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Chamomile (Matricaria recutita (German chamomile) or Chamaemelum nobile (Roman chamomile)) is best known for its ability to help you sleep, but it’s good for much more than that.
Chamomile has been used to treat everything from anxiety to ulcers, and tons of things in between. Although there are few human studies available to support its effectiveness, centuries of human use provide masses of evidence that it can be helpful in multiple situations (animal studies and test tube experiments suggest that many of the traditional uses of chamomile will be scientifically supported if and when the research is done.)
Easily available (such as here on Mountain Rose Herbs); chamomile has strong sedative, muscle relaxant and anti-inflammatory properties; is a diuretic and a blood thinner (chamomile contains coumarin, the main compound in blood thinning medications;) eases pain; strengthens and invigorates the body; and reduces gas and bloating; as well as being antibacterial and antiviral. It is used for such problems as:
- Anxiety, stress, and nervous tension
- Allergies, rashes, abscesses, and skin irritations
- Colds, flu, and sore throat
- Conjunctivitis and sties
- Eczema and psoriasis
- First aid for minor burns and wounds
- Gingivitis and mouth sores
- Headaches, both tension and migraine
- Insomnia
- Menstrual problems, cramping and PMS
- Muscle twitches and cramps
- Neuralgia
- Stomach problems like indigestion, gas, bloating, diarrhea, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, Chron’s disease, and ulcerative colitis
The most common way of using chamomile is simply as a tea, and it is readily available in teabags that can be used for this. It is also available as dried flower heads, a liquid extract, in capsules, in topical creams and ointments, and as an essential oil.
How To Make Your Own Chamomile Tea
Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 2 to 3 heaping tablespoons of dried chamomile. Steep for 10 minutes, strain, and drink. (You can add a bit of honey or sugar to sweeten it if you want, but it isn’t really needed.)
For migraines, adding 1 tablespoon of chopped, fresh ginger will help to settle your stomach and ease the pain.
Where To Buy Chamomile
If you’d like to take advantage of the incredible health and healing properties of chamomile then you can purchase dried chamomile flowers from this page on Mountain Rose Herbs. Or you can purchase dried chamomile from Starwest Botanicals on Amazon.
Alternatively you can grow your own chamomile at home using these chamomile seeds, or you can try out chamomile tea with these chamomile tea bags.
Cautions: If you are allergic to ragweed, you may be allergic to chamomile as well. Test carefully and discontinue use if you have any allergic response. Do not use chamomile if you are pregnant or nursing, since there is a slight chance of miscarriage, and it can be passed to nursing babies through the milk. Chamomile is also a blood thinner. It contains coumarin, the main ingredient in prescription blood thinners; and should not be used if you take a blood thinning medication like Warfarin or Coumadin. In addition, you should stop using chamomile two weeks before any scheduled surgery or dental procedures, and inform your doctor in the case of an emergency procedure.
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