Anthemis nobilis (Chamaemelum nobile) - Chamomile
"CONSTITUENTS: Volatile oil, Anthemene, Antheminic acid, tannin, resin, wax.
PREPARATIONS: Extractum Anthemidis Fluidum, Fluid Extract of Anthemis. Dose: one-half to one dram.
Therapy: This agent in hot infusion is emetic, a stimulating diaphoretic, and it promotes the menstrual flow when suppressed from cold. It is of little importance, in the writer's opinion, as we have so many other agents with wider and more positive action. In suppression of the secretions from acute cold it is a useful remedy. If drank during an alcohol sweat or Turkish bath, its influence is greatly increased. In acute rheumatism it will prove of service.
It is a mild stomachic and general tonic in half-ounce doses of the cold infusion, and it seems to mildly stimulate digestion.
In acute colic in infants, with nervous excitability and tendency to spasm, a few drops may be dropped into a half glass of water and a teaspoonful given every ten minutes with immediate relief. In flatulent colic and in colic accompanying diarrhea, the discharges of a greenish, feculent character with reflex nervous irritation or increased nervous susceptibility, it is a specific remedy.
In constant worry and fretfulness of very young infants, without apparent cause, it is a soothing remedy of much value. It is excellent during the teething period to allay nervous irritation and soothe pain. In neuralgic pains in children it is useful.
In hysterical females its therapeutic influence is similar to that of pulsatilla. It soothes general irritation and quiets imaginary pains, especially if occurring at the menstrual epoch.
It is useful in dysmenorrhea and in mild cases of ovarian neuralgia. In amenorrhea with intermittent pains, and sensations of appearing menstrual flow, it is useful. It may be given for the erratic pains and reflex nerve irritations of the last months of pregnancy, the reflex cough and unbearable muscular cramps and twitchings."
(Finley Ellingwood: The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, 1915)