October 30, 2006
Chamomile Flower Calms the Mind and Stomach
The chamomile flower has been used as a therapeutic herb to treat various ailments of the human body for centuries. Its medicinal properties, ranging from being a relaxing agent to an anti-inflammatory balm, have been noted since time immemorial. The white flower can be used in teas, baths, foods and medicines, while the oil tincture has been blended in massage oils, compresses, and various cosmetics.
Chamomile is a cheaper, less expensive way to treat minor ailments of the stomach, and can be beneficial for both the lungs and other internal organs. Homeopathic remedies are becoming increasingly popular amongst the general population in both the US and Europe, and the chamomile flower is being heralded as a “gentler” alternative to strong over-the-counter drugs or prescription medicines. And unlike other drugs that carry warning labels, there are little known side effects resulting from people ever having taken chamomile.
In addition to benefiting the body, chamomile can also help ease the mind. Whether taken as a tea infusion or in a bath, the chamomile flower has been known to help rid sleeplessness and anxiety, pre-menstrual symptoms, and mood changes resulting from withdrawal from addictions, such as smoking. Gentle on the skin and scalp, it can be used to treat wet and dry eczema in face washes and creams, and added to shampoo as a brightening agent for blond hair.
Though the USDA has been careful to approve homeopathic remedies in place of more traditional synthetic drugs, people are taking a greater interest in what the small white flower has to offer. Scientists are discovering its multi-faceted uses as anti-fungal and antiseptic, and in treatments of gastro-intestinal disorders, such as stomach ulcers. More and more, the chamomile flower is earning a well-deserved reputation as being a “miracle” plant that is a cheaper, more natural remedy for common health problems.
Therapeutic herbs, such as chamomile, are no longer relegated to specialist health food stores. Available in the Roman and German varieties, the chamomile flower is a highly prized commodity in Europe and elsewhere abroad. With its distinct smell and flavour, people are noting its broadly beneficial properties and are pushing for greater stocks in retailers across the US.
The English and the Egyptians have been noted to use the chamomile flower for its medicinal properties, and it is refreshing that modern drug companies are now manufacturing the chamomile flower for mass consumption. If chamomile continues to gain pace as a wonder drug, along with other natural medicines, it may not be too far into the future before synthetic drugs become a thing of the past.
Tags: chamomile, herbal, chamomile tea, chamomile flower, herbal remedy
