The Medicinal Uses of German Chamomile

Disclaimer.  I am not a licensed health practitioner.  This is just another post on an item you might wish to have available if needed so that a physician can treat you and your family as best as possible.  No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.  Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care.  A qualified, licensed physician or other medical provider should be consulted before beginning any herbal or conventional treatment.

German chamomile, Matricaria recutita, is the most widely consumed herbal tea in the world, and primarily for its calming properties.  But there is a whole lot more to German chamomile than just its ability to reduce stress and anxiety.  It has a well-documented history of being used internally and externally to treat a wide array of problems.

German chamomile is an annual plant.  The medicine is entirely within the flowers, which should be harvested in the late morning.  In addition to being consumed in tea, it is also used in salves.  The essential oil is especially effective in aromatherapy.

Infusion.  Steep a chamomile tea bag, one teaspoon of the dried herb, or two teaspoons fresh, in one cup of boiling water, covered, for ten minutes.  German chamomile is extremely safe, even for infants, who may be given up to 150 ml of tea to relieve colic.  This infusion has historically been taken to alleviate symptoms of the following:

• insomnia
• mild to moderate asthma
• headache, including migraines
• arthritis, lower back pain, joint pain, muscle cramps
• eye infections
• poison oak, poison ivy, poison sumac
• colds, fever, influenza, sinus infections, allergies
• stress, anxiety, depression
• upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, colic, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, gastric ulcers, acid reflux, constipation

Poultice.  While the infusion is taken internally, a tea bag or a clean cloth dipped in the infusion may be applied to the skin, joints, and muscles as well to achieve relief.  A wet tea bag applied to the eye in cases of conjunctivitis is particularly effective.  It can also alleviate arthritis and muscle pain.

Essential oil.  German chamomile essential oil is wonderful aromatherapy for many of the above conditions as well.  It is especially beneficial in calming restless children.  While having them inhale the aroma from a bottle might prove difficult as they're trying to fly around the room, putting a drop or two on a blanket, favorite stuffed animal, or even their pajamas may do the trick.  Clinical studies have demonstrated chamomile's efficacy in relieving the following:

• stress, anxiety, depression
• colds, asthma 

Salve.  Chamomile salve is used to relieve hemorrhoids and heal minor wounds and burns.  It can also be applied to skin rashes.  Prepare a chamomile salve by infusing dry chamomile in an equal amount of coconut oil, either on the stove over very low heat, or in a sunny window for a few weeks.  Strain out the herb, bottle, label, and put it in a dark cabinet.  Use the salve for hemorrhoids, skin irritations and rashes, and minor wounds and burns.

Contraindications:  Avoid internal use in pregnancy.  Chamomile should not be used by individuals allergic to ragweeds.  German chamomile should also be avoided by those taking warfarin. 

Links to related posts:
Dealing with Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)   
Diverticulitis

For further reading:
https://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-chamomile.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/
https://draxe.com/nutrition/herbs/chamomile-benefits/
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bpb/28/5/28_5_808/_article
https://articles.mercola.com/herbs-spices/chamomile.aspx

18 october 2019