Chamomile, whose botanical name is Matricaria recutita, is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants.
Occurrence and cultivation of chamomile
In the vernacular, chamomile is also popularly called motherwort or sorrow flower.
Originally, chamomile, whose stems can grow up to 80 centimeters high, grew only in southern Europe. In the meantime, however, chamomile can be found almost everywhere in Europe.
In North America and on the Australian continent, however, chamomile also grows primarily in barren locations. In Germany, it grows unhindered along roadsides and in fields, and farmers like to call it an “evil weed” because it is almost impossible to eradicate. Flowering time of chamomile are the months of May and June.
The flower of chamomile is characteristically white – if you rub the petals lightly against each other, an aromatic fragrance develops.
In the vernacular, chamomile is also popularly called motherwort or sorrow flower.
Effect and application
For thousands of years, chamomile has been used as a medicinal plant. The ancient Egyptians called this “flower of the sun god” and the Greeks and Romans also appreciated the positive properties of chamomile. Today, the healing properties of chamomile are medically proven.
Mainly chamomile was used in gynecology. Already in the Middle Ages it helped women in childbed – until today nothing has changed in the beneficial effect of chamomile on complaints related to the female cycle.
Today, especially the essential oil, which is extracted from the flowers of chamomile, is popular. The active ingredients matricin and alpha-bisabolol contained in this oil are of particular importance for health. In some medicines, however, the roots are also used. The flowers of chamomile contain valuable flavonoids, coumarins and mucilage.
Of course, chamomile also tastes very good as a tea, and is then also popular for stomach and intestinal disorders. The preparation of chamomile tea is very simple: for one cup, three grams of chamomile are brewed with boiling water.
It is not necessary to buy medical preparations, but you can also pick the flowers of chamomile yourself and finally dry them in an airy and shady place. The best time to pick the flowers of chamomile is three to five days after flowering.
Importance for health
The essential oil of chamomile has numerous beneficial properties. Among other things, this acts both anti-inflammatory and also an antispasmodic property is attributed to it.
In addition, the essential oil of chamomile is successfully used for stomach and intestinal complaints. Especially for bloating and heartburn, this is used with pleasure. However, chamomile can also be used for diarrhea and nausea.
What many people do not know: chamomile can also be used for inhalation – this works especially well for colds and respiratory diseases.
Chamomile can be used very well for all skin inflammations. Whether for gum inflammation, inflammation in the genital or anal area, or even sunburn – chamomile is a true all-rounder.
Baths and compresses are then particularly suitable. Only in the area of the eyes should chamomile be used with caution, as conjunctivitis could develop here.
A few patients also react allergically to chamomile. However, this is rather the exceptional case – most patients tolerate chamomile very well.