Stomach upset or flu like symptoms? You may want to try a nice hot cup of Chamomile tea. Most people look at chamomiles like the herb that relaxes you. Chamomile does have a calming effect on the body. There are more health benefits of Chamomile than calming. When you brew your cup, inhale it’s calming fragrance. Sip after sip it’s work will begin. There is a long list of health benefits shared below. I’ve brewed chamomile for my children before bedtime. Chamomile is one of the amazing plants easy to grow and easy to brew. The benefits of Chamomile tea are momentous.
Chamomile
Chamomile has been used for centuries. The name Chamomile comes from two greek words:
- chamai (on the ground) , and
- melon (ground apple) because of its scent
There are more varieties of Chamomile than the two I will talk about today. The two I will talk about are the only ones used for medicinal purposes.
Roman Chamomile Chamaemelum Nobile perennial is a bit bitter. It grows close to the ground and vines out to root into the ground along its path. The leaves are a grey green and feathery. The flowers will look like smaller daisies with flat centers. In England, Roman Chamomile is used as part of lawn landscapes. As the plants are stepped on it releases the chamomiles fragrance.
German Chamomile Marticaria recutita grows to about 2 feet. It is sweeter and a bit more potent than Roman variety. The leaves are a bright green that wrap at the stem base. The flowers are daisy like but miniature with a cone shape center. This is considered the best calming Chamomile and its flowers are used in Spain to flavor drinks.
Chamomile is native to Germany, Egypt, France, Spain, Italy, Morocco and Eastern Europe. But can be found all over the world (even in your own backyard). While found in various places of the world the healing nature of the chamomile plant appears to be the same.
Fresh and Dried flower is used to create the tisane (tea)
Use of chamomile dates back over five thousand years and is one of the nine sacred herbs of the Saxons.
Chamomile can also be found in lotions, soaps, shampoos and wipes. Most popular form is tea. Some people drink up to four cups a day.
Chamomile has a few nicknames, one of which is the herbal aspirin. The name comes from its soothing nature as it calms headaches, aches and pains.
Chamomile nutrition
One cup of chamomile tea has two calories, two milligrams of sodium and no cholesterol. It is also caffeine free.
Chamomile also contains:
Bisabolol – helps to calm inflamed skin
Bisabolol oxides A and B – are anti inflammatory
Matricin apigenin – aids in glycemic and diabetic regulation
Valerianic acid – sedative and antispasmodic activity
Coumarin – may increase levels of antithrombin that helps regulate blood clotting. *Can also interfere with medications
Tannic Acid – helps bring down the inflammation and stop bleeding
Glycosides – reduces anxiety while not disrupting normal performance or function
Salicylates – Helps reduce pain
Flavonoids – help aid the body with inflammation
A full nutritional chart for Chamomile can be found HERE
Benefits of chamomile
Chamomile can be used internally and externally. Chamomile is also very versatile. Chamomile can be beneficial in several forms. These include: tea, salve, tincture, salve, vapor, cream essential oil or an ointment. I want to focus on the benefits of Chamomile as a beverage. Chamomile brewed is a tisane which is an herbal infusion of Chamomile flowers.
Chamomile is an herb that is incredible from growing, harvesting to partaking of. I find it interesting that Chamomile is easy to grow, easy to brew and delightful to drink. That mildness turns into a powerhouse. That powerhouse of the botanical world for healing and calming abilities. I actually learned a few things while researching the healing benefits of chamomile. You will be surprised as well. I am astonished at the list of benefits from a single plant.
Chamomile is a whole lot of anti but in a good way
Antiseptic – inhibits the pectic enzyme known for causing indigestion.
Antispasmodic – calms spasms
Antipyretic – prevents fever
Antifungal – aids in fungal infections
Anti-allergenic – helps those allergy symptoms
Anti-inflammatory – calms the inflammation
Anti-bacterial – aids in healing bacterial infections
The benefits of chamomile for the body
Immune – Chamomile calms the stomach. It also has anti allergenic properties help aid the immune system
- Flu
- Colds
- Allergies
- Runny nose
- Sinus Infection
- Conjunctivitis
Oral – Use as a mouthwash or soak a washcloth to use as a compress on inflamed areas.
- Mouth sores
- Canker Sores
- Cold Sores
- Mix with sage as a mouthwash
- Sore Throat
Children – Brew then cool and use as a cool compress or dilute for a tonic
- Teething problems
- Colic
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Chickenpox Rash
- Skin
Wounds – Brew as a tea then use as a cooled compress on a washcloth
- Bruises
- Burns
- Eczema
- Dermatitis
- Contact psoriasis
- Inflammations
- Reduces acne
DIgestion – The calming effect of Chamomile Tea on your stomach
- Morning sickness
- Ulcers
- Gastritis
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Diarrhea
- IBS
- Stomach Flu
- Leaky Gut
Pain Relief – Remember the nickname Herbal Aspirin
- Arthritis
- Back Pain
- Soothing the body after childbirth
- Sports Injury
- Reduces cramping
- Gout
- Sunburns
- Muscle Spasms
- Migraine
- Menstrual Cramps
- Hemorrhoid relief
Mental Stress – There is a strong connection to our mental stability and gut health
- Restlessness
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PMS
Miscellaneous – And the list will continue to grow Chamomile thank you!
- Anti Aging
- Cleanses the Live
- Eye Fatigue
- Can reduce dark circles under the eye
Grow and brew your own chamomile
I’m not known for my green thumb. I have a small herbal garden but my plants seem to do better in containers. Chamomile seems very easy to grow and to take care of. It’s forgiving to say the least. Scatter seeds, don’t cover, light partial light, water or drought. Chamomile seems to be a plant most of us can grow. Even the annual German Chamomile will re sow itself as if it were a perennial. What an accomplished plant.
Grow
Can you grow Chamomile? The answer is Yes! A resounding YES! It’s rather simple also. German Chamomile is an annual yet, it will self sow for years. Roman Chamomile is a perennial (grows again from the same root).
It’s easy to plant from seed. In the spring spread the seed along your ground, press into the ground but do not cover. The plants start to grow in 7-14 days. Harvesting can begin as soon as the flowers start to bloom
Roman Chamomile will grow in zones 3-9. Grow in full sun or partial shade. Water regularly, but can withstand a drought season as well. Pests seem to stay away from the Chamomile plant.
Harvest
Harvest flowers and leaves for tea. You can use both dried or fresh flowers and leaves. One plant can produce 3-6 cups of flowers (dried). Pinch off the flowers as soon as they bloom for the best flavor. Place the flowers on some parchment paper out of direct light. Allow to dry completely ( you can dehydrate them as well).
Brew
Use about 2 tablespoons of your dried flower and steep in your cup (8 ounces) and allow to steep for about 5 minutes. Remove the chamomile. You can add lemon or sweetener if you desire. I drink my tea without adding anything.
Are There risks in consuming chamomile tea?
While the risks of drinking Chamomile tea are quite low, there are a few precautions I’d like to share with you. If you are allergic to plants of the compositae family. Plants like daisies, ragweed, asters or chrysanthemums. Try testing your tolerance first with small amounts of tea or other products you may want to use.
Chamomile can, on occasion, cause allergic reactions. Those reactions include drowsiness, eye irritation, vomiting, and nausea. Drinking in moderation is the key. *Coumarin in chamomile may affect prescription drug affectability. Contact a physician for more on this topic and use it with your prescribed medications.
Caution advised to pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Conclusion
I decided to pour a cup of chamomile tea while writing this summary of the amazing benefits of Chamomile. It is a powerhouse with such a mild unique flavor. The scent alone has this interesting effect. As you breathe it in you can feel your body “sigh”, relax if you will. It’s such a wonderful feeling. If Chamomile does that with an inhale I can only imagine what it’s doing with each sip!
