Botanical:   Matricaria recutita  (also known as Matricaria chamomilla)
Family:   Compositae (daisy) - Asteraceae (aster/sunflower)      
Other common names:  German Chamomile, Hungarian Chamomile, Mayweed, True Chamomile, Wild Chamomile, Childbed Flower

Relax and enjoy the calming effects of Chamomile.  If you suffer from insomnia, stress and anxiety, this natural sedative acts as a tonic to soothe your nerves, induce sleep, help calm

colitis and improve digestion.  Help support the gastrointestinal tract and ease a nervous stomach with Chamomile, the most gentle of the ancient herbs that is still popular today.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Herbal Extracts Plus is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

History:
The Egyptians dedicated Chamomile to the sun and worshiped it above all other herbs, while Greek physicians prescribed it for fevers and female disorders.  Dioscorides and Pliny recommended it to cure headaches and illnesses affecting the liver, kidneys and bladder, and in the ancient Anglo-Saxon manuscript, the Lacnunga, "maythen" is called one of the Nine Sacred Herbs.  There are a number of varieties of Chamomile, which is a hardy evergreen perennial of the sunflower family that grows in herb gardens worldwide for its aromatic and medicinal qualities.  It usually grows in temperate regions, and since the seeds require open soil to survive, it often grows near roads, around landfills and in cultivated fields as a weed.  This beautiful, fragrant herb, which was a favorite aromatic strewing blossom, has been inhaled as snuff or smoked to relieve asthma and cure insomnia. Europeans have been using it for nearly four centuries as a remedy for backache, neuralgia and arthritis.  Among the components of Chamomile are essential oils (chamazulene, alpha-bisabolol, azulene ), beta-carotene, p-coumaric acid, tannic acid, a glucoside, coumarin, flavonoids  (quercetin, rutin, apigenin, luteolin, apigetrin and apiin), scopoletin, triterpene hydrocarbons, thymol, boron, calcium, choline, essential fatty acids, folate, inositol, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sulfur, zinc, B-vitamins and vitamins A, C, E and K.   The herb also includes the amino acid, tryptophan, which has been used for insomnia since the 1600s.  Chamomile is a valued cosmetic, as well as medicinal herb and is indispensable in every home.

Beneficial Uses:
Chamomile is a natural sedative that has a long history of use as a tranquilizer.  Modern science claims that it does indeed soothe frayed nerves, because it actually slows down the central nervous system. As a calmative, it is said to be helpful in treating Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

This wonderfully soothing tonic is excellent for promoting good digestion and helping the gastro-intestinal canal.   Chamomile is helpful in treating irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, dyspepsia, gas, travel (motion) sickness, diarrhea and nervous stomach.  As an antispasmodic, it helps to relieve stomach cramps.  Antispasmodic activity has been documented for both the flavonoid and bisabolol constituents in Chamomile.

Chamomile has a relaxing effect on the body, and it has been used for centuries to treat insomnia.

It has also been given to restless children and is said to decrease nightmares in both children and adults when taken before bedtime.  Its overall soothing effect has been used as a remedy for teething complaints in infants, as well as a treatment of such common childhood ailments as stomach cramps, middle-ear infections and diarrhea.

As an "anodyne," Chamomile is used to relieve pain, and traditional herbalists have long recommended it for the pain of backache, neuralgia, rheumatism, headache and arthritis.

Chamomile contains apigenin, a chemical that prevents the production of proteins that allow malignant cells from anchoring to new sites and counters the inflammatory reactions necessary for new diseased growths to gain blood supplies.  Moreover, anti-inflammatory activity has also been documented for the alpha- bisabolol compound.

Chamomile possesses antioxidant and antiseptic qualities.  Evidence indicates that its use neutralizes certain germs and prevents infection, including staph and strep toxins.  As an antifungal, it combats Candida albicans and other yeast infections.

Chamomile is an emmenagogue, an agent that helps to bring on menstruation and regulate its flow. Back in the days when women suffered from the mysterious condition called "the vapors," Chamomile was administered to relieve "hysterical and nervous affections" - actually meaning nervous stomach, menstrual cramps and other common problems related to stress.

Used internally and externally, Chamomile is a staple of herbal medicine and cosmetics.  It is included in shampoos to lighten and condition fair hair, and Chamomile tea is often served in beauty salons to relax facial muscles.  Chamomile has been known to whiten skin, soothe sunburn, windburn, eczema and other skin irritations and has also been used as an eye bath and tea bag compress to reduce inflammation and eliminate fatigue.   It has also been applied to the skin to treat hemorrhoids, swollen and painful breasts, wounds, rashes and leg ulcers.

Recommended Dosage:
Take one (1) to two (2) capsules, two (2) times each day with water at mealtimes.

Contraindications:
Those who suffer from allergies to members of the daisy family (ragweed) should consult a doctor or allergist before using Chamomile. Chamomile contains natural blood thinners (coumarins) and should not be taken by those using the prescription drug Coumadin or other blood thinners.  Because Chamomile is a uterine stimulant, pregnant women should discuss its use with their physicians before using it.  Chamomile may cause drowsiness.

Capsule Size:
We use only 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose "00" capsules for all of our encapsulated products. (click here for size comparison)

• Chamomile - Standardized Extract 1% -- Approximately 600 mg. each
• Chamomile - Botanical Extract 4:1 -- Approximately 600 mg. each