Different chamomile, different properties
The term chamomile is actually the common name of several plants belonging to different genera of the Asteraceae family.
In the pharmacopoeia, there are three species of chamomile with different compositions and pharmacological activities:
- Roman chamomile or noble chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile, Anthemis nobilis L.),
- matricaria, wild or German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.),
- and Feverfew, also called Parternal or Golden Pyrethrum (Tanacetum parthenium L.).
Roman chamomile
Roman chamomile is a European herbaceous plant whose leaves are very cut and feathery. Its flowering tops rich in polyphenolic compounds and sesquiterpene lactones are mainly used in herbal teas for their antispasmodic and digestive properties. Its distillation makes it possible to extract the essential oil of noble chamomile, with analgesic, sedative and anti-inflammatory properties.
Matricaria chamomile
Matricaria chamomile is a herbaceous plant with small conical inflorescences. Its properties are very similar to those of Roman chamomile.
Feverfew
Feverfew is a large European herbaceous plant whose flowers look like daisies and leaves give off a strong camphor odor when crushed. It has properties that inhibit platelet aggregation and thin the blood and helps soothe headaches.
What are the indications of chamomile for dogs?
The flowering tops of Roman chamomile and German chamomile can both be used as an infusion in dogs in the event of gastric embarrassment, to stimulate digestion and relieve painful spasms in the event of mild colitis.
Warning
If your dog suffers from digestive disorders and/or abdominal pain, consult a veterinarian.
Then just prepare an infusion with 1 to 2 g of infused dried flowers for 100ml of water and let it cool before administering it to the dog. Choose pure, low-mineralized water such as Luchon, Mont Roucous and Rosée de la Reine, which are particularly suitable for this type of preparation.
The recommended dosage is 10ml of herbal tea per kg of body weight per day with a maximum of 300ml of herbal tea for dogs whose weight is greater than or equal to 35kg.Note that this herbal tea has a very bitter taste which can strongly displease the dog so that it is possible that he does not drink it spontaneously and that it is necessary to administer it using a pipette, directly in the mouth. . The relatively large volumes of herbal tea to swallow can make exercise quite unpleasant for your dog. To make it easier to take, you can sweeten it slightly with a little honey.
For its sedative and anti-inflammatory properties, chamomile infusion can also be used externally for:
- relieve minor eye irritation or clean the dog's eye area using a sterile compress,
- relieve skin irritations and itching sensations of the dog. All you have to do is prepare a concentrated infusion of chamomile (6g of flowers for 100ml) and finish rinsing the dog with this preparation (previously cooled) during his bath.
In these two cases, the chamomile infusion can also be replaced by a chamomile hydrosol.
Noble chamomile essential oil can also be used externally, diluted in vegetable oil, to massage painful joints, sore muscles or even nerve points. However, avoid its use in pregnant or lactating females and in puppies under 5 months.
Feverfew will be used more in the form of a phytostandardized extract (EPS) by veterinary herbalists, in synergy with other plants, to manage the consequences of Cerebral Vascular Accident, cognitive disorders or many more mood disorders.