Herbs have been used since ancient times to heal people and they are still being used to this day. This is surely a testament to their amazing healing properties and high-density nutritive value.
Nature provides us with an abundance of wonderful medicinal herbs and chamomile is one of them. Chamomile has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antioxidant, anti-spasmodic, sedative/calming properties, and is loaded with minerals: magnesium, iron, iodine, zinc, calcium, potassium and manganese, to name a few.
An infusion of chamomile can be used to help many things such as:
Digestive disorders - it helps relieve stomach cramping, flatulence, gastritis, dyspepsia, diarrhoea (particularly in infants), candida albicans overgrowth in the gastro-intestinal tract, and digestive issues induced by nervousness or irritability. Chamomile increases the liver's production of bile, improving elimination of toxins from the body, and the digestion of fats and subsequent assimilation of fat-soluble nutrients.
Childhood complaints - great for infants that are teething or have colic. It can help with nappy rash internally and externally and it has a calming effect on irritable or hyperactive children.
Improves respiratory function and is good for allergic asthma.
Cardiovascular disease - its antioxidant properties inhibit lipid peroxidation which is a significant contributing factor in CVD.
Stress - its calming properties help reduce stress which is a key instigator of many illnesses. It also helps in alleviating stress-induced insomnia.
Female complaints - it is good for dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, morning sickness, and menopausal symptoms.
Skin disorders - external application can help eczema, dermatitis, nappy rash, healing of wounds, burns and sunburn/windburn.
Oral issues - its antimicrobial and healing properties make it beneficial for gingivitis and mouth ulcers.
The hair - use as a hair rinse to lighten and condition fair hair.
Good companion plant for ailing plants or a chamomile infusion can be sprayed on sick plants.