harvesting and preparation
The flowers are the parts used medicinally and should be gathered on a dry day when the flowers are in full bloom, usually in mid summer. Pick just the flowers and make sure to leave plenty on the plant to ensure seed production for next years plants. New flowers will appear though throughout the summer with regular harvesting.
Lay the flowers on a tray lined with newspaper and dry in a warm place, turning regularly and checking for any mould etc. before storing in an airtight jar in a cool dark place.
Chamomile flowers can also be used fresh in the same way as dried flowers.
Chamomile dried herb and tincture are available to buy in our herbal shop.
therapeutic actions and uses
Chamomile is such a useful and versatile plant that I would never want to be without it, especially in dried flower form. It is perhaps most famous for its positive actions on the entire digestive system, as an anti-inflammatory and as a calming remedy for the nerves but has quite a few more tricks up its pretty sleeves.
Its
anti-inflammatory actions are well known are can be of benefit to the entire digestive system, the skin, mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, vagin
a, anus, etc.).
A poultice of the soaked flowers can help heal
sprains and strains.
Chamomile is also strengthening to blood vessels and any other smooth muscle organs such as the heart, bladder, kidneys and uterus.
Chamomile is a known
anti-fungal and can be used in
candida, fungal infections, ringworm, athletes foot and
'jock itch' etc. A strong tea can be sprayed on plants growing in moist conditions to prevent fungal diseases such as 'damping off' and powdery mildew.
Chamomile flowers also possess
antiviral substances which have shown promise against the
herpes virus (
cold sores and
genital herpes) and the
common cold virus. Chamomile has also been shown to inhibit the
polio virus http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6317803.
The flowers are known to be antibacterial, effective against staphylococcus strains, H.pylori (associated with stomach ulcers and gastritis), Mycobacterium tuberculosis among others.
It has been used for centuries as a mild pain reliever (either as a tea, poultice or the essential oil used in a rub) for many conditions including
headache, backache, sciatica, earache, stomach or
intestinal spasms and
griping, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, rheumatic pains and
toothache.
Fans of chamomile and herbalists have known for many years that the tea can soothe the
nerves and relieve nervous
tension, excitability and irritability,
anxiety and
depression without any of the side effects of conventional drugs. The soothing action of chamomile on the nerves makes it extremely useful for
stress (whether bodily or emotional),
seizures, to aid sleep and prevent
insomnia, dizziness, prevent
nightmares, ease
muscular spasms, restless leg syndrome, hyperactivity. Regular daily consumption of 3 -5 cups can bring rapid relief.
Chamomile is well known for its tonic actions on the entire digestive system from the stomach to the bowels. It helps improve digestion, prevents fermentation and stagnation, prevents and helps heal stomach and intestinal
ulcers, acid reflux, heartburn, indigestion, appendicitis, oesophagitis, aids
weight loss, soothes
nausea and
vomiting, liver tonic, pancreas tonic,
constipation, diverticulitis, gallstone pain, gastro-enteritis, gastritis, dysentery, giardia, increases
salivary gland secretion and
pyloric stenosis or any tightness and constriction in the digestive tract.
Chamomile is a natural
anti-histamine and helps to reduce the allergic responses in food sensitivities and other
allergies, insect bites and stings. It does however actually cause allergic reactions in a very small number of individuals who are sensitive to plants such as ragwort and other members of the daisy family.
It can be used to help relieve
rheumatism as a poultice, infused oil and/or tea. To make an infused oil add a handful of dried flowers to 200ml or so of olive oil or similar and heat very gently in a bain marie for a few hours. Squeeze out all the oil from the flowers and discard. The oil remaining can be used to massage into affected and painful areas. Keep the cool and dark (in an airtight jar) when not in use and make a fresh batch every other day or so.
A cup of chamomile tea taken with meals has been shown to reduce the likelihood of developing
diabetes and can help
balance blood sugar levels. It can also help protect against
diabetic complications.
It can be very useful in acute and active flare ups of
crohns disease,
colitis and
IBS where it soothes pain, irritation and inflammation when taken as a strong tea.
Chamomile encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria in the bowel so can also benefit general vitality and immunity.
It can also be used safely and gently over long periods to help eliminate
worms.
Rinse a cup of strong chamomile tea around the mouth a few times daily to help heal
gingivitis, mouth ulcers, lichen planus in the mouth and other
gum inflammation. If you soak a chamomile teabag or use the soaked flowers as a poultice to place on
mouth abscesses it will draw out pus and help heal the infection
. It can give great relief in cases of
oral mucositis.
Chamomile tea makes a great eyewash for
conjunctivitis, other eye infections, allergic reactions,
styes, inflammation and tired or sore eyes.
Chamomile is soothing to irritated skin,
eczema (especially weeping),
psoriasis, rashes and wound healing as it encourages skin repair and helps clean infected wounds of pus. As a poultice, it is more effective than hydro-cortisone for reducing inflammation. It also makes a lovely rinse to the hair for conditioning and for relieving itchy or flaky scalps (such as in
dandruff) and can soothe
sunburn and encourage skin repair. Chamomile flower tea also makes a nice wash for the face to help improve skin condition, get rid of and help prevent
spots and reduce
wrinkle formation and improve
scars.
PMT symptoms such as cramping pains, anxiety and depression can be eased with chamomile. Other female reproductive issues such as
vaginitis, pelvic inflammatory disease and
salpingitis can all benefit from chamomile. A poultice on the breast can help to relieve the pain and swelling of
mastitis.
Chamomile flowers have shown to be efficient killers of
cancer cells when tested on men with
prostate cancer.
Chamomile is particularly suitable for all sorts of ailments in
children and babies such as
nappy rash and
irritated skin and
eczema, cradle cap, colic, teething pain, hyperactivity, tantrums and for settling them down at night. Useful also as a soothing remedy and immune booster in childhood illnesses like
rubella, mumps, measles, chicken pox, convulsions, meningitis etc.
Add a handful of chamomile flowers to your bath for a relaxing soak.
Here is a link to some of the more recent trials and medical implications for chamomile
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/
dosage and cautions
Chamomile is an excellent and safe herb suitable for everyday use.
Use sparingly during pregnancy.
*Very rarely it has produced anaphylactic like symptoms or skin allergies in sensitive individuals so if you suspect you are allergic to daisy like plants or their pollen then use with extreme caution or avoid completely.
Adult
Tincture: 5-10 ml in a little water, 3 times daily
Dried herb in tea form: 1 heaped teaspoon, 3 -5 times daily (mild dose) or 2 heaped teaspoons per cup (standard/strong dose)
Fresh herb in tea form: 1 -2 heaped teaspoon, 3 times daily
Children
Add 12 to the child’s age. Divide the child’s age by the total.
E.g. dosage for a 4 year old...... 4 {age} divided by 16 {age + 12} = . 25 or 1/4 of the adult dosage.
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