CHAMOMILE

Recent and on-going research has identified chamomile’s specific anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-allergenic and sedative properties, validating its long-held reputation.
This attention appears to have increased the popularity of the herb and nowadays Chamomile is included as a drug in the pharmacopoeia of 26 countries.
Chamomile has been used for centuries in teas as a mild, relaxing sleep aid, treatment for fevers, colds, stomach ailments, and as an anti-inflammatory, to name only a few therapeutic uses. Extensive scientific research over the past 20 years has confirmed many of the traditional uses for the plant and established pharmacological mechanisms for the plant’s therapeutic activity, including antipeptic, antispasmodic, antipyretic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiallergenic activity.

In addition to medicinal use, chamomile is used as a refreshing tea and as an ingredient in numerous cosmetic and external preparations.

Specifically, chamomile may:
• As a tea, be used for back pain, rheumatic problems and rashes.
• As a salve, be used for haemorrhoids and wounds.
• As a vapour, be used to alleviate cold symptoms or asthma.
• Relieve restlessness, teething problems, and colic in children.
• Relieve allergies, similar to the way an antihistamine would.
• Aid in digestion when taken as a tea after meals.
• Relieve morning sickness during pregnancy.
• Speed healing of skin ulcers, wounds, or burns.
• Treat gastritis and ulcerative colitis.
• Reduce inflammation and facilitate bowel movement without acting directly as a purgative.
• Be used as a wash or compress for skin problems and inflammations.
• Promote general relaxation and relieve stress.
• Control insomnia. Chamomile’s mildly sedating and muscle-relaxing effects may help those who suffer from insomnia to fall asleep more easily.
• Treat diverticular disease, irritable bowel problems and various gastrointestinal complaints. Chamomile’s reported anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic actions relax the smooth muscles lining the stomach and intestine.
• Soothe skin rashes (including eczema), minor burns and sunburn.
• Treat eye inflammation and infection. Cooled chamomile tea can be used in a compress to help soothe tired, irritated eyes and it may even help treat conjunctivitis.
• Heal mouth sores and prevent gum disease. A chamomile mouthwash may help soothe mouth inflammations and keep gums healthy.
• Reduce menstrual cramps. Chamomile’s believed ability to relax the smooth muscles of the uterus helps ease the discomfort of menstrual cramping.

Chamomile may be used internally or externally.

I used it extensively in the bath water for my children to help relax them and soothe any skin irritations.

Chamomile is found in several of my tea blends.