What herb helps with relaxation, sleep, cramps, digestion, calms babies, and soothes inflamed skin?
How well do you know chamomile? While most of us appreciate chamomile for its role in calming our nerves before bedtime, this humble herb holds a treasure trove of healing waiting to be discovered. Get ready to delve into the fascinating world of chamomile and uncover its extraordinary benefits that go far beyond just brewing a relaxing cup of tea.
Chamomile, valued for its medicinal properties, has a rich history spanning centuries, having served as an anti-inflammatory, pain reliever, antimicrobial, digestive aid, and wound healer. Its remarkable versatility is evident in various applications across cultures. The name "chamomile" originates from the Greek word "chamaimēlon," meaning "earth-apple," reflecting its subtle apple-like fragrance often detected in its blossoms. Today, German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) stands as a globally cultivated herb, not only valued in traditional herbal medicine but also embraced in aromatherapy practices.
Within herbalism and aromatherapy, distinct types of chamomiles exist, including German chamomile, Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), and pineapple weed (Matricaria discoidea). While these varieties are often used interchangeably, subtle differences in their chemical compositions yield varying therapeutic benefits. Understanding these nuances enhances the efficacy and versatility of chamomile in therapeutic and aromatic applications.
Habitat, Propagation, and Growing Considerations
German chamomile is an annual plant in the aster family, that readily self-seeds. It thrives in cooler temperatures, provided the soil is well-drained and it receives ample sunlight. While native to Europe and parts of Asia, German chamomile grows successfully in North America. It can be grown from seeds or transplants, ensuring they're not buried too deeply in the soil. German chamomile can be quite easy to grow from seed but does not compete well amongst weeds, so be sure to keep your chamomile patch well-weeded. This is especially crucial if you intend to allow chamomile to self-seed, ensuring its successful growth. Personal experience confirms this; neglecting the garden for just two weeks can significantly impact the chamomile's health, sometimes requiring starting over.
Harvesting, Drying, and Storing
Harvesting ideally occurs in mid to late summer when the flowers are in bloom. The blossoms contain the plant's medicinal properties. Hand-picking or cutting the stems is sufficient, with no need to separate the petals from the flower heads. Many find the use of a berry picker to be an easy way to harvest. To dry the flowers, spread them in an area with good airflow and moderate light, as excessive light can reduce the essential oil content. Dry the blossoms between 85ºF and 95ºF, ensuring thorough drying before storage. Store them in airtight glass containers to preserve their quality.
Properties
Relaxation: German chamomile is widely recognized for its calming effects on the nervous system, serving as a gentle sedative that reduces anxiety and stress. Safe for children and commonly used before bedtime. Though milder compared to pharmaceutical sedatives, chamomile offers immediate relaxation without causing excessive drowsiness or mental fog. Its versatility as an herbal tea makes it suitable for both daytime relaxation and bedtime routines.
Anti-inflammatory: Chamomile's anti-inflammatory properties benefit the whole body, especially the digestive and respiratory systems, making it valuable for colds and allergies due to its mucus-clearing abilities.
Wound healing: German chamomile is beneficial for treating skin injuries and inflammatory conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Chamomile can be used both orally and topically. Additionally, chamomile can serve as a natural mouthwash for mouth ulcers, reducing pain and inflammation while speeding up the healing process.
Digestion and antispasmodic: Steeping chamomile tea for a longer duration enhances its bitterness and boosts its antispasmodic effect, beneficial for digestion support, soothing colicky babies, and relaxing tense muscles. Chamomile's ability to relax the smooth muscles of the digestive tract aids in expelling gas, easing bloating and digestive discomfort, while also providing relief from tension, anxiety, and agitation.
Ways to Use Chamomile
Tea: A hot tea with a short steep time (5-10 minutes) serves as a mild, gentle nervine (relaxing to the nervous system). A long steep (20+ minutes), cool tea serves as an antispasmodic and digestive aid. Chamomile tea can also be added to the bathtub for a relaxing, soothing bath experience, add Epsom salt for additional relief.
Poultice/Fomentation/Compress: The application of chamomile directly to a minor wound or injury can aid in healing and soothing the injury while potentially preventing an infection. Chamomile tea bags can be placed over the eyes to reduce puffiness and alleviate minor eye infections, but be sure to go to the doctor if symptoms don't improve.
Tincture/Liniment: Made with either fresh or dried flowers can help with promoting sleep, relieving muscle tension, and calming a spastic, dry cough. Used topically to calm inflammation, relieve pain relief of sore muscles, and serve as an antimicrobial for minor wounds.
Infused oil: Use as a body oil for skin soothing, pain relief massage oil, or to make skin care products such as salves, balms, soap, or body butter.
Essential oil: Eases feelings of stress, anxiety, frustration, and anger. When appropriately diluted in a carrier oil, German chamomile can be used topically to provide pain relief, reduce inflammation, serve as an anti-fungal and anti-viral agent, and promote wound healing.
Safety and Contraindications
German chamomile is considered a very safe herb that is particularly nice for children. However, people who tend to have an allergy to ragweed and other related plants may have a higher chance of also having an allergy to German chamomile. For both the herb and the essential oil, do check for potential herb-drug interactions before using if you take a prescription medication, such as with drugs.com.
Discover the remarkable benefits of chamomile that go beyond just sleepytime! From promoting relaxation and healing wounds to aiding digestion, German chamomile has a lot to offer. So brew yourself a cup of chamomile tea and savor its natural healing properties to the fullest.
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