Written By Miranda Regalado
One of the natural remedies that has been unquestionably part of many households for ages, it is Chamomile. This name it is used to label several daisy-like plants of the family Asteraceae, but only two are used to make herbal infusions for beverages, Matricaria chamomilla (also known as “German Chamomile”) and Chamaemelum nobile (known as Roman/English chamomile).
One of the most common uses we gave it at our house was drinking a little tea cup before going to bed, I didn’t know if it was the warmth comforting sensation or the sweet flowery scent, but it seemed to work. Now science shows that this plant its rich in flavonoids, particularly Apigenin. A study published by PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH magazine on 1996 showed that Apigenin has benzodiazepine-like effects on the brain. And for the fans of aromatherapy, another study showed that inhaling the vapor of chamomile oil reduced the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) level which regulates cortisol production, better known as our stress hormone.
The second best use was to also have a cup of tea whenever the tummy hurt, if it was up to my grandma we would drink it after every meal. I remember to be reluctant to have it sometimes, but it turns out that Chamomile is especially helpful in dispelling gas, soothing the stomach, and relaxing the muscles that move food through the intestines. A study performed on 68 healthy term infants who had colic (2 to 8 weeks old) in which some where offered tea (German chamomile, vervain, licorice, fennel, balm mint) or placebo (glucose, flavoring). After 7 days of treatment, parents reported that the tea eliminated the colic in 57% of the infants, whereas placebo was helpful in only 26%. Even though this showed that Chamomile could be safe for infants, always consult with a pediatrician beforehand.
It is widely known that this mighty flower has benefits whether you ingested or use it topically, well this next use was passed on to me by my mother-in-law. She would place a used chamomile tea bag on her eyes for about ten minutes to help with puffiness and inflammation. A natural and relaxing way to have a fresher and youthful under-eye. Now I came across the information that Chamomile contains 1-2% volatile oils and other flavonoids which possess anti-inflammatory properties and it was proven in a study with human volunteers that these penetrate below the skin surface into the deeper skin layers.
When we talk about contraindications, even though they are relatively low, there are people with sensitivity and allergic reactions to this plant. As we discussed we mainly use only two types of chamomile, and it is possible that some reports of allergic reactions may be due to contamination by “dog chamomile,” a highly allergenic and bad-tasting plant of similar appearance.
I hope we can all enjoy the great benefits of this tiny flower, and remember to always consult your doctor if you have questions.
