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Chamomile SLEEP WELL WITH THE HELP OF THE EARTH APPLE By Tanya Tyler, Editor Health&Wellness Have you ever suffered through a bout of insomnia and had someone tell you to try drinking a cup of chamomile tea to help you sleep? Chamomile is a daisy-like plant often employed in herbal medicine. Over the centuries as people have used it, chamomile has been touted to treat a wide range of ailments, from hay fever to menstrual cramps to ulcers, hemorrhoids and, of course, insomnia. Your shower gel, shampoo or skincare lotion may contain chamomile, which is said to treat conditions such as sunburn, eczema and psoriasis. It may speed the healing of skin ulcers, wounds or burns. Two types of chamomile, Roman and German, are most frequently used in these types of applications. Chamomile is said to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and disinfectant properties. The plant’s flowers contain volatile oils such as bisabolol and matricin as well as flavonoids and other therapeutic ingredients. Once you’ve drunk your tea, use the teabag to help soothe your eyes. The Flower Expert (www.theflowerexpert. com) says chamomile is probably the most widely used relaxing herb in the Western world. It’s native in many European countries and is cultivated in Germany, Egypt, France, Spain, Italy, Morocco and parts of Eastern Europe. This “earth apple” is available as dried flower heads or as a liquid extract as well as tea. It’s called earth apple because the flowers have a scent reminiscent of apples. Its Spanish name, Manzanilla, means “little apple.” According to Mountain Rose Herbs (wwwmountainroseherbs.com), chamomile was revered in ancient Egypt for its healing prop-
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erties and was also used as an offering to the gods. In Europe, chamomile has been utilized as a panacea for digestive health. Herb Wisdom (www.herbwisdom.com) says chamomile gained popularity during the Middle Ages, when people began using it as a remedy for numerous medical complaints, including asthma, colic, fevers, inflammation, nausea, skin diseases and cancer. Native Americans have used chamomile and related species since their introduction to the Americas. Cherokee people drank the tea to promote regularity and the Kutenai and Cheyenne tribes made jewelry and perfume out of the dried flowers. Folklore says chamomile has magical properties that attract money. Over the past 20 years, research has confirmed many of the traditional therapeutic claims for chamomile using pharmacological methods. This research showed chamomile does have antipeptic, antispasmodic, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-allergenic capabilities. Chamomile is now included in the pharmacopoeia of 26 countries.
More recent research identified chamomile’s prowess as an anti-inflammatory and as a muscle relaxant with sedative properties. Animal studies show chamomile contains substances that act on the same parts of the brain and nervous system as anti-anxiety drugs. Are there any precautions against using chamomile? The National Institutes of Health says pregnant women should not consume chamomile because it can trigger uterine contractions that may cause miscarriage. Also, if you are allergic to ragweed pollen, chamomile preparations may cause you to have an allergic reaction. Chamomile may interfere with blood thinners. Before trying any herbal supplement, be sure to talk to your primary care physician. Sources and Resources
• Herb Wisdom (www.herbwisdom.com) • Mountain Rose Herbs (wwwmountainroseherbs.com) • The Flower Expert (www.theflowerexpert.com)
Chamomile is probably the most widely used relaxing herb in the Western world.
