Herb Notes: The Benefits of Chamomile
As one of the most popular herbal teas in the world, this calming herb has managed to find a special place in many of our hearts — and our supermarkets! Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is a gentle herb that is most well known for soothing our nerves, but its gifts go far beyond nervous system support. Chamomile has many benefits!
Want to learn more about the gifts of chamomile?
Let’s dive into three key health benefits of chamomile flowers…
1. Chamomile for Digestive Support
With its mildly bitter, aromatic taste, chamomile can soothe a mild stomach ache and ease gas and bloating. The bitter quality of chamomile also helps increase digestive secretions in the digestive tract, which supports overall healthier digestion.
To enjoy the digestive benefits of chamomile, I tend to opt for a few different preparations of chamomile: chamomile tea, chamomile tincture, and chamomile glycerite. Teas tend to be particularly helpful for digestive issues since they bathe the tissues of our digestive tract. Tinctures are helpful because they’re often the most fast-acting, and glycerites offer a fast-acting alcohol-free option. If I’m preparing myself a cup of chamomile tea for digestive support, I often pair it with peppermint and a pinch of cinnamon powder.
2. Chamomile for Skincare
Though chamomile is most well-known as an internally ingested tea, there are many external preparations of chamomile that can be prepared to support radiant skin health. Chamomile has mild antimicrobial properties and anti-inflammatory properties that can help address a variety of mild skin conditions. I find chamomile particularly helpful for itchy, dry, or red skin issues like a mild sunburn, eczema, bug bites, or acne.
I like to wash my face with chamomile tea and use an infused oil of chamomile or body butter to nourish my skin. Chamomile works particularly well for my skin when it’s dry or when I’m experiencing mild skin irritation.
Some other external applications of chamomile could include a chamomile-infused lotion, massage oil, poultice, or compress.
3. Chamomile for Calming the Nervous System
Chamomile is a mild sedative and nervine. These mild sedative properties allow chamomile to help support restful sleep. The nervine properties of chamomile can help reduce stress and promote a greater sense of calm and relaxation.
To enjoy the calming effects of chamomile, I like to gently massage my neck and shoulders with a chamomile oil (this is an infused oil of chamomile). I also like to sip on chamomile tea and enjoy it in a tincture blend with hawthorn and rose.
A few frequently asked questions about chamomile…
Does chamomile actually make you feel sleepy?
The mild sedative effects of chamomile can indeed make you feel sleepy. Everyone has different levels of sensitivity to herbs, and I know for my own body that I am very affected by chamomile’s calming properties.
What are the types of chamomile used?
The type of chamomile plant I’m referring to in this article is German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), which has many medicinal properties.
What plant family is chamomile in?
German chamomile is in the Asteraceae or daisy family. If you are allergic to other plants in the Asteraceae family, then avoid working with chamomile.
What are the herbal actions of chamomile?
Herbal actions are the words herbalists use to describe the medicinal properties of an herb. Some of the herbal actions of chamomile include: relaxing nervine, carminative, relaxing diaphoretic, mild sedative, antispasmodic, and vulnerary.
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