Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

46 •MAJOR PLANT REMEDIESChamomilla recutita syn. Matricaria chamomillaCHAMOMILLAKEY SYMPTOMS irritability • hypersensitivity to pain • children wantto be carried • teething problems • one cheek red and theother pale • greenish diarrheaThe name of this plant derives from the Greek chamaimelon, or “earth apple,”so called because of the applelike scent of its blossoms. Culpeper, the17th-century English herbalist, advocated chamomile for strengtheningthe uterus, especially after an arduous labor. Herbalists recommend it forexternal use as a poultice or cream for treating skin complaints such aseczema or burns. Chamomilla, proved by Hahnemann and published in hisMateria Medica Pura (1821–34), is used for ailments with extreme sensitivityto pain, especially in children.Flower headscan be infusedto make acalming drinkREMEDY PROFILEChamomilla works best for those exhibiting anextremely low pain threshold, as well as anger,marked irritability, and hostility. Oftenhypersensitive, they are bad-tempered, easilyoffended, and impossible to please. They flusheasily when angry, and hate being touched.Bad temper, anger, or stress exacerbatephysical symptoms.Chamomilla is often given to children whoare snappy, wail when ill, and are pacifiedonly if being carried and cuddled by someonewalking around.Typical Chamomilla symptoms are greatirritability and pain that seems unbearable.The remedy is given for teething pain, fever,stomach pain with diarrhea, menstrual orlabor pains, and sore, inflamed nipples duringbreast-feeding.IrritabilitySYMPTOMS Hypersensitivity to pain, andhostility and anger that triggers physicalproblems. Things may be demanded thenpromptly thrown away.Symptoms better For being carried;for perspiring.Symptoms worse For being touched; for beingput down.Toothaches, teething &earachesSYMPTOMS Excruciating pain in the teeth orears, with fever (see right). Toothache flaresup after a hot drink or if a tooth is pressed.Swollen glands may cause face and neckpain, and the ears, nose, and throatmay feel blocked and numb. Babiesteething may scream angrily, insiston being carried, and havegreenish diarrhea.Symptoms better For cold; forbeing carried.Symptoms worse For heat; for warmfoods and drinks.FeverSYMPTOMS A hot, flushed state, oftenwith one cheek red and the other pale.There may be irritability, shivering, anda tendency to sweat easily.Symptoms better For cold.Symptoms worse For heat; for warm foodsand drinks.Colic & diarrheaSYMPTOMS Colicky pain in the abdomen,possibly with pale green diarrhea that smellsof rotten eggs. Colic in children may causerestlessness and arching of the back.Symptoms better For warm compresses on theabdomen; for fasting.Symptoms worse For heat; for fresh air;for anger.Menstrual & labor painSYMPTOMS Menstrual cramps or labor pains,possibly severe enough to cause sweats,anger, or fainting. Anger may trigger nonmenstrualbleeding.Symptoms better For being driven in a car.Symptoms worse For heat; for drafts; for wind;for damp; for anger; for touch.SOURCE DETAILSFlowerheadscontain oil thatis used to treathay fever andasthmaGERMAN CHAMOMILE The plant isused as an herbal remedy to relieveindigestion, menstrual pain,migraines, gout, and rheumatic pains.ORIGINGrows wild in much of temperate Europeand north Africa, and is naturalized inthe US.BACKGROUNDUsed to treat disorders of the digestionsince the 1st century CE. Chamomile teais well known as a calming drink thataids sleep.PREPARATIONThe whole fresh plant is harvested whenin flower. It is finely chopped and maceratedin alcohol, before being filtered, diluted,and succussed.COMMON NAMESGerman chamomile, corn feverfew,wild chamomile.See also Toothaches, page 232; Teething, page 246; Temper tantrums, page 246; Sleeplessness, page 248; Breast-feeding problems, page 262