What is Chamomile?

Two plants are known as Chamomile or Chamomilla: the more popular German chamomile (latin Matricaria recutita) and Roman chamomile (latin Chamaemelum nobile). The flowers of the Roman camomile are generally larger than the ones of German camomile, and the cone at the center of its flowers are solid white while in the other they are hollow. Even though these two plants belong to different species and even different genus, they are used to treat similar conditions: to calm frayed nerves, treat digestive disorders, relieve muscle spasms, treat skin conditions and mild infections.

Chamomile in the form of steam bath or steam inhalations can effectively bring relief from asthma, ward off hay fever, and it can also alleviate catarrh and sinusitis.

Topical chamomile cream has been used to treat sore nipples.

Chamomile shower is often used as a vaginal douche for the treatment of all kinds of vaginal infections in women. Sitting in chamomile tea will bring soothing relief from cystitis and hemorrhoids.

Chamomile tea offers an antiseptic eyewash to treat sore, puffy and inflamed eyes and it can also be used as a lotion for the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions including eczema and common fungal infections such as ringworm.

The active ingredient in chamomile essential oil is known as bisabolol, and this is the ingredient with a number of anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties. Chamomile can be used topically or orally. German chamomile is available in form of dried chamomile flower heads, chamomile tea, chamomile liquid extract, chamomile oil, chamomile capsules, and chamomile topical ointment or cream.

Medicinal use of Chamomile

The medicinal use of chamomile (latin Chamomilla recutita / Matricaria recutita) dates back thousands of years. Egyptians, Romans and Greeks have used it to treat various conditions, such as:

• Abscess.
• Acne.
• Anxiety.
• Asthma.
• Burns.
• Chest cold.
• Children’s conditions such as chickenpox, diaper rash, colic.
• Dark circles around the eyes and puffy eyes: Dip two chamomile tea bags in warm water. After 5 minutes, remove the tea bags and let them cool to room temperature. Then place them on your eyes as a compress.
• Digestive problems: Chamomile helps relax muscle contractions, particularly the ones in the smooth muscles in our  intestines. It is successfully used to treat stomach cramps, irritable bowel syndrome, gas, indigestion, diarrhea, and colic.
• Dry and flaky skin.
• Eczema: Chamomile is used topically in cream or ointment to soothe irritated skin.
• Gum inflammation (gingivitis).
• Hemorrhoids.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis).
• Insect bites.
• Insomnia and other sleep disorders: low doses of chamomile relieve anxiety, higher doses of chamomile promote sleep.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Chamomile reduces cramping and pain in the bowels and helps relieve excessive gas and bloating in the intestines.
• Menstrual Cramps and PMS: Chamomile tea shows to be very beneficial in treating PMS and Menstrual Cramps.
• Migraine headaches: Chamomile shows to be a wonderful cure for migraines. It works best if taken before the headache gets severe.
• Minor first-degree burns.
• Muscle twitches.
• Nervous tension.
• Psoriasis.
• Scrapes.
• Sore throat.
• Stomach cramps: Chamomile has been found to contain fairly strong antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory constituents. Therefore, it has been found to be effective in treating stomach and intestinal cramps.
• Stomach flu.
• Stomach ulcers.
• Ulcers.
• Wounds.

Health benefits of chamomille

• Reduces inflammation.
• Speeds up wound healing.
• Reduces muscle spasms.
• Serves as a mild sedative and helps with sleeping.
• Has antibacterial (antiseptic), antifungal, analgesic, antispasmodic, and antiviral properties.
• Acts as Antiallergenic.
• Chamomile has also been found to lighten the skin tone (steam or tea bath).

Precautions and Possible Interactions of Camomile

• German chamomile is considered generally safe, but it could make asthma worse, so people with asthma should not take it.
• Pregnant women should avoid chamomile because of the elevated risk of miscarriage. Chamomile is considered to be an abortifacient (a substance that induces abortion).
• If you are sensitive to asters, daisies, chrysanthemums, or ragweed, you may also be allergic to chamomile.
• Drinking large amounts of highly concentrated chamomile tea may cause vomiting.
• Chamomille interaction with anticoagulants: Since chamomile contains a substance called coumarin (which is also a blood thinner), Chamomile should not be used in combination with anticoagulants (blood-thinning medications, also referred to as anti-cloting drugs). Chamomille may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin or heparin.
• Chamomille interaction with Sedatives: Chamomile can increase the effect of drugs that have a sedating effect, including Anticonvulsants, such as phenytoin (Dilantin) and valproic acid (Depakote), Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium), Drugs to treat insomnia, such as zolpidem (Ambien), zaleplon (Sonata), eszopiclone (Lunesta), and ramelteon (Rozerem), Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline (Elavil), Alcohol.

If you are taking any of the stated drugs, you should not use German chamomile without first talking to your health care provider.