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Chamomile
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| Parts Used : Dried
flowers |
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| Common
Uses |
| Internal
Uses |
 |
Sleeplessness |
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Inflammatory
bowel conditions |
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Anxiety
and stress |
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Poor
appetite & indigestion |
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Irritable
bowel |
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Infant
colic |
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| External
Uses |
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Eczema, skin
irritations, insect bites, poison ivy & poison oak rashes,
and other inflammatory skin conditions. |
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Mouthwash for
irritations and minor infections of the mouth and gums such,
e.g. canker sores & gingivitis |
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Eye wash for
conjunctivitis & strained eyes |
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How
Chamomile works
Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and
antispasmodic properties, both of which are very useful when treating a
problem of the gastrointestinal tract. |
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When applied topically it
has anti-inflammatory properties, promotes wound healing and
also acts as a mild antibacterial.
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Side
effects
Although rare, a few cases of allergic
reactions to Chamomile have been reported. For this reason people with
allergies to plants in the Asteraceae family - ragweed, chrysanthemums,
asters, etc. - should not use Chamomile.
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Safety
Issues
There are no contraindications to the use of
dried Chamomile while pregnant or lactating. However do not use the
essential oil during pregnancy as it is a uterine stimulant. |
| There are no known interactions
with commonly prescribed drugs |
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History
of Chamomile
The Ancient Greeks gave Chamomile it's name,
which means "Ground Apple" because of its apple scent. |
| It has been used for medicinal
purposes since the time of the Egyptian Pharos, when it was dedicated to
the sun god Ra for it's ability to treat fever caused by malaria. The
Saxons named Chamomile as one of their nine sacred herbs. They used it
to treat stomach complaints and as a calming remedy. |
| In the Middle Ages Chamomile
was scattered in the hallways of castles and houses to keep away disease
- and to mask unpleasant smells. |
| As the years passed Chamomile's
popularity continued to grow, until in Germany in 1987 it was named
"plant of the year". |
| Today in Europe the Chamomile
industry is huge. It is sold in many different forms - dried and in
liquid for internal use, and for external use it can be found in
ointments, creams, cosmetics, bath products and hair dyes. |
| The Germans have used the phrase
"alles zutraut" to describe Chamomile. This means
"capable of anything" - a title that this sweet smelling
ground plant well deserves. |
