Scented Mayweed is an annual plant, up to 60 cm in height. The root is rod-shaped, weakly branched, the stems are solitary, often branching near the root, grooved, bare, leafy up to the top.

Leaves successive, 2-5 cm long, sessile. The flower boxes are semicircular, 15-20mm in diameter, with white petals and a yellow inflorescence inside. Scented Mayweed blooms all summer. Fruit, elongated and flattened at the base in a testicle, 1-2 mm long, with 5 ribs inside.

Scented Mayweed flowers (Chamomillae flores) are used for medicinal purposes. The flowers are collected at the beginning of flowering, while the lateral flowers are still placed horizontally or slightly raised. The flowers are collected with a flower stalk about 3 cm long, cutting them with secateurs or plucking them with a special harvester.

The flowers are dried in forced dryers at a temperature not exceeding 40C, or in shaded, well-ventilated rooms, spreading the flowers on a mesh or cloth in a thin layer (2-3cm), stirring the drug from time to time.

All the medicinal properties of the plant are due to its biologically active substances. Scented Mayweed flowers contain essential oil (0.2-0.8%), which consists of the basic biologically active substance of this plant - hamazulene, its predecessor prohamazulene and other monoterpentines and sesquiterpentines; flavonoids, apigenin derivatives, luteolin, quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, coumarin, sesquiterpene lactones: matricin, matricarin, phytosterol, phenolcarbonic acids, choline, organic acids (isovaleric acid, salicylic acid, caprylic acid), vitamin C, carotene, gums, mucilages, bitter substances, polyacetylenes , micro and macro elements.

Medicinal significance

Scented Mayweed has an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and moderate antimicrobial effect, it reduces fermentation in the intestines and enhances the secretion of the gastric glands.

Scented Mayweed essential oil improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Flavonoids have an antispasmodic effect on the biliary tract, smooth muscles of the intestine, blood vessels, increase bile flow, reduce the accumulation of bile in the gallbladder, reducing the possibility of gallstones forming, facilitate the flow of bile from the duodenum, as a result, reducing spasms of the liver-pancreatic ampulla sphincter, colic colon and small intestine spasms, restores normal peristalsis, thereby improving the functioning of the digestive tract, promotes appetite.

The plant also has an emollient and enveloping effect, which is partly provided by the mucilage contained in the plant, which has a great absorbent capacity, as a result of which it adsorbs various poisons. Covering inflamed tissues, it reduces heat loss and works as a warming compress. Of course, mucus protects tissues from external irritants and reduces their sensitivity. Pain decreases, spasms in the digestive tract disappear, let's say that normal working conditions of the body are created.

Scented Mayweed is an intestinal eubiotic. The infusion and decoction creates an antimicrobial, antiviral, fungistatic effect, which served as the basis for the use of Scented Mayweed against pathogenic microorganisms. Pathogenic microorganisms do not become resistant to Scented Mayweed .

In case of diseases of the liver and bile ducts, Scented Mayweed is used to reduce spasms in the bile ducts, increase bile reflux and reduce inflammatory processes.

When treating diseases of the digestive tract, Scented Mayweed is recommended to be mixed with medicinal calendula and common yarrow, it will be a much more effective remedy than monotherapy. Pain, belching, flatulence disappear from this mixture, well-being improves. The mixture acts as an anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and wound-healing agent, and the yarrow contained in it increases blood clotting and enhances the analgesic effect.

In folk medicine, infusions and decoctions of Scented Mayweed are widely used against migraines, insomnia, stomach catarrh, increased irritability, toothaches and colds. The poultice is used as a compress and rinse to treat lacerations, ulcers, eczema, rashes, inflammation of the eyelids, furunculosis and effusions. Scented Mayweed vapor is inhaled in case of flu - helping to cope with runny nose and to improve the condition of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. Perfectly, this setting will help to rinse the eyes in case of conjunctivitis.

There are many countries that use regular Scented Mayweed tea with honey or sugar before going to bed - it helps you sleep soundly.

Not recommended for use

It is not recommended to get too excited with Scented Mayweed preparations or in its pure form. When used in large doses, depression of the nervous system, headache, general weakness may occur. Hoarseness and increased cough are often observed. Taking into account the side effects, it is recommended to reduce the dosage of Scented Mayweed or temporarily stop its use.

Spontaneous tantrums and irritability may occur with long-term use of Scented Mayweed . In such cases, it is necessary to Scented Mayweed . Scented Mayweed should not be used during long treatment courses, especially for months and years.

Scented Mayweed should not be used together with sedatives. Scented Mayweed tea can thin the blood, so medicines with the same effect should not be used together with tea.