CHAMOMILE

CHAMOMILE

INTRODUCTION: The former used this herb to treat digestive disorders such as vomiting, gastroenteritis, dysentery, indigestion, colic, bile and infection of the stomach. The cooking of the flowers of Manzanilla is ingested as a tea to soothe stomach pains. The same cooking, but cold and externally is used for conditions such as inflammation in the eyes, irritation, fatigue and conjunctivitis; also recommended Chamomilla also called for calm in their menstrual cramps. He had been employed in other parts of the country for colds, coughs, asthma, bronchitis and washed nose. It is said that the Manzanilla also is a good remedy to eliminate acne, dehydration, rheumatism, and clarify the hair washing superficial wounds.

Grass measuring 20 to 50 cm in height. The leaves are divided into several parts, which resemble a fine lace and flowers are yellow and white. It is an introduced species from Europe and Asia, adapted to warmer climates, hot, semi, semi and mild. It is grown in gardens, growing in all fields and is linked to the tropical deciduous forest and subcaducifolia, thorny forests, mountains and cloud of mixed oak and pine.

Most of Manzanillo (about 30 known species) are specific to South Africa only a few live in northern Ecuador, but are the most aromatic, as Matricaria chamomilla, typical of the Eurasian continent and the countries bordering the Mediterranean. In America did not exist in the wild, save a species that grows in California (the climate of this state are similar to the Mediterranean) M. matricarioides, known as pine apple weed (plant tropical pineapple)

FEATURES: Small annual herb, not more than 40 cm in height, stem smooth, glossy, highly branched, with leaves of deep green color, narrow and long, in the form of string, deeply divided mind. The flowers are at the end of twigs, forming (like daisies) a floral button with a yellow head surrounded by white petals that, once developed, hung as if they were "tired" and were unable to stand straight. The fruit, tiny, is oval, dry, forming five ribs visible (next to the pipe as sunflower, but much smaller. The whole plant off an aroma reminiscent of the apple, in some regions is called camomile.

LOCATION: It is a plant native to southeastern Europe and Asia Minor (half Eastern Mediterranean) where they are known properties of the infusion of chamomile since before the Christian era. However, he lives without difficulty in other regions of weather not too cold, and grows very well in a garden or in a flowerpot, in fact, has continued to live in abandoned crops.

ACTIVE: The body that concentrates the active ingredients is the flowers, there are significant proportions of substance, and other compounds such as salicylic acid (from which aspirin is derived) or vitamin C.

Medicinal properties: It is a plant emenagogo (which stimulates menstruation) anti - inflammatory, antiseptic and proof (the pain) indicated in the womb of swellings and pain associated with menstruation. There is also a sedative, and facilitates digestion to regulate the movements of the intestinal muscles.

COLLECTION: The flowers should be collected as the summer begins, in European countries toward the feast of Saint John (June 24) Legend has it that can not be later because, precisely, on the eve of the feast at night and on successive nights, the witches urinate on the plants, making them lose their flavor and medicinal properties. The flowers dry quickly, in the shade, in an airy place, then stored in tightly closed containers.

USES AND APPLICATIONS: The infusing manzanilla is that you can find in any bar. Its most popular use is to combat the heavy digestions, but his qualities do not end here, and his true role in healing what has menstrual pains: the infusion is prepared with 5 0 6 flowers per cup and is taken three times a day.

Although the scientific name seems complicated enough to know certain properties of the plant. Matricaria comes from the Latin matrix, which means uterus. which explains that chamomile is used to treat illnesses specific to women. On the other hand, the Greek words chamai under apple and melon unite to warn that the petals of flowers hanging and that the plant follows a pleasant apple flavor.

Sprig of common chamomile, whose flowers are similar to those margaritas, but smaller and hefty center. They are concentrated active ingredients, which have properties antispasmodic, digestive, emollients and disinfectants.

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