Chamomile: properties and benefits and what it is used for

Chamomile is one of the medicinal plants most consumed worldwide for centuries, due to the great number of health benefits it provides. In fact, in some cultures and countries it is considered a true miracle of nature. Discover here all the properties of chamomile and learn how to use these flowers to get the most out of them.

What is chamomile

Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is a herbaceous plant native to the Balkans and North Africa. With proper care, it can exceed 60 cm tall.

Due to its numerous medicinal properties, its cultivation has spread worldwide and it has been used as natural remedy for centuries. For example, in the Middle Ages it was used to treat digestive problems and in some countries like Egypt to treat diseases such as malaria.

Properties of chamomile

Some of the reasons why chamomile is so popular are its antioxidants and toanti-inflammatory. But it also has many more health benefits that you may not know. Here are the most notable ones:

Benefits of chamomile

• Regulates and protects the digestive system: chamomile helps protect and repair the gastric membrane and promotes the elimination of fluids. This makes it a perfect natural remedy to treat problems such as acidity, gastritis, or vomiting. Likewise, it is also very good to prevent stomach cramps and combat very heavy digestion.
• Soothing properties: chamomile acts as a relaxant and that is why it is very good to help reducing anxiety and depression. Its sedative effect also combats insomnia and helps to fall asleep better. In fact, it is a plant widely used in the technique of aromatherapy.
• Strengthens the immune system: another great benefit of chamomile is its ability to prevent infections thanks to its high content of phenolic compounds.
• Relieves joint pain
• Controls the glycemic index: this plant helps regulate the amount of sugar in our blood, which is why it is a good ally to treat symptoms of diseases such as diabetes.
• Antioxidant properties: these properties help reduce the chances of developing cancer or heart diseases.
• Anti-inflammatory properties: thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, chamomile is a perfect ally to combat sore throat or nasal congestion during the cold.

Contraindications

Although this plant can boast multiple medicinal properties, it is also important to consider that its misuse or excessive consumption it can cause side effects. These are the most common, although we recommend that you consult your trusted doctor before consuming it.

• Drowsiness: excessive consumption can cause drowsiness due to its relaxing effect.
• People who have pollen allergy, you should be cautious because applying chamomile on the skin can cause irritation or dermatological problems such as dermatitis.
• Its use is recommended to be avoided in pregnant women or during breastfeeding.
• On the other hand, it is also not recommended to take with contraceptives or anticoagulants.

What chamomile is used for

Chamomile infusion

If you want to take advantage of all the properties of chamomile we mentioned before, then the best way is to prepare an infusion. You can do it using dried flowers, or by buying the chamomile bags which you can easily find in any store or herbalist.

In both cases you should boil a couple of cups of water and then add the petals or the bag which you should leave inside for at least 5 minutes. Then remove the petals or the bag and your infusion will be ready.

You can add a little fennel to the infusion to also benefit from other properties. Take a look at our post about the properties of fennel and discover all the benefits it can bring you.

Chamomile for hair

Chamomile has properties that can help strengthen the hair, to fight dandruff and reduce scalp oiliness, giving it shine and light. Similarly, chamomile is also a very commonly used natural remedy to lighten hair thanks to its high content of pigments such as apigenin. There is a wide variety of products on the market for this purpose. Surely in any supermarket or pharmacy you will find the one that best suits your hair's needs.

Chamomile for the skin

Finally, chamomile also helps improve skin health. Its antioxidant properties prevent premature aging and they also increase collagen production. Likewise, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties and healing, makes it a good remedy to heal irritations and wounds. For example, it is very useful to reduce styes.

To take advantage of these benefits, the best is to soak a sterile gauze in a hot chamomile infusion and apply it to the skin. In the case of styes, we recommend leaving it on the eyelid for a few minutes to have an effect. On the other hand, you can also opt for creams, soaps and other body products containing this ingredient if you want to give your skin a a much younger and fresher appearance.