Chamomile: A Review of the Relaxing Plant

These daisy-like flowers, with their feathery leaves, are indigenous to England and western Europe, and they grow easily in dry fields and gardens. Chamomile is said to have healing powers, for when it is planted next to weak or sick plants, they get strong and grow beautifully.There are two main types of chamomile: the German type (matricaria recutita) and the roman type (anthemis nobilis). Both grow well in temperate climates.

Egyptians used chamomile to relax and for its calming effect when the situation calls for a calm and clear response or action, they also worshipped the chamomile plant and dedicated it to the sun god Ra this was due to the golden disc in the middle of its small flower, and its effective way of dealing with chills and fever.

In the roman Emperor Nero's army there was a Greek physician named Dioscorides who was also a pharmacologist a botanist, he used chamomile for gastro intestinal ailments, nervous conditions and liver disorders it was also used for female ailments and kidney stones. Sometimes it is also used to lighten or condition hair or as an anti dandruff rinse.

There are other more uncommon uses for the chamomile plant like using it as a lucky charm, to aid meditation, burning chamomile before bedtime to ward off night mares and to carry the chamomile flower in your wallet to attract money.

Traditionally it was used for a wide array of ailments like the treatment of depression, stress, teething and colic also to settle the nerves, relieve headaches, menstruation, stomach cramps and appetite loss.

In modern times chamomile is used to flavor Pharmaceutical products and in anti septic lotions, as well as a number of personal care products like mouthwash, shampoo and hair color products.

Chamomile is on the FDA list as GRASS this means it is Generally Regarded As Safe, they also regard chamomile as a beneficial an benign herb. Generally the dried flower heads are used but the chamomile also contains an Essential oil that is distilled from it.

Even though chamomile is considered benign by the FDA, the use of chamomile during pregnancy is not encouraged in fact chamomile must not be taken internally by pregnant woman at all, lactating mothers should not use chamomile internally either and avoid contact with the breast when using chamomile in a lotion or soap.

Allergic reactions have been reported by people who are allergic to ragweed and any other plant belonging to the daisy family, caution is advised.

Chamomile is also not recommended for uses in infants.

Sources:

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/chamomile/

http://www.vitaminstuff.com/herbs-chamomile.html