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I remind you that the information provided in this series is for information purposes only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, neither is it to be construed as such. It does not create any patient-physician relationship and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment where required. Consult a doctor for medical advice, treatment or diagnosis.
Also, while every attempt is made to ensure accuracy, you are strongly advised to take responsibility and do your own research.
In the previous article, we looked at the popular and versatile Catnip (Nepeta cataria) plant.
In this article, we will look at the popular Chamomile plant.
German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Chamomile is an herb that has been used for thousands of years for many ailments including
- gas,
- diarrhea,
- stomach upset,
- sleeplessness, and
- anxiety.
It can also be used topically for certain skin lesions.
Related to the daisies, the Chamomile plant has flowering tops, and these are what are used for making tea and other herbal remedies that include Chamomile.
Historical usage
When Chamomile tops are stewed and then drained the liquid is a deep yellow color and can be lightly sweetened if preferred. It has a very unique taste to it and many women used to make sure they always had a few baby bottles tucked safely away in the refrigerator in case their baby got gas. The herb was used before the days of over-the-counter gas relief drops, and it always seemed to make the baby stop crying and fall asleep.
It was also given to women for menstrual cramps in the days before Midol and Pamprin. As a nervine, Chamomile also has some calming properties, so it can be very beneficial to sip on during the day if you are feeling anxious or if the muscles in your body are tense from anxiety and stress.
Confirmed health benefits of chamomile
Chamomile produces an oil that when isolated turns a very unique bluish color and this has very distinct anti-inflammatory properties to it, so it has been known to work very well on
- skin infections,
- eczema, and
- inflamed skin.
Tip for dealing with skin conditions
Often when small children had bug bites, diaper rashes, or eczema, the mother would fill a stocking with Chamomile and oatmeal and let it soak in the tub with her children. It was very effective in stopping the itch and improving the diaper rash.
Synergistic uses
Chamomile was also used in combination with other herbs. For example, to treat nausea, a combination of
- Chamomile,
- shredded licorice root,
- fennel seeds, and
- peppermint
would take care of that pretty quickly.
Because Chamomile is part of the Ragweed family, you might wish to avoid it if you have an allergy to Ragweed.
Additional things to consider
Pregnant and nursing mothers are advised to stay away from all herbs; however, Chamomile might be the exception to this rule. It is completely safe for anyone to drink at any time. It has even been known to help teething babies too. On a final note, Chamomile has been known to be an excellent hair conditioner and for soothing the scalp. When mixed with a bit of lemon and sunshine it has also been known to give subtle natural highlights to hair.
Do check with your primary healthcare provider or a natural health practitioner before using Chamomile, especially if you are pregnant or nursing. Every person is different!
Making a tea to relieve stress and anxiety
In the following video, herbalist Elizabeth Heck makes a tea with several herbs (including Chamomile) for relieving stress and anxiety:
In the next article, we will look at Cilantro.
To a better, wiser, stronger YOU!
Sources:
Chamomile, 11-13-2015. Located at American Botanical Council (online),
http://herbalgram.org/resources/herbclip/herbclip-news/2015/chamomile/ [Accessed May 2, 2023]
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; 2006–. Chamomile. 2021 Feb 15. PMID: 30000867.
Srivastava JK, Shankar E, Gupta S. Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future. Mol Med Rep. 2010 Nov 1;3(6):895-901. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2010.377. PMID: 21132119; PMCID: PMC2995283.
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