2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Chamomile is a medicinal plant, especially an herb that is often used in various diseases. The use of chamomile and more often chamomile tea is widely used mainly because of the pleasant light aroma and taste of the decoction.
Especially suitable chamomile tea is combined with honey. Over the years, chamomile has become a valuable raw material for the chemical and cosmetic industries, and today there are many products on the market such as creams, scrubs, shampoos with chamomile extracts.
The Latin name of chamomile is Matricaria, and in our country it is also known as "chamomile". In fact, the name Matricaria comes from the Latin mater, which means mother. Chamomile is an annual herbaceous plant that is a low plant and has a branched stem. The chamomile reaches a maximum height of 50 cm. The leaves are double- and triple-pinnate, filamentous, cut. Chamomile flowers are collected in a basket inflorescence.
Chamomile has long stalks that have numerous stem branches, ending in small white flowers with pronounced yellow stamens. The worlds of chamomile consist of ring-shaped, white, lingual, female flowers and internal, tubular, yellow, bisexual flowers. The flower bed is convex and hollow inside. The fruit of chamomile is an elongated brown seed.
The chamomile is a wild crop - found in meadows, meadows, hills, even in weedy and abandoned places and along roads.
Composition of chamomile
In the chemical composition of chamomile the elements contained in the colors stand out. They contain chamomile essential oil, which has a green to blue color depending on the amount of azulenes. Chamomile oil contains a large amount of paraffin and sesquiterpenes of the cadinene type (about 10%), as well as caprylic, nonyl and isoleric acid.
Its main ingredients are bisabol and its oxygen derivatives farnesene and chamazulene, contained in varying amounts - from 1 to 15%. Chamomile is rich more of coumarins, flavonoid glycosides apin and patulitrin, mucous substances, nicotinic acid, salicylic acid, glycerides of oleic palmitic, stearic and linoleic acid, carotene, vitamin C, mucous and bitter substances.
Selection and storage of chamomile
Dried chamomile can be purchased from almost any pharmacy. Store it tightly closed in dry cabinets to which there is no access to direct sunlight.
It is best to collect the flowers of chamomile in the summer in dry weather. It is important to take into account that the highest concentration of essential oil is observed in the period from June to August. Because chamomile has a strong aroma, it should not be stored near foods that can absorb this aroma.
It is produced in the following forms:
- dry raw material - tea;
- liquid tincture;
- extract;
- capsules;
- chamomile oil.
Benefits of chamomile
German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) are the two main varieties of the plant used for treatment. The two species have similar effects on the human body, but German chamomile may be a little stronger. Flower baskets (Flores Chamomillae) are used for medicinal purposes. They are picked when the tongues of the peripheral white flowers are in a horizontal position. Picking is done manually or with special combs. The flowers are detached with a stalk no longer than 3 cm.
Chamomile is widely popular as a medicinal plant, which is often used in various diseases. In general, chamomile has anti-inflammatory and emollient action in diseases of the digestive tract, as well as in inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract of man.
For the treatment of the respiratory tract it is used for inhalations and gargles. Externally, chamomile is used to wash the inflamed mucous membrane of the eyes, uterus. Chamomile is an excellent remedy that is applied as a compress or rinses the anus for hemorrhoids.
Chamomile facilitates walking in great need without a laxative effect and in this way chamomile indirectly helps in the internal treatment of hemorrhoids, which can be treated externally with chamomile ointment. This ointment can also be used for wounds. Inhalation of chamomile vapor quickly relieves colds and sinusitis, after which, of course, one should stay at home warm. Chamomile decoction has an extremely beneficial effect on inflammatory processes and stones in the kidneys and bladder.
Chamomile is also one of the most famous natural sedatives. The tea from its flowers helps to normalize sleep and improve quality. Along with this chamomile helps to reduce stress and improve the condition of stomach diseases. Has an excellent effect on relieving heartburn and nausea.
However, in addition to improving our internal condition, this soothing plant also has the ability to take care of appearance. For example, if you look at the composition of many cosmetic products, you will probably notice chamomile in many of them. This is because it has a number of benefits that support skin health.
Benefits for chamomile skin
1. Chamomile flowers have not only excellent anti-inflammatory action. They are also a wonderful antioxidant and therefore help soothe the skin and eliminate redness. Chamomile decoction helps relieve skin irritations such as eczema and psoriasis.
2. Polyphenols and phytochemicals in chamomile accelerate cell regeneration, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and make scars less visible.
3. Manufacturers often add chamomile extract to sunscreens as it protects the skin from the harmful effects of the environment. It also slows down skin aging.
4. The antioxidants in the composition of the flowers have an excellent effect on the skin and improve its condition. Along with this chamomile extract helps to maintain normal blood circulation to the skin, which, in turn, is very important for maintaining beauty for a long time and smoothing the complexion.
5. This ingredient is often used in eye creams as well chamomile extract cares for the delicate area, removing puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles. Chilled bags and chamomile tea can reduce dark circles under the eyes.
6. Gels for washing the face with chamomile do an excellent job of gently cleansing the skin from oiliness and removing dead cells. Cosmetics with chamomile are delicate and do not cause irritation or inflammation.
Contraindications to the use of chamomile
Although many people believe that this plant is completely harmless, it still has some relative contraindications. First of all, it should not be taken by pregnant women, while breastfeeding women can consume decoctions or oils of chamomile with special care. This also applies to people who have any chronic pathologies, and it is also important to consult a doctor if you are taking any medications. It should not be taken in case of individual intolerance to chamomile.
Side effects of chamomile
Although rare, the following adverse events may occur:
1. Increased pressure;
2. Risk of bleeding;
3. Vomiting;
4. Bronchospasm;
5. Quincke's edema - in people with intolerance.
6. Allergic rash, urticaria;
7. Itching (with external use of chamomile extract or oils).
Legends about chamomile
Centuries ago, people believed that these beautiful flowers would grow in the places where the bright fiery stars fall. The ancients believed that chamomile was a symbol of the sun and its great power and energy. They thought that this plant was like a little mini sun and that is why it was often used in magical rituals. Often young girls have even guessed at the leaves of this flower, which are always a different number, namely even or odd.
There is also a beautiful legend that these little beautiful flowers were umbrellas of mystical and fabulous little creatures. The most beautiful, however, is the legend of the origin of this flower. It tells the story of two lovers who could not live without each other. One day the boy has a dream with a mystical meadow, which was covered with beautiful little flowers. Waking up from this dream, he contemplates one of these flowers on his pillow. Then he decides to take it and give it to his beloved.
The girl is amazed by its beauty and begs her lover to find more such colors so that all lovers can touch him and his magical power. He agrees and starts looking for chamomile colors everywhere. One day he falls into the realm of dreams and it is there that he finds a huge meadow of camomile. The ruler of this kingdom sets the condition for the young man that he can keep the bouquet of chamomile, but in return he will have to stay forever in this kingdom. The young man in love loved his beloved so much that he agreed to the condition of the ruler of the realm of dreams.
Decoctions of chamomile
Chamomile extract is obtained cold. For him 10 tsp. herb is flooded with 500 ml of cold water. After 8 hours strain. Drink this amount for 1-2 days. Chamomile infusion is applied internally and externally. Pour 2-3 tbsp. chamomile with 250 ml of boiling water, leave in a closed container for 1 hour. The tea is drunk twice.
Chamomile oil has been used for rubbing in neuralgia and rheumatism in the joints since ancient times. The Egyptians once considered the glowing flowers of chamomile to be the flower of the sun god. It has the ability to reduce the temperature and cool in the heat. Among the healing recipes in the old books are those that explain that chamomile oil eliminates limb fatigue. Chamomile tea compress, applied to a diseased bladder, relieves pain.
See more healing recipes with chamomile.
