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    Home»Herbs and Spices»Traditional uses of Anthemis cotula (Mayweed Chamomile)
    Herbs and Spices

    Traditional uses of Anthemis cotula (Mayweed Chamomile)

    By SylviaJuly 24, 2020Updated:July 24, 2020No Comments12 Mins Read
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    Mayweed or Stinking Chamomile scientifically known as Anthemis cotula is a flowering annual plant belonging to Asteraceae ⁄ Compositae (Aster family) with a noticeable and strong odor. The odor is often considered unpleasant, and it is from this that it gains the common epithet “stinking”. Stinking Chamomile is so-named for its resemblance to the true chamomile plant, Anthemis nobilis.  The plant is native to Europe, Turkey, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Caucasus, Iran, Iraq, North Africa, Ethiopia, South America, Australia and New Zealand. Chamomile, Dog Fennel, Foetid Chamomile, Mayweed, Mayweed Chamomile, Stinking Chamomile, Stinking Mayweed, Stinkweed, Wild Chamomile, Mather, Dog-Finkle, Dog-Daisy, Pig-Sty-Daisy, Chigger-Weed, Johnnyweed and Maroute are some of the popular common names of the plant. The genus name Anthemis, refers to Chamomile and is from the Greek name anthĕmis for that plant. The species cotula means ‘small cup’ in Greek and may refer to the hemispheric shape of the flower head.

    Plant Description

    Mayweed (Stinking Chamomile) is a more or less branched, usually sub glabrous, foul-smelling annual, bushy, branched herb that normally grows between 12 inches (28 centimeters) to 24 inches (56 centimeters). The plant is found growing in landscape, nurseries, and agricultural crops, roadsides, in meadows, in disturbed areas, cultivated fields, pastures, gardens, lawns and railway lines. It occurs most frequently on fertile clay and clay-loam soils. Favorable soil conditions are rather wet, weakly acidic to alkaline with high nitrogen content. It may also occur on medium-textured soils, particularly if sites are poorly drained, but is usually rare or absent on light soils. The plant has fibrous root system along with a taproot. Stem are 1-3 feet in height, branched from the base (usually) and green in color. The stems are glabrous or pubescent and gland dotted. It has Strong disagreeable smell when crushed and bitter taste

    Mayweed Chamomile Facts

    Mayweed Chamomile Quick Facts
    Name: Mayweed Chamomile
    Scientific Name: Anthemis cotula
    Origin Europe, Turkey, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Caucasus
    Colors Straw yellow to brown
    Shapes Wedge-shaped achenes tapering to the base approximately 1.0 - 2.3 mm long and 0.8 - 1.0 mm wide
    Taste Bitter
    Health benefits Beneficial for rheumatism, epilepsy, asthma, colds, fevers, intestinal ailments, insect stings and dysentery
    Name Mayweed Chamomile
    Scientific Name Anthemis cotula
    Native Europe, Turkey, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Caucasus, Iran, Iraq, North Africa, Ethiopia, South America, Australia and New Zealand
    Common Names Chamomile, dog fennel, foetid chamomile, mayweed, mayweed chamomile, stinking chamomile, stinking mayweed, stinkweed, wild chamomile, mather, dog-finkle, dog-daisy, pig-sty-daisy, chigger-weed, Johnnyweed, maroute, Maruta cotula, Cotula Maruta foetida, Manzanilla loca, wild chamomile, Camomille puante, maithes, maithen, mathor, camomille des chiens, camomille puante, stinkende Hundskamille, camomila-de-cachorro, macéla-fétida, manzanilla hedionda, Dillweed, Dog’s Camomile, Wild Chamomile, Hog’s Fennel, Dog-finkle, Morgan, Maise, Chigger-weed, Balders
    Name in Other Languages Afrikaans: Stink-kamile, kamille
    Albanian: Maraq, syviç, mayweed
    Amharic: Mayweed
    Arabic: Aqhawan khamn (أقحوان خمن), sakab ‘abyad (سَكَب أَبْيَض); fus alkilab (فُصّ الكِلاب), qahwan (قَحْوان)
    Aragonese: Ruda
    Armenian: Ant’em garshahot (անթեմ գարշահոտ), Ant’em shnayin  (Անթեմ շնային), armenian
    Asturian: Manzanilla montés
    Azerbaijan: Pisiǰ sıġır ҝözü  (Писиј сығыр ҝөзү), mayweed
    Bengali: Mayweed
    Bulgarian: Plosko podrumiche (Плоско подрумиче), kucheshkata laĭka (кучешката лайка), rada (рада)
    Burmese: Kyaway (ကြွေ)
    Catalan: Camamilla pudent, camamilla pudenta, guirlanda, segura
    Chinese :  Chou gan ju,  Chou chun huang ju (臭春黄菊), Wǔ yuè zá cǎo (五月杂草)
    Corsican: Cotula
    Croatian: Marundela, Ravan, Smilj, Smrdljivi jarmen,  Smrdući jarmen, prstenak
    Czech: Rmen smrdutý, mayweed
    Danish :  Stinkende gåseurt, Kamille
    Dutch : Stinkende kamille, Mayweed
    English: Dog’s fennel, Mayweed, Mayweed chamomile, Stinking chamomile, Stinking mayweed, chamomile, Foetid chamomile, Mayweed dogfennel, Stinkweed, Wild chamomile, wild chamomile, dog chamomile
    Esperanto:  Mayweed
    Estonian: Haisev karikakar, mairohi
    Euskera: Bicheleta
    Filipino: May utang na loob
    Finnish:  Haisusauramo, saunio
    French: Anthémis puant, Anthémis puante, Camomille bâtarde, Camomille des chiens, Camomille puante, Oeil de vache, Camomille maroute, Maroute, Anthémis fétide, Camomille fétide, maroute puante, anthémis cotule, anthémis des chiens, asclépiade
    Galician: Finéal madra, herba do hecho
    Georgian: Kamania (კამანია), shesadzlebelia (შესაძლებელია)
    German :  Hundskamille, Stinkende Hundskamille, Stink-Hundskamille
    Greek: Mayweed-ˈmāwēd
    Gujarati: Māyavēḍa (માયવેડ)
    Hausa: Mayweed
    Hebrew: Kachvan mekuppach,  קחוון מקפח; קַחְוָן מְקֻפָּח
    High Aragonese: Ruda
    Hindi:  Mayweed
    Hungarian: Nehézszagú pipitér
    Icelandic: Hnotgæsajurt, Mayweed
    Indonesian: Semoga
    Irish: Finéal madra, Mayweed
    Italian: Camomilla fetida, Camomilla mezzana, camomilla cotula, cotula fetida, tribolo
    Japanese: Kamitsuremodoki (カミツレモドキ),  Kamome (かもめ)
    Javanese: Mayang
    Kannada: Mēvīḍ (ಮೇವೀಡ್)
    Kazakh:  Mayweed
    Korean: Gae kkot a jae bi (개꽃아재비), macho (마초)
    Kurdish: Mayweed
    Lao: Mayweed
    Latvian: Suņu ilzīte, maijvabole
    Lithuanian: Šuninis bobramunis, gegužė
    Macedonian: Majmun (мајмун)
    Majorcan: Camamilla pudenta, camamirla pudenta
    Malagasy: Mayweed
    Malayalam: Meyvīḍ (മെയ്വീഡ്)
    Maltese: Mayweed
    Marathi: Meved (मेवेड)
    Moldovian: Romanitse kyneluy  (Романицэ кынелуй)
    Mongolian: Mayweed-ˈmāˌwēd
    Nepali: Mayweed-ˈmāˌwēd
    Netherlands: Stinkende kamille
    Norwegian:  Tappgåseblom, Mayweed
    Occitan: Amaron, Bolèg pudent, Camomiho pudento, Olet, Olhòl
    Oriya: Mayweed
    Pashto: میویډ
    Persian: بابونه بهاری
    Polish: Rumian psi, mayweed
    Portuguese: Macela-fétida, camomila-de-cachorro, cotula bastarda, marcella fétida, margaça, erva-mijona, fedegosa, funcho-de-burro, macela-fedegosa, erva daninha, erva daninha
    Punjabi: Ma īvēḍa (ਮਈਵੇਡ)
    Romanian: Romaniță cînelui, romoniţă-puturoasă, romashka nepakhuchaya (ромашка непахучая)
    Russian:  Pupavka sobach’ia (Пупавка собачья )
    Serbian: žablja trava (жабља трава), ramenak (раменак), maiveed (маивеед)
    Sindhi: مايوس ٿي سگھي ٿو
    Sinhala: Mayweed-ˈmāˌwēd
    Slovak: Ruman smradľavý
    Slovenian: Smrdeljika, Smrdljiva pasja kamilica
    Spanish :  Camomilla pudenta, manzanillon, camomila fina, cotula fétida, magarza hedionda, magarza pajosa, magarza pobre, manzanilla de burro, manzanilla fétida, manzanilla hedionda, margarita fedionda, margaza, margazuela, matagata, matagatas, ojo de caballo, manzanillón
    Sundanese: Mayweed
    Swedish:  Kamomillkulla, surkulla, sommarkyndel, baldersbrå
    Tajik: Mayweed-ˈmāwēd
    Tamil: Mēvīṭ (மேவீட்)
    Telugu: Mēvīḍ (మేవీడ్)
    Thai: Mayweed-ˈmāwēd
    Turkish: Hozan çiçeği, mayweed
    Ukrainian: Roman sobachiy (Роман собачий), mayweed
    Urdu: میویڈ
    Uzbek: Mayweed
    Valencian: Camamilla de monte, camamilla pudenta, camamirla de mont
    Vietnamese: Rau răm
    Welsh: Camri`r cŵn, mayweed
    Zulu: Mayweed
    Plant Growth Habit More or less branched, usually sub glabrous, foul-smelling annual, bushy, branched herb
    Growing Climates Found in landscape, nurseries, agricultural crops, roadsides, in meadows, in disturbed areas, cultivated fields, pastures, gardens, lawns and railway lines
    Soil Most frequently on fertile clay and clay-loam soils. Favorable soil conditions are rather wet, weakly acidic to alkaline with high nitrogen content. It may also occur on medium-textured soils, particularly if sites are poorly drained, but is usually rare or absent on light soils
    Plant Size Varies from 12 inches (28 centimeters) to 24 inches (56 centimeters)
    Root Fibrous root system along with a taproot
    Stem 1-3 feet in height, branched from the base (usually) and green in color. The stems are glabrous or pubescent and gland dotted. It has Strong disagreeable smell when crushed and  bitter taste
    Leaf Leaf blades are about 0 .75 – 2.5 in. (1.9-6.35 cm) long and 1 in. (2.54 cm) wide. The first leaves are opposite but become alternate as they ascend up the stem
    Flowering season July to September
    Flower Flower heads are 19 mm in diameter. Each flower head usually has 12 ray flowers. Disk flowers are yellow and numerous
    Fruit Shape & Size Wedge-shaped achenes tapering to the base approximately 1.0 – 2.3 mm long and 0.8 – 1.0 mm wide
    Fruit Color Straw yellow to brown
    Propagation By seed
    Flavor/Aroma Noticeable and strong odor
    Seed Slightly flattened, ribbed, glandular, and bumpy. They lack pappi
    Taste Bitter
    Plant Parts Used Flowers, leaves

    Leaves

    The leaves of the plant sometimes have very fine and soft hairs on the upper surface, although the plant is mostly hairless. There is no leaf stalk; leaves grow immediately from the stems. The first leaves are opposite but become alternate as they ascend up the stem. The leaves are alternate, thick, finely dissected, and pinnate in shape, with many extremely thin lobes, and can be 1.8-3.5 cm long and 2.5 cm wide. Leaves emit an unpleasant odor when crushed.

    Flowers

    Each stem is topped by a single flower head which is usually around 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. The flower head is encompassed by between 10 and 18 white ray florets with yellow centers (disk florets), each with a three-toothed shape; the florets tend to curve downwards around the edges and may occasionally have pistils, although these do not produce fruit. Beneath the flower proper, oval bracts of the plant form an involucre, with soft hairs on each; further bracts are bristled and sit at right angles to the flowers. Flowering normally takes place from July to September.

    Fruits and seeds

    Fertile flowers are followed by wedge-shaped achenes (with no pappus) tapering to the base approximately 1.0 – 2.3 mm long and 0.8 – 1.0 mm wide. They are wrinkled, ribbed with ten ridges, and have small glandular bumps across the surface. They are without any bristly or fluffy pappus and are distributed by the wind shaking the stem and by water as the seeds are light enough to float easily. Seeds are ribbed and covered in small protrusions (tubercules) and often gland-dotted. A single flower head may contain 50-75 seeds. The average plant will produce from 600 to 12,000 seeds but plants with 27,000 seeds have been recorded. Large plant can produce up to 960,000 seeds which remain viable in soil for a number of years. The plant spread widely in earlier times as the small seeds were frequently found as an impurity in grass and clover seed.

    Mayweed Chamomile Image Gallery
    Achenes-of-Mayweed-Chamomile Achenes-of-Mayweed-Chamomile
    Closer-view-of-achenes-of-Mayweed-Chamomile Closer-view-of-achenes-of-Mayweed-Chamomile
    Closer-view-of-flower-of-Mayweed-Chamomile Closer-view-of-flower-of-Mayweed-Chamomile
    Flowering-buds-of-Mayweed-Chamomile Flowering-buds-of-Mayweed-Chamomile
    Flowers-of-Mayweed-Chamomile Flowers-of-Mayweed-Chamomile
    Leaves-of-Mayweed-Chamomile Leaves-of-Mayweed-Chamomile
    Mayweed-Chamomile-farming Mayweed-Chamomile-farming
    Mayweed-Chamomile-growing-wild Mayweed-Chamomile-growing-wild
    Mayweed-Chamomile-plant Mayweed-Chamomile-plant
    Plant-illustration-of-Mayweed-Chamomile Plant-illustration-of-Mayweed-Chamomile
    Sketch-of-Mayweed-Chamomile Sketch-of-Mayweed-Chamomile
    Stem-of-Mayweed-Chamomile Stem-of-Mayweed-Chamomile

    Traditional uses and benefits of Mayweed Chamomile

    • Mayweed Chamomile is closely related to chamomile, but is far less effective as a medicine.
    • It has been used as an antispasmodic and to induce menstruation and was traditionally used to treat supposedly hysterical conditions related to the uterus.
    • It is rarely used in contemporary herbal medicine.
    • Whole plant is antispasmodic, astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, emmenogogue and tonic.
    • It is used internally as a tea, which can be made either from the flowers or the whole plant, though the flowers are less unpleasant and so are more commonly used.
    • An infusion is used in the treatment of a variety of complaints such as rheumatism, epilepsy, asthma, colds and fevers.
    • Applied externally, it is used as a poultice on piles or to draw splinters out of the body, and can also be applied to the bath water.
    • The leaves can also be rubbed onto insect stings.
    • Mayweed Chamomile has been used as a medicinal herb to cure various intestinal ailments.
    • In hysteria it is used in Europe as an antispasmodic and emmenogogue.
    • It is used to induce sleep in asthma.
    • It is believed to be almost as important as opium in dysentery.
    • It has been used as an antispasmodic and to induce menstruation and was traditionally used to treat supposedly hysterical conditions related to the uterus.
    • An infusion is used in the treatment of a variety of complaints such as rheumatism, epilepsy, asthma, colds and fevers.
    • Applied externally, it is used as a poultice on piles or to draw splinters out of the body, and can also be applied to the bath water.

    Culinary Uses

    • The herb is used as a flavoring in Peru due to its aromatic property.
    • Herb tea is made from the flowers in a similar way to chamomile tea and it has a similar though weaker effect medicinally.

    Other Facts

    • The growing and the dried plant is said to repel mice and fleas, it can also be used as an insecticide.
    • Gold dye is obtained from the whole plant.
    • Plants of average size are capable of producing from 550 to 12,000 seeds.
    • All parts of the plant produce an unpleasant odor when injured.
    • The odor is not very pleasant and so it is not commonly used.

    Prevention and Control

    Due to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authority should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used in a lawful manner, consistent with the product’s label.

    Cultural Control

    Cultural control of A. cotula is achieved by methods including improved drainage, crop rotation, using competitive varieties, and delayed spring planting. Improved seed cleaning techniques have lessened the abundance of A. cotula, particularly in cereal grain rotations.

    Mechanical Control

    As an annual weed, A. cotula is easily controlled by digging, particularly in early growth stages. Mechanical control may be applied pre-plant, pre-emergence, or in-row for effective control. Hand-weeding is also quite effective, but can be extremely laborious with heavy infestations, and the plant may cause irritation.

    Chemical Control

    Sulfonylurea herbicides effectively control A. cotula. However, biotypes have been identified that are resistant to this group of herbicides. Clopyralid, picloram, and triclopyr provide good control of A. cotula, mainly when applied with growth-regulating herbicides such as dicamba, 2, 4-D, or MCPA. Control is only fair with applications of dicamba, 2, 4-D, or MCPA alone. Control is fair to good with metribuzin and diuron.

    Control of A. cotula in forage crops using herbicides was investigated by Smith (1987). Glyphosate and paraquat applied during mid-March after germination of A. cotula and before initiation of growth by forage species provided good weed control with minimal crop damage.

    Biological Control

    Although certain insects and pathogens are known to attack A. cotula, no biological control programs have been developed.

    Integrated Control

    Problems caused by A. cotula in crop production are limited to cereal rotations. Crop rotations utilizing varying planting dates and herbicide are effective for control. In pastures and forage production, improving plant competition via inter-seeding or fertilizer application can be effective in control. Eliminating seed introduction via contaminated seed, hay, bedding, or manure is most effective in preventing new or re-infestations of A. cotula.

    Precautions

    • Whole plant is penetrated by an acrid juice; touching or ingesting the plant can cause allergies in some people.
    • Some people are allergic to the plant and this remedy could give them painful blisters.
    • This herb is contraindicated for pregnant women or nursing mothers.
    • Anthemis cotula is potentially toxic to dogs, cats, horses, and guinea pigs.
    • Long term use can lead to bleeding tendencies.
    • Foliage may also cause skin irritation.
    • Plant can cause dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, other allergic reactions, and death.
    • Whole plant is antispasmodic, astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, emmenogogue and tonic.
    • Some people are allergic to the plant and this remedy could give them painful blisters.
    • A strong decoction can cause sweating and vomiting.

    References:

    https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=36330#null

    http://www.hear.org/pier/species/anthemis_cotula.htm

    https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Anthemis+cotula

    https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/5672

    http://www.floracatalana.net/anthemis-cotula-l-

    https://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/maywee26.html

    https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ANCO2

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthemis_cotula

    https://accs.uaa.alaska.edu/wp-content/uploads/Anthemis_cotula_BIO_ANCO2.pdf

    https://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=5106

    https://www.inspection.gc.ca/plant-health/seeds/seed-testing-and-grading/seeds-identification/anthemis-cotula/eng/1473681891296/1473681891685

    http://floraofalabama.org/Plant.aspx?id=515

    https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?103883

    https://en.hortipedia.com/Anthemis_cotula

    http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/gcc-131879

    https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/ANTCO

    https://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Stinking%20Chamomile.html

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    Mayweed Chamomile Scientific Classification

    Scientific Name: Anthemis cotula

    Rank Scientific Name & (Common Name)
    Kingdom Plantae (Plants)
    Subkingdom Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
    Infrakingdom Streptophyta  (land plants)
    Super Division Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
    Division Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
    Sub Division Spermatophytina  (spermatophytes, seed plants, phanérogames)
    Class Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
    Sub Class Asteridae
    Super Order Asteranae
    Order Asterales
    Family Asteraceae ⁄ Compositae (Aster family)
    Genus Anthemis L. (chamomile)
    Species Anthemis cotula L. (stinking chamomile)
    Synonyms
    • Anthemis abyssinica J.Gay
    • Anthemis abyssinica J.Gay ex A.Rich.
    • Anthemis cotula subsp. cotula
    • Anthemis cotula subsp. psorosperma (Ten.) Arcang., 1882
    • Anthemis cotula var. cotula
    • Anthemis cotula-foetida Cr.
    • Anthemis cotuloides Rafin.
    • Anthemis cotuloides Rafin. ex DC.
    • Anthemis foetida Lam.
    • Anthemis foetida var. foetida
    • Anthemis psorosperma Ten.
    • Anthemis ramosa Link
    • Anthemis ramosa Link ex Spreng.
    • Anthemis sulphurea Wall.
    • Anthemis sulphurea Wall. ex Nym.
    • Chamaemelum cotula (L.) All.
    • Chamaemelum foetidum (Lam.) Baumg.
    • Maruta cotula (L.) DC.
    • Maruta cotula (L.) Dumort., 1827
    • Maruta cotula var. cotula
    • Maruta foetida (Lam.) Cass.
    • Maruta foetida (Lam.) S.F.Gray
    • Maruta vulgaris Bluff & Fingerh.
    • Matricaria cotula (L.) Baill.
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