The real chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), a plant from the daisy family, is one of the best-known and most important medicinal plants. The dried flowers are mainly used in the form of chamomile tea, but also as an additive to steam baths, tinctures or skin creams. The plant has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.

origin and distribution

Chamomile, which probably originally came from southern and eastern Europe and the Near East, has been carried to almost every corner of the world and continent over the course of human history, where it grows both wild and cultivated. The plant prefers to grow on humus-rich and nutrient-rich fields, meadows and fallow land.

Botanical systematics

The real chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla, also Matricaria recutita) is a herbaceous, annual plant from the daisy family. This plant family is one of the most species-rich, numerous herbs, medicinal plants, vegetables and perennials belong to it. The real chamomile is thus related to other daisies such as dandelion, arnica, marigolds, sunflowers, tarragon or mugwort.

Characteristics and differentiation from other types of chamomile

In addition to real chamomile, there are other types of chamomile. The chamomiles include only the real chamomile and the radiant chamomile (Matricaria discoidea). The latter stands out due to the lack of white tongues, but is not suitable for use as a medicinal herb. There is a greater risk of confusion with false or odorless chamomile, which looks very similar to real chamomile. This also has no healing effect, but can be easily distinguished from the medicinal plant due to the lack of a typical scent. The various types of dog chamomile (Anthemis) cannot be used as medicinal herbs either, but they look very similar to real chamomile. When collecting, real chamomile can be distinguished from other types of chamomile by a relatively simple test - the heads of real chamomile are hollow inside, in contrast to false chamomile, for example.

use

The real chamomile is mainly used as a medicinal plant, especially for colds and sore throats, gum or other inflammations in the mouth, stomach and intestinal problems or, applied externally, for skin problems. In the kitchen, on the other hand, chamomile is of little importance, only its flowers can be used as part of a wild herb salad or as a decoration for salads.

tips and tricks

You can grow real chamomile in your own garden and even in pots with very little effort - the plant is quite undemanding and does not require much care.

IJA

Category:

Herbs