Chamomile

Chamomile is a native of the old World and is a member of the daisy family (Asteraceae or Compositae). Chamomile is one of the most ancient medicinal herbs known to mankind. It is a member of Asteraceae/Compositae family and represented by two common varieties. German Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) and Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). It is an herb that is native to Europe, Africa, and Asia, and is now also grown in North America.

Chamomile can grow up to 2 feet tall.

With chamomile, you can flavor jams, candies and ice cream, or you could add it to liqueurs like vermouth. There are tasty recipes like risotto, fish salad, soft breakfast cakes, sweet creams or biscuits you could make – all flavored with chamomile. And with their small shape and elegant simplicity, fresh chamomile flowers are perfect even as a decoration for many dishes – both sweet and savory.

The dried flowers of chamomile contain many terpenoids and flavonoids contributing to its medicinal properties. Chamomile preparations are commonly used for many human ailments such as hay fever, inflammation, muscle spasms, menstrual disorders, insomnia, ulcers, wounds, gastrointestinal disorders, rheumatic pain, and hemorrhoids. Essential oils of chamomile are used extensively in cosmetics and aromatherapy.

Medicinal uses

• Chamomile’s anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, sedative, and anti-anxiety properties might help relieve anxiety and discomfort due to premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
• Chamomile tea can lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. Chamomile might improve glycemic and lipid profiles and oxidative stress levels in people with diabetes mellitus and reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications.
• The antioxidant effects of the flavonoids in chamomile could help prevent osteoporosis (progressive loss of bone density) by reducing oxidative stress.
• Chamomile tea contains compounds that may reduceTrusted Source inflammation. Long-term inflammation is linked to various health problems, including hemorrhoids, gastrointestinal pain, arthritis, autoimmune disorders, obesity, and depression.
• chamomile tea may target cancer cells or even prevent those cells from developing in the first place. Compounds in chamomile may help prevent the growth of glioma, liver cancer, cervical cancer, and leukemia.
• Chamomile tea may help people relax and fall a sleep.
• Inhaling steam with chamomile extract can relieve some of the symptoms of the common cold.
• Topical products containing chamomile may help treat acne, repair sensitive skin and reduce skin dehydration. This could be due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, and antimicrobial properties. While chamomile tea may reduce inflammation, cosmetic options include lotions and soaps. However, people should do a patch test before using on a wider area to check first for adverse effects.

Precautions

• It can cause drowsiness and, in large doses, vomiting. It also has the potential to trigger allergic reactions in people who are allergic to related plants in the daisy family, although such reactions are very rare. Avoid it if you are allergic to these plants: chamomile, ragweed, daisies, marigolds, or chrysanthemums. Skin creams with chamomile can cause allergic eczema and irritate the eyes.

Interactions

• Blood thinning medications (anticoagulants and antiplatelets): Chamomile may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with blood-thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), and aspirin.
• Sedatives: Chamomile can make these drugs stronger, including anti-seizure drugs, such as phenytoin (Dilantin) and valproic acid (Depakote); barbiturates; benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium); drugs to treat insomnia, such as zolpidem (Ambien), zaleplon (Sonata), eszopiclone (Lunesta), and ramelteon (Rozerem); tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline (Elavil) and alcohol. The same is true of sedative herbs, such as valerian, kava, and catnip.
• Blood pressure medications: Chamomile may lower blood pressure slightly. Taking it with drugs for high blood pressure could cause blood pressure to drop too low.
• Diabetes medications: Chamomile may lower blood sugar. Taking it with diabetes drugs could raise the risk of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.
• Other drugs: Because chamomile is broken down by the liver, it may interact with other drugs that are broken down the same way. Those drugs may include Fexofenadine (Seldane); statins (drugs that lower cholesterol); birth control pills and some antifungal drugs.