Chamomile uses and benefits.
Brief history of chamomile
Chamomile is a daisy-like plant with numerous health benefits. It was first discovered by the ancient Egyptians. They were the ones who first discovered that the plant could cure fever. The ancient Egyptians used to call it “ague” back then. They continued to use it for fever, until some of them also discovered that rubbing its flowers on the skin could work as a cosmetic treatment. Moreover, the ancient Egyptians also used its essence for embalming dead pharaohs.
The chamomile plant has similar smell with apple so it was named “Chamomaela”, a Greek word that means ground apple. So, it is needless to say the word chamomile comes from Chamomaela.
The early Romans also used the chamomile plant as flavor additive in drinks. Later on, they began using it as medicinal herb. The early Spaniards used it in shampoos for shiny hair. People also used chamomile as air freshener in medieval times by sprinkling it around.
Why chamomile is more than just a plant
Chamomile plant is a plant that comes from daisy-like flowers of the Asteraceae family. It is popular because it has numerous health benefits.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is a popular beverage made from dried chamomile flowers and it also has its health benefits too.
To make the tea, you will get chamomile flowers dried and infuse them into hot water.
The tea has a lot of antioxidants which protect the human body against cancer and several other diseases.
Chamomile flowers have been used for centuries as natural treatment for a number of everyday health problems like insomnia and other sleep disorders, anxiety and panic attacks, wounds, skin conditions, menstrual cramps and stomach problems.
Pure chamomile naturally contains bisabolol, which has a number of anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant, and anti-microbial properties.
Chamomile Oil
This is one of the most beneficial essential oils and it is the oil extract from chamomile plant.
Chamomile oil is very popular throughout the ages for its sedative and soothing qualities. It can help to relax stressed mind and tense body.
Chamomile Pills
Due to the numerous health benefits of the plant, it has been turned into different types of capsules.
The capsules are used as supplements and for preventive measures. You can find good chamomile supplement capsules online, on Amazon, for example.
Is chamomile safe?
Being a plant, chamomile is quite safe. However, it has a few side effects that you should watch out for.
Some people are too sensitive to all the plants in the Asteraceae family. Those people should avoid chamomile tea, pills, or oil as it may trigger allergic reactions in them.
Chamomile has blood thinning properties and it should not be taken if you are on any other blood thinning medication. It can react dangerously if it comes in contact with other blood thinning drugs.
The third side effect of the plant is nausea. This is why pregnant women should stay away from it.
Types of chamomile
There are several types of chamomile which are Wild Chamomile, Yellow Chamomile, Moroccan Chamomile, German Chamomile, Egyptian Chamomile, and also Roman Chamomile.
The major differences among the types of chamomile lie in their flowers. Most of them have white flowers except for the yellow chamomile whose flower is yellow in color.
Of all the types, the German, Egyptian, and Roman chamomiles are the most beneficial so they are the ones to go for. You are okay with any of the three types.
Health Benefits and Best Uses of chamomile
Some of the chamomile uses and benefits are:
• Chamomile helps to fight anxiety and depression.
– It helps to alleviate the symptoms of PMS
• Chamomile can aid in fever reduction when taken as tea.
– It reduces and prevents insomnia.
• Applying chamomile oil on the skin makes it healthy and smooth. It cures several skin conditions like chicken pox, burns, gout, eczema, and skin irritations, just to mention a few.
– Chamomile prevents and cures digestive issues
• It also has some cancer prevention properties.
– Chamomile can help in the management of diabetes.
• It also helps to heal wounds fast.
– Chamomile helps to prevent cold and flu.
Best uses of chamomile:
- Placing Roman chamomile tea bags on the eyes helps to get rid of puffiness and dark circles.
2. Rubbing chamomile oil on the skin at least once in a day helps to prevent all kinds of skin conditions and also leaves the skin moisturized.
3. Taking a warm cup of chamomile tea at bed time will reduce insomnia and improve the quality of sleep.
In conclusion, chamomile and a lot of other plants offer infinite health benefits as more of their benefits will still be discovered as time goes on.
