Useful Herbs: Chamomile

Written by Thomas Corriher Wednesday, 25 November 2009 15:24

Why Chamomile Should Always Be In Your Medicine Cabinet

Chamomile (sometimes pronounced with a silent 'h') has not only been popular with modern alternative medicine practitioners, but its medicinal roots can be traced back for centuries.  It is famous for its ability to ease discomfort in the digestive tract. It has also been used for:

• Allergies
• Indigestion
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Colic
• Crohn's disease
• Diarrhea
• Migraines (resulting from allergies)
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Peptic ulcers
• Skin irritations
• Minor wounds

Chamomile is effective as a mild sedative for promoting restful sleep when infused into tea, or otherwise taken internally.  It is ideal for anyone who suffers from insomnia because it is very unlikely to cause drowsiness the following morning if taken at a reasonable time in the evening.  For those who suffer with insomnia, we urge you to deal with the cause; whether it is emotional or physical.  In the meantime, chamomile will certainly help.

In our household, the most common use is a topical application on insect bites.  Chamomile eliminates itching better and more rapidly than any pharmaceutical or retail product that we have found.  The insect bites often disappear completely within hours of chamomile application, and the itching usually stops within minutes.  Topical applications of chamomile have shown to decrease the healing time necessary for wounds.  To make a topical application solution, mix ground chamomile powder with vodka.  These are the two methods of manufacture that we recommend.  Method 1 is to blend chamomile flowers with vodka, and then strain.  Another method for making the topical solution is to purchase chamomile as a supplement, and then empty the chamomile powder from the capsules into the vodka.  It will be ready after thorough mixing.  The solution should be stored in the refrigerator.  It becomes stronger with time, so we make our own solution long before we need it.

Chamomile is known in some gardening circles as the 'plant doctor', due to its ability to help the health of other plants growing nearby.  It is also said to increase the production of essential oils in those nearby plants.

Chamomile is a natural antihistamine, which helps to treat allergies and asthma. Allergies only occur when the immune system is weakened, but chamomile tea or supplements will help to quell the symptoms.  Just be aware that large amounts will cause drowsiness.

Warning Chamomile is a relative of ragweed and should be used with caution in those who suffer from ragweed allergies.  If any allergic symptoms occur, then discontinue.