Most likely it was Roman chamomile (also called English chamomile) that Peter Rabbit took when he was sent to bed in order to calm him down in Beatrix Potter's "The Tale of Peter Rabbit." The story was written at the start of the 20th century, but chamomile is still used in Europe today as a calming medicine. It is also used for heartburn and excess gas that may be due to nervousness. You might also find it in face creams, drinks, hair dyes, shampoos, and perfume.

Roman chamomile may reduce nausea, vomiting, and the formation of gas in your intestines. It may also help to calm you down, lessen the swelling from cuts, or hemorrhoids, and make conditions such as eczema and gingivitis (swollen gums) less uncomfortable. Its uses are practically identical to the uses for German chamomile, and for good reason: they share the same active ingredients.

Roman chamomile has not been used in human studies as much as German chamomile, so claims on its use for specific health conditions will have to be verified through future research. Unfortunately, this means that many people assume Roman chamomile is not worth taking, without realizing that Roman chamomile is already added to many teas, ointments, and other types of medicinal preparations.

Roman chamomile originates from northwestern Europe and Northern Ireland, where it creeps close to the ground but can also reach up to one foot in height. Gray-green leaves grow from the stems, and the flowers have yellow centers surrounded by white petals, like miniature daisies. The flowers smell like apples.

Chamomile teas, ointments, and extracts all start with the white and yellow flower head. If these heads are not made into tea, they are crushed and steamed to produce a blue oil, which has medicinal benefits. Ingredients in the oil stop swelling and help reduce the growth of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can contribute to pain.

Roman chamomile is available as dried flowers in bulk, tea, tinctures, and in creams and ointments.

Roman chamomile can be taken a number of ways. One easy way is to drink a cup of hot chamomile tea if your stomach is bothering you or if you are having trouble sleeping. In general, the dosages listed below will probably help relieve your stomachaches and may improve your appetite. Chamomile is also good for reducing pain during your menstrual period, and the swelling of your gums if you have gingivitis.

• Dried flowers, as tea, 1 to 4 g three times daily, or 70% alcohol extract, 1 to 4 ml three times daily.
• For hemorrhoids or skin problems, add a couple of tea bags to your bathwater or a few drops of Roman chamomile tincture. If you want to use an ointment, choose products that contain 3 percent to 10 percent dried chamomile flower heads.

Roman chamomile is generally safe to use, but you shouldn't take it as medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It is considered safe in tea, however.

Roman chamomile contains an ingredient, called anthemic acid, which could cause vomiting if taken in high doses.

There is a report that an individual had a severe allergic reaction after drinking Roman chamomile tea. That person was allergic to ragweed, which is in the same plant family as Roman chamomile. If you are allergic to ragweed, you should not use Roman chamomile. If you don't know whether you are allergic to ragweed, ask your health care provider about your risk for this allergy. Most likely, you can take any form of chamomile safely.

Patients taking blood-thinning medications such as warfarin should be careful about using Roman chamomile unless under the supervision of a health care practitioner. This herb may enhance the effects of the medication. Consult your doctor before adding chamomile to your existing medication regimen.

No noteworthy interactions (positive or negative) between Roman chamomile and conventional medications are known to have been reported in the literature to date.

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