German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) also spelled Camomile has multiple medicinal actions. It acts as an anti-inflammatory for sore muscles and arthritis, and is helpful in cases of fever and pain. Chamomile has calming actions and is an appetite stimulant. As a digestive aid it reduces gastrointestinal spasms. It is used to ease mild colic and to calm the nervous horse.
Chamomile is an excellent source of niacin, which aids the nervous system. Niacin is needed for circulation and healthy skin. Deficiencies of niacin may also cause digestive problems. Chamomile also contains Vitamin A and C, Calcium, Phosphorus, Selenium, Manganese, Magnesium, Potassium, Riboflavin, Thiamine,Zinc, Sodium, Iron, Cobalt, Silicon, Chromium, and Protein.
Many horse care givers including us have combined this herb with 1/3 cup of our Stomach ReBalance Ulcer Remedy to help heal ulcers or ulcer-like symptoms. Chamomile also has a naturally balanced phosphorous to calcium ratio. A handful or so makes a great addition to any meal. We make this into a tea and mix the cooled liquid (herbs and all) into regular feed.
Chamomile can also be used externally with its antibacterial and anti fungal action. This can be useful for surface wounds, and fungus problems. To make an external solution, bring water to a near boil, pour over herb in cup, and let it soak till cool. Apply to affected area with clean compress with herb.
In her book "Herbs for Horses" Jenny Morgan states that Chamomile can be fed safely to horses before competition to ease nerves without affecting performance. She recommends feeding two handfuls a day, one in the a.m. and one in the p.m. with the grain. "Many riders also benefit from a cup of Chamomile tea to sooth pre-competition nerves", states Morgan.
Used for mild colic, Chamomile eases cramping and spasms. Victoria Ferguson who wrote, "The Practical Horse Herbal", says to syringe 100 ml of strained and cooled Chamomile tea with a few drops of the Bach Flower Rescue Remedy into your horse every half hour till the vet arrives. As an anti-spasmatic, and nervine herb, Chamomile used with Valerian, according to Hilary Page Self author of "A Modern Horse Herbal", will reduce tension in the gut caused by anxiety.
Chamomile will not make either a horse or human drowsy, but instead promote a feeling of well-being! Knowing this most certainly justifies the fact that Chamomile tea is the number one selling herb tea on the market.
Other uses for Chamomile include using the tea as an eye wash for swollen or sore eyes, a handful or two a day of dry herb for a nervous horse with runny manure, and/or to help calm and heal a horse with ulcers....Ferguson also states that the "highest source of Calcium found with its metabolic partner Phosphorus is Chamomile".
So, this little tiny herb that looks like a miniature daisy and most suburbanites would call a weed, has several healing properties.
Other names: Camomile
Medical uses and remedies:
Anxiety
Antispasmodic
Arthritis (for joint inflammation)
Blocked tear ducts
Canker sores
Colic
Diarrhea
Digestion
Eczema
Fever
Gingivitis
Heartburn
Immune system stimulant (white blood cells)
Indigestion
Inflammation
Insomnia
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Menstrual cramps
Mouth ulcers
Peptic ulcers
Periodontal disease
Sedative (mild)
Skin irritations
Stimulant
Ulcers
Wound healing
Yeast infections
Dosage:
Tea - 1 bag (or roughly 1-2 g) up to 4 times per day
Homemade tea - 15 g (1/2 ounce) of flowers added per 1 pint of boiling water, steeped around 15 minutes, up to 2 cups per day
Capsules or tablets - 1 capsule/tablet of 2-3 g, 3 times daily between meals
Tincture - 1 dose of 4-6 ml, 3 times daily between meals
Cautions and side effects:
Large amounts of chamomile tea should not be taken during pregnancy, as uterine contractions may occur. Chamomile should not be used when an individual is taking blood-thinning (anticoagulant) medications, such as aspirin or warfarin, or by persons with poor blood clotting.
Individuals with ragweed, elecampane, or arnica allergies may have allergy symptoms when using chamomile, so it should be avoided. Additionally, any sensitivities to other plants in the Asteraceae family (also known as Compositae, sunflower, aster, or daisy family) may mean that a reaction could occur due to chamomile. Patients with asthma should use particular caution with chamomile, especially if they also have allergies or sensitivities to these plants.
Nausea, vomiting and rashes have been reported in rare circumstances involving excessively large doses of chamomile. Check with a medical professional for additional precautions and contraindications before taking any herb.
Active ingredients:
Volatile oils (1-2 percent)
Bioflavonoids - apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin
