March
Chamomile
Welcome back! I know I’m not the only one struggling with seasonal mood swings, but this year feels just a little more stressful than before. Thankfully I’ve had my medicine cabinet stocked with all the herbs I need to survive this season, and I can strongly say that I haven’t gotten sick this season! This month we are going to dive into chamomile and how you can use it for more than just sleep.
Chamomile (like most herbs) has been used medicinally for centuries by the Romans, In Greece and around Egypt to aid many ailments. There are a few other plants in the chamomile family that are sometimes referred to as such but don’t hold the same medicinal properties. These include wild chamomile, Egyptian chamomile, and Moroccan chamomile. The two types of plants you want are German chamomile (matricaria chamomilla) as well as Roman or English chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile).
How does it work? Chamomile has three main components that make this herb medically useful. Apigenin, Polyphenois, and Bisabolol. Apigenin (antioxidant) works by binding to the brain receptors to promote relaxation and sleep. Bisabolol is what gives this herb its anti-inflammatory properties. Polyphenois, this antioxidant scavenges free radical, protecting cells from damage. However, if you are taking blood thinners, chamomile could possibly interact with that medication.
Now on to the best part, how to use it to benefit you the most. We were all told “if you can’t sleep drink some chamomile tea” while that statement remains true it’s not the only reason you should be reaching for this herb. In a tea it can be used for chest colds, fever, sore throat, acid reflux, diarrhea & gas, IBS, heartburn and stomach ulcers. As a tincture or lotion chamomile can be used to help with hemorrhoids, canker sores, abscesses, acne, eczema and minor first-degree burn. It can also be used in mouthwash form for gum inflammation and mouth sores. As always dig a little deeper for yourself and see if this herb can help make life a little more enjoyable and be sure to stay safe!
