German Chamomile
Also called: Hungarian Chamomile, Blue Chamomile
Profile
| Latin Name | Matricaria recutita or Matricaria chamomilla |
| Chinese Name | Not Known Family: Asteraceae/Compositae |
| Note | Middle |
| Aroma | <Moderate> Herbaceous |
| Color | Green Blue |
| Parts Distilled | Flowers with stems |
| Regions | Egypt, France, Morocco, Spain |
| Taste | Sweet |
| Nature | Cooling |
| Affinity | LR/HT |
| Major Chemical Constituents | Chamazulene (~10-35%), sesquiterpenes (farnesene), oxide (-)c:<:-bisabolol (~20-60%) |
| Skin Type | All, especially sensitive skin; will shorten the healing time of burns. |
| Dosage | 6% dilution |
TCM Categories
Functions
- Regulate Liver qi (especially in the Uterus) - premature labor; sore breast; reduce milk flow
- Clear Liver fire and subdue Liver wind
- Harmonize Liver and its overacting effect on the Spleen/Stomach - nervous dyspepsia, IBS, candida
- Calm the shen (the Hun), anxiety
Indications
- Liver Qi Stagnation with headaches, anger outburst, diaphragmatic/rib/intercostal constriction, skin allergies, muscle cramps and spasm, dysmenorrhea, PMS (LR-3, LR-14, GB-34, GB-41, GV-20)
- Liver Fire Invading the Stomach with epigastric burning, intercostal distention, red eyes, reflux during stress, sore and cracked nipples, gastric ulcers (LR-3, LR-2, LR-14, CV-12, LR-13, ST-44)
- Disturbed Shen with irritability, restlessness, and insomnia (PC-6, BL-17, HT-7, PC-7)
Topical Applications
- Apply direct on the sole of the feet for its heat-clearing properties, such as fevers in children.
Specific Protocols
- Apply a 6% dilution of German Chamomile (30%), Lavender (40%), and Rosemary (30%) for Liver Qi Stagnation.
- Apply direct for fullness in the Liver Luo at LR-5.
- Apply direct for Wood Excess
Actions
- Anti-inflammatory
- Hepato-regenerative
- Antispasmodic
- Antidepressant
Contraindications & Cautions
- Cold & empty yang
- Sensitive to ragweed, it's in the same family and can trigger an allergic response
Notes
- Blue oil – can stain clothes
- Can be thought of as a mid-base oil; it really lingers
- EO equivalent of milk thistle
- German chamomile is stronger, sharper, and more physically active (i.e., fever) than Roman Chamomile (shen issues)
- For someone who is resentful, helps them feel that what they have is enough
- Active on LR 5, LR 3
- For angry outbursts
- Helps reduce resentment
- Shortens healing time for burns
- Often adulterated, be careful with source
Additional Comments
- German Chamomile is often adulterated or replaced with other azulene-containing oils (such as Tanacetum annuum), which are cooling (anti-inflammatory) but do not share its functions.
- The rich combination of the chamazulene and (-) -bisabolol reduce histamine reactions, e.g., anaphylactic shock.
- German chamomile impairs polio replication
From Class
- Lung cancer clearing blend (myrrh, peppermint, rosemary, German chamomile, hyssop linalool): Clearing strategy ~60% for heat/fire toxins: myrrh clears lung/stomach heat and acts on luo, hyssop linalool tonifies, rosemary directs to brain/spine; hyssop on LU-9 tonifies lung qi. (Yuen)
- Lemon or German chamomile: Oil that resonates with LV-3 Taichong (?); apply a drop on the point.