Mayweed, Stinking chamomile
Anthemis cotula
Family: Asteraceae or Compositae
What it is like
A strong odored flowering annual with some edible, medicinal and other uses. Easily confused with A. arvensis but it's strong smell gives it away. Common Names include: mayweed chamomile; stinking chamomile; stinking mayweed. Spanish: camomilla pudenta; manzanilla hedionda; manzanillon. French: anthemis fetide; camomille des chiens; camomille maroute; camomille puante; maroute puante. Portuguese: macela-fetida. Germany: Stinkende Hundskamille. Italy: camomilla cotula; camomilla mezzana. Japan: kamitsuremodoki. Netherlands: stinkende kamille. Sweden: kamomillkulla; surkulla.
Anthemis cotula is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies, beetles. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 0.6
Where it is found
Waste places usually on heavy soil.
Most of Europe, including Britain, east to N. and W. Asia.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
The herb is used as a flavouring in Peru. It is aromatic. Caution is advised, there are some reports of toxicity. A herb tea is made from the flowers in a similar way to camomile tea and it has a similar though weaker effect medicinally. The odour is not very pleasant and so it is not commonly used.
Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.
Medicine
Rating: 2
Mayweed is closely related to camomile, 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. The whole plant is antispasmodic, astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, emmenagogue 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 are rubbed onto insect stings. 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.
Antispasmodic: Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Diaphoretic: Induces perspiration.
Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Emetic: Induces vomiting.
Emmenagogue: Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.
Epilepsy: Used in the treatment of Epilepsy - a disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing seizures.
Stings: Used in the treatment of stings and insect bites.
Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
Other
Rating: 1
The growing and the dried plant is said to repel mice and fleas, it can also be used as an insecticide. A gold dye is obtained from the whole plant.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
Repellent: Plants that are said to deter but not necessarily kill various mammals, birds, insects etc.
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Prefers a sunny position and a well-drained soil that is neutral to slightly acid. Succeeds in heavy clay soils. Bees dislike this plant. The leaves contain glands which release a most disagreeable odour when the plant is handled and can cause allergic reactions in people.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown outdoors as soon as it is ripe. Most of the seed germinates in the autumn.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Annual
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth:
Soil: Medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
The whole plant is penetrated by an acrid juice, touching or ingesting the plant can cause allergies in some people.
Not very invasive, but aggressive growth particularly in wet, poorly-drained environments. It reduces the yield and quality of harvested crops, particularly of broadleaf crops.