Published: 10/08/2013 - Updated: 08/09/2019
Author: Prof. Dr. Luis Ruiz-García
Chamomile is a plant whose consumption has been widely used since ancient times as a popular remedy for improving digestion after a heavy meal.
Its name derives from "Khamaímelon" a Greek word that can be deducted as a small apple, because a ripe apple aroma is given off by its small flowers.
Its use has become popular thanks to its medicinal properties when used to aid digestion. Chamomile is a good digestive that promotes proper bowel function and facilitate the expulsion of gases.
Another quality of chamomile is that it has sedative properties, helping to treat mild anxiety and nervousness. It can be used to help children fall asleep, and even to alleviate menstrual cramps in women. It is a natural remedy for headaches that originate spending long hours at the computer. It can also be used to ease muscle pain after vigorous exercise because it has an antispasmodic effect.
Medicinal Properties
Drinking chamomile tea exerts a digestive and relaxing effect. Chamomile compresses can be used to prevent infection and relieve wounds and it also helps healing.
Chamomile can also be used in the bath, putting a bunch of flowers in the tub is said to release relaxing properties.
To prepare an infusion, around a dozen flowers per cup of water are required. It is often used to help digestion after a heavy meal, and for this remedy you should drink the infusion while it is very hot. Thanks to its digestive properties, it is also considered useful to help relax an irritated bowel, as in the case of colitis.
Remedies with Chamomile
For influenza and cough, chamomile can also be used in a spray. Pour eight cups of hot water in a bowl with two cups of chamomile flowers, cover your head with a towel and carefully stand over the steam given off, inhaling. If you suffer from heart disease, avoid this remedy .
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If you want to use its properties for menstrual pains, prepare a chamomile tincture. You can make a preparation with two thirds of an ounce of chamomile flowers and 1 ½ ounce of absolute alcohol. You must let the mixture sit for a week. Strain and store in a dark container. We recommend using 10 drops of tincture in a glass of water.
To treat eye diseases, chamomile is a widely used remedy. The chamomile tea compresses can relieve eye strain, eye pain and swelling in the eyelids. Take two cotton gauzes and wet them in the pre-cast chamomile tea, passing over your eyes, and allowing them to sit for 5-10 minutes.
Chamomile can also be useful against insomnia and many people use it after a heavy dinner to sleep. Drinking chamomile tea before bed is ideal to avoid insomnia. Pour a handful of chamomile flowers into a cup of hot water, you can sweeten with a spoonful of honey if you like and let stand for a couple of minutes (no more than five). Drink the contents while still retaining some heat. It is worth mentioning that in some people, chamomile may have the opposite effect, favouring insomnia.
Warnings
Chamomile is a plant considered safe for consumption, but overall major warnings are directed at people breastfeeding and pregnancy, in which either case it is not advisable to use.
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People who are allergic to its compounds should also avoid the use of chamomile. If you are allergic to any plant or essential oil you should avoid chamomile, as well as people allergic to pollen.
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