In medicine since ancient times, infusion or chamomile tea has been actively used. Today, the plant is finding new uses. In this article, we will look at the benefits and harms of chamomile tea, and everything you need to know about this medicinal flower.
Where chamomile lives
A seemingly simple flower was used by both Avicenna and Hippocrates in their practice. Hundreds of years have passed, and chamomile, as before, occupies the first place of honor in naturopathy. Despite the fact that this botanical genus is quite extensive, only 2 types of plants are used for medicinal purposes:
- Roman chamomile - found in Argentina, North America and Europe. This perennial plant has a strong odor. It is widely used for the production of aromatic oil and decorative purposes.
- Pharmacy chamomile is an annual, most common plant. It grows on all continents in temperate climates.
Plant composition
Infusion and decoction of chamomile, the benefits and harms of which are described in detail in this article, contains an incredible amount of nutrients. Among the most healing:
- Bisabolol, whichrelieves inflammation, skin irritation, and also has antimicrobial properties. Studies have shown that it can also relieve symptoms of leukemia. Bisabolol, when taken orally, reduces the production of pepsin, while this occurs without entering the synthesis of other components of gastric juice.
- Apigenin actively helps the functioning of the nervous system, fights against various inflammatory processes, stimulates the synthesis of neurons. There is evidence that apigenin also stops the development of cancer. Interestingly, apigenin is completely non-toxic to the body when consumed even in large doses.
- Flavonoids are unique natural antioxidants, antiviral and antimicrobial agents.
- Camazulen is an antiseptic found in chamomile, yarrow and wormwood.
- Coumarin - reduces blood clotting, promotes the excretion of excess uric acid through the urine and relieves asthma symptoms.
- Sesquiterpenes are anthelmintic substances contained in chamomile.
Benefits and harms: useful properties
The main medicinal properties of this plant include:
- Anspasmodic and antidiarrheal: the substances that make up the plant allow you to cope with pathogenic microflora, and also eliminate spasms of the intestinal muscles.
- Anti-Inflammatory: Chamomile remedies can stop infections in a blink of an eye. At the same time, the external use of a medicinal plant will help well with abscesses, badhealing wounds, gum disease, eczema and rashes.
- Anti-cancer: Studies have shown that chamomile can destroy cancer cells without adversely affecting the functioning of the body.
- Soothing: the plant affects the receptors that are responsible for the processes of inhibition occurring in the nervous system, and also harmonizes signal transmission between neurons. At the same time, the flower is not addictive.
- Anti-sclerotic: a common-looking plant significantly lowers blood cholesterol levels, which is very important for various heart diseases.
- Anticoagulant: the flower inhibits coagulation, it is useful for thrombosis, as well as related conditions.
Contraindications
Chamomile infusion, the benefits and harms of which have been known to mankind for many years, has a number of contraindications. Many understand that disadvantages are a direct continuation of advantages. So, no matter how chamomile is healing for he alth, its use must be completely excluded or limited under the following conditions:
- Allergy to ragweed. It is worth noting that ragweed and chamomile belong to a common botanical family, while intolerance to one remedy can lead to an allergy to the second. In the event that ragweed pollen makes you choke and sneeze, start using chamomile preparations in small doses and monitor for any negative effects.
- Chamomile activates the action of all anticoagulants - whentheir reception must take this into account.
- Breastfeeding – Until now, the effect of chamomile on lactation has been poorly studied.
- If you are going to have surgery soon, you should stop taking chamomile preparations a couple of weeks before it. This will help you avoid bleeding that can result from poor coagulation.
- When using chamomile, sedatives and anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs to normalize heart rhythm and blood pressure are more intense, which requires mandatory dose adjustment - thanks to this, you can avoid drowsiness, hypotension and apathy.
We note right away that today it is not known what will happen if you take a long term (more than a month) chamomile infusion. The benefits and harms for men have also not been accurately studied, but it can be said for sure that using the remedy for more than 4 weeks can cause irritability, fatigue and weakness, it is better not to check these risks on your own body.
Chamomile infusion
What else is interesting about chamomile? Harm and benefit (the use of chamomile infusion can cause both) are determined by its composition, method of use and the presence of contraindications. When using funds based on it, be sure to first study all the recommendations.
Flower preparations exist in various forms, the most popular being chamomile infusion. Its benefits and harms to the human body are best studied today, whiletakes a few minutes to cook.
Below we will describe the most common indications for the use of this infusion, methods of preparation and doses.
Infusion for children
A light infusion of chamomile treats colic in young children. Pour a teaspoon of the dried material with a glass of boiling water, close the vessel with a lid and remove for half an hour. We filter the resulting product, and dilute the infusion with water - it will become pale yellow. We give the baby a drink every time after eating: drinking will eliminate bloating and fermentation in the intestines.
Regular infusion
To prepare such an infusion of chamomile, the benefits and harms of which are described in this article, you need to follow the same recipe as the drink above, but at the same time, 2 teaspoons of the material are immediately taken into a glass of hot water and insisted in a thermos or sealed container 2-3 hours.
Treatment of internal diseases
Infusion of normal concentration use:
- For prolonged periods, menstrual cramps: 100 ml 4 times a day.
- For flatulence, indigestion, spasms, colic - 70 ml the same number of times.
- 100 ml of this infusion is drunk once at night - this helps to fall asleep soon. Such a harmless remedy for the nervous system can be used if you want to have a good rest before a difficult day.
- With a runny nose, stomatitis, inflammatory acute pathology of the respiratory tract, rinse your mouth with a glass of this infusion - at least 4 times a day.
- For vulvitis, colpitis and thrush, douching can be usefulinfusion diluted with water (1:1). Usually a liter of water is used for the procedure.
- Athletes, especially people involved in the gym, will also benefit from chamomile infusion. The benefits and harms for men in this case are obvious from him - warm compresses with a wrapping agent will be effective for bruises or sprains, although they will help only from the 2nd day after the injury.
- The infusion can also be used for conjunctivitis as an eyewash.
- Cleansing enemas with the remedy will help with intestinal problems, including hemorrhoids, as well as constipation.
Treatment of skin pathologies
With boils, acne, ulcers, chamomile infusion is also used (its benefits and harms are already known to you). A clean cotton cloth is soaked in the product and applied - like lotions - to the affected areas.
For rashes on the skin, eczema and dermatitis, use the infusion inside 60 ml three times a day. They also make baths with chamomile (by the way, they even bathe babies in them). In this case, 100 grams of material is taken per bucket of boiling water.
You can freeze the infusion of chamomile in the refrigerator. In this case, you will get an excellent cleanser in the morning. Chamomile ice rejuvenates, tones the skin, reduces inflammation in acne vulgaris, smoothes wrinkles and brightens circles under the eyes. It is worth noting that there is a contraindication for using such a remedy - rosacea.
The next effective way to deal with circles under the eyes is to cover them every day for 5 minutescotton pads soaked in chamomile extract. In the same way, you can quickly eliminate swelling of the eyes.
If the hair has become brittle, lost its shine, split and fall out, chamomile infusion should be used as a conditioner after shampoo. In this case, pour about a liter of infusion on your head and gently spread it through your hair. Further, it is advisable to avoid blow-drying, allowing the hair to dry itself.
If your feet sweat a lot, dip them in a bowl of infusion before going to bed. The effect will help enhance the oak bark (use with chamomile in equal proportions). Daily half-hour baths can remove the fungus, heal minor injuries on the fingers and feet from a poorly done pedicure, and restore skin tone.
Features of a strong decoction
In case of severe skin diseases, the normal strength of the infusion may not be enough: you need a decoction of chamomile. To do this, 4 tablespoons of the material are poured with a liter of hot water, put on fire, the liquid is brought to a boil again, and then left for 10 minutes on the stove. Allow to cool, then filter through cheesecloth. It is worth noting that it is better not to take such a decoction of chamomile inside. Its benefits and harms are explained by its too high concentration.
It is believed that decoction and infusion in the refrigerator do not retain their properties for long - up to three days. Therefore, it is better to avoid storing liquids for future use.
Oil infusion
An unusual recipe for chamomile is oil infusion (oil). An easy way to prepare it is cold.
For this we need: 1 glassraw materials and 3 cups of oil under your skin (grape seed, almond, olive, sunflower). Grass is poured with oil in a glass jar and removed to infuse for two weeks. Cool and dark is an excellent choice for infusion. Sometimes we shake the container and wait for the flowers in it to settle to the bottom.
As soon as this happens, filter the product and store for no longer than a year, using as needed - to remove makeup, in various masks, on hair for wraps, to soften chapped skin.
Chamomile: medicinal properties and contraindications of tea
Sometimes (about a couple of times a week) you can drink chamomile infusion as a tea. This drink will promote calm and relaxation, as well as strengthen the immune system, thereby helping the body to fight back against various chronic infections. Consider a few tea recipes:
- Classic tea: brew a teaspoon of raw materials in a glass of hot water, boil and let it brew for 20 minutes. Do not often take such a decoction of chamomile inside - its benefits and harms can change each other from an overabundance of this remedy in the body. Do not put sugar in herbal teas: drink it with sweet dates, honey, raisins or dried apricots.
- Chamomile-melissa tea. We mix herbs in 0.5 tablespoons and brew with a glass of boiling water. Such a drink will be useful for intestinal colic and colds.
- Mint and chamomile tea. To a spoonful of chamomile, you need to add a spoonful of mint. This drink has a sedative effect and has no side effects.negative consequences.
- The benefits and harms of chamomile tea for women are interesting. The drink below helps cleanse the body, helps to endure the feeling of hunger - this is true if you are on a weight loss diet. A set of herbs: mix 4 herbs - mint, chamomile, sweet clover and St. John's wort - in the same amount in a teaspoon, brew with water.
So we told you about a wonderful remedy - this infusion. You have learned its benefits and harms, so you can start healing right now!
