Chamomile comes from the daisy family of flowering plants (Asteraceae). Its scientific name is Matricaria recutita. It came from Europe and Western Asia, but now You can find it everywhere. The herb has a scent like an apple, which may be how it got its name. Hippocrates, the “father of medicine,” used chamomile as a natural remedy in 500 BC. Chamomile is considered one of the oldest and most valuable medicinal herbs.
There are more than 120 chemical components in essential oil and flower extracts, many of which have health benefits. For example, people have used chamomile for nearly 5,000 years in the form of standardized tea, herbal extracts, and cosmetics to help them feel calm, stay healthy, look young, and live longer.
Health Benefits
1. High Antioxidant Content
Chamomile is abundant in antioxidants and is linked to improved immune function, decreased rates of mood disorders, less pain and swelling, and healthier skin. Chamomile benefits start with antioxidants related to good immune function and are also associated with healthy skin, hair, nails, teeth, and eyes.
2. Insomnia
Chamomile is a popular alternative therapy for increasing sleep and treating insomnia. Despite its reputation as a sleep aid, no substantial research backs up its usefulness. Furthermore, more solid research is needed to support its effectiveness. However, a 2017 study found significant improvement in sleep quality when participants were given 400-milligram capsules twice a day for four weeks.
3. It Combats Anxiety and Depression.
Chamomile is a popular ingredient in many candles, aromatherapy products, and bath-soaking treatments. In addition, it is commonly used as a mild sedative in extract form to soothe nerves and relieve anxiety. Chamomile vapors reach the olfactory area of the brain, lowering tension and the body’s stress reaction. As a result, it can successfully alleviate persistent anxiety and stress symptoms, such as hysteria, nightmares, sleeplessness, and various digestive issues.
4. Digestive Problems
Chamomile can treat gastrointestinal problems, such as gas, acid reflux symptoms, anorexia, motion sickness, indigestion, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. In addition, chamomile extract can help shorten the course of diarrhea and colic in children and relieve symptoms associated with pain and anxiety. The mellowing properties make it a suitable choice for pregnant women to soothe the digestive tract and function as a natural cure for nausea.
5. It has Powerful Anti-inflammatory and Pain-relieving Powers.
Chamomile is often called a “herbal aspirin” because it has been used to treat pain at home for hundreds of years. You can reduce pain, congestion, swelling, and redness by using chamomile flowers alone or with other anti-inflammatory foods. Also, they work well to reduce facial swelling, skin irritations, toothaches, infection pain, and underlying inflammation problems.
6. Wound Healing
Chamomile contains substances that can kill viruses and bacteria, reduce inflammation, and prevent and treat the growth of ulcers—applying chamomile ointment after surgery was more effective at healing skin lesions than using a cream containing one percent hydrocortisone. When applied once daily for an hour, a compress speeds up wound healing by five or six days.
7. Wound Healing
Traditional medicine uses chamomile to heal cuts, ulcers, eczema, gout, skin irritations, bruises, burns, and canker sores. As a bonus, it may also treat chickenpox and reduce dandruff organically. It can also be used to remove age spots and fine wrinkles. In addition, you can use chamomile oil around the eyes to fight infections and sties.
8. Oral Health
Chamomile’s benefits include fighting various bacterial infections of the oral cavity, teeth, and gums. In addition, chamomile mouthwashes significantly reduce gingivitis and plaque compared to controls, probably because of their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. The herb can also help reduce pain associated with cancer sores, wounds, and toothaches.
9. Relieves Congestion
Studies have shown that inhaling steam with chamomile extract is helpful in common cold symptoms. Some people even gargle the extract to fight inflammation of the mucous membranes within the mouth and throat.
10. It May be Good for the Heart.
One study found that older adults who ate more flavonoids from foods and herbs were much less likely to die from coronary heart disease.
Uses of Chamomile
Chamomile is widely accessible and utilized in various ways, including tea, essential oil, dry powder, and tincture. The plant extract can be applied on the skin as a cream, ointment, or mouth rinse. Tea is the most popular way to experience the plant’s relaxing properties. To reap the best advantages, go for organic, pure tea leaves. Chamomile essential oil is available at health food stores and online. It’s a fantastic treatment for skin problems and pain relief.
Side Effects
Chamomile is likely safe when taken for a short period. Common side effects may include mild skin rash, scaling, or itching. Perform a patch test on a tiny area of your skin to check that you are not allergic to the plant’s oils. Chamomile products are known to be modest uterine stimulants; therefore, consult a doctor before consuming chamomiles if you are pregnant.
Because chamomile belongs to the same plant family as ragweed and chrysanthemum, people who are allergic to these plants may react. Contact your doctor if you develop vomiting, skin irritation, or allergic reactions (chest tightness, wheezing, hives, rash, or itching) after taking Chamaemelum Nobile. People with endometriosis, fibroids, or malignancies of the breast, uterus, or ovaries should also avoid taking this product.
Conclusion
It is commonly used as a mild sedative in extract form to soothe nerves and relieve anxiety. It aids in treating diarrhea and colic in children, as well as the relief of symptoms connected with pain and anxiety. In addition, chamomile mouthwashes significantly reduce gingivitis and plaque compared to controls, probably because of their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities.
The herb can also help reduce pain associated with cancer sores, wounds, and toothaches. Common side effects may include mild skin rash, scaling, or itching.
Where to Buy
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DISCLAIMER OF MEDICINE
This information is not meant to provide medical advice or replace a personal physician’s advice or treatment. All readers of this information, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should check with their doctors before initiating any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program. In addition, the statements and goods on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
