Matricaria. Matricaria chamomilla.

Related entry: Chamomile

Synonym—German Chamomile.

While this remedy very closely resembles Anthemis Nobilis or Roman chamomile, there are several distinguishing features in their actions. At the same time these are not sharp. All that has been said of Anthemis Nobilis can be said of this preparation.

Therapy—Matricaria is conspicuously a child's remedy, but not distinctly so. A few drops in half of a glass of water, given every few minutes in dram doses, will quiet extreme restlessness and irritability. The general soothing effect is satisfactory. It especially controls certain forms of colic. Peevish children and those who are continuously fretting, or crying out and who demand constant care are benefited by this remedy. It influences the membranes of the gastro-intestinal tract. It is advisable when the patient has contracted a cold, or when there is general chilliness; when the symptoms of la grippe in children are present, especially where there is disturbed condition of the digestion, inducing diarrhea sour eructations or acid vomiting and colicky pains.

The Homeopathists advise it where there are greenish flocculent particles in the loose watery feces of a patient with diarrhea The movements are slimy or yellowish, with an offensive odor, and are acrid, and produce excoriation of the external parts. With these patients there are often muscular twitchings and an inclination to spasm. The remedy has a sedative influence in these, but must not always be depended upon for its active antispasmodic effect. It may be given during dentition, and being. continued the irritability can be quite satisfactorily controlled. It is often necessary to give more active anodyne remedies.

The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, 1919, was written by Finley Ellingwood, M.D.
It was scanned by Michael Moore for the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine.