhere.
It grows spontaneously in meadows and in the open countryside, no more than 800 m, it often becomes intrusive by acting as a weed of agricultural crops. It is a rustic species that is also suitable for poor and acid soils.
Chamomile has good anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to the protective action on the mucous membranes exerted by the mucilages and by the components of its essential oil (azulene and alpha-bisabolol). For this reason it is used as a soothing, decongestant, soothing and calming remedy, in all types of irritation of external and internal tissues: dermatitis, wounds, ulcers, gastritis, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, oral cavity irritations, gingivitis and urogenital inflammation.
The plant is also used successfully as a painkiller in case of toothache, sciatica, headache, back and neck pain. This thanks to the organic acids (salicylic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid) and to lactones, which give it anti-inflammatory virtues similar to those of cortisone.
Description of the plant
Aromatic plant with a bushy habit, it generally does not exceed 50 cm in spontaneous forms, while in cultivated varieties it can reach 80 cm. It has more stems starting from the base, more or less branched in the upper portion and a taproot root.
The leaves are alternate and sessile, oblong, with lamina is bipennatosetta or tripennatosetta, with very narrow linear lacinias. The flowers are gathered in flower heads with conical and hollow receptacle.
The outer ones have the white ligule, the inner ones are tubular with a yellow corolla. The flower heads with a diameter of 1–2 cm are gathered in corymbous tops. The fruit is an achene of about 1 mm of length, of light color, devoid of pappus.
Discover also the properties and the use of chamomile essential oil
Preparation
Camomile tincture is obtained by letting the whole flower macerate cold in pure alcohol . The flavor is slightly acrid and aromatic.
use
It is used to treat inflammatory states ; for example, to treat swollen and bleeding gums, victims of gingivitis, simply dip a cotton swab in the mother dye and gently pass it over the inflamed part; also useful for eczema, eye inflammation, vaginitis.
A few drops are used to treat headaches, states of irritability, nervousness or intolerance to pain, neuralgia, insomnia, gastrointestinal pain or colic, gastric disorders, irritable bowel or meteorism. Furthermore, chamomile is among the immunostimulatory plants, prevents infections and stimulates the body to react against various diseases.
The generally recommended dosage ranges from 30 to 60 drops twice a day before meals, but it is advisable to consult your herbalist or doctor before taking.
It is not recommended for prolonged use as it may cause nausea and insomnia; it is contraindicated in pregnancy, as it stimulates uterine contractions.
