Pineappleweed
CHAMOMILLA SUAVEOLENS

    

Pineappleweed is an annual plant, 25-35 cm tall, older root with many branches. The stem is erect, branched at the top, thickly leafy. The pages are arranged sequentially.

Inflorescences are collected in baskets, which are 7-15 mm in diameter. The flowers are tubular, green-yellow. Pineappleweed differs from scented Mayweed in that it does not have a white petal. But the smell of the flowers is very similar.

Fruits - elongated, slightly flattened seeds, brown in color. The plant blooms from July to September.

The inflorescences of the Pineappleweed are collected for medicinal purposes. Usually with a leg no longer than 1 cm. Harvest at the beginning of flowering, when it crumbles when squeezed with your fingers. The plant is dried spread out in a well-ventilated room or in dryers, not exceeding a temperature of 50C.

Pineappleweed contains essential oil (0.2-0.8%), which contains beta myrcene, beta farnesene and other terpenoids; traces of hamazulene, as well as flavonoids (luteolin, cinnarosil, quercetin, quercimertrin and others), coumarins (herniarin, umbelliferone), opium, glycerides of fatty acids, salicylic acid and ascorbic acid, carotene, mucilages, gums and bitter substances.

Medicinal significance

Pineappleweed is not used in pharmacology, but it is used in folk medicine. The inflorescences of the plant are used in folk medicine. A decoction of Pineappleweed treats wounds, inflammations, ulcers, bedsores and other skin problems.

It acts as an antispasmodic, sedative, pain reliever, diaphoretic, carminative and anti-inflammatory agent. When taken orally, Pineappleweed will stimulate the production of bile, externally as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. The plant is very similar in its effect to  scented Mayweed , but it is more often used externally, scented Mayweed orally.

It is often mixed with scented Mayweed and rinsed with this mixture to give it a straw yellow and even golden hue.

Not recommended for use

Pineappleweed has the same side effects as scented Mayweed when taken orally, but since this plant is more often used only externally, the worst that can happen is an allergic reaction on the skin.