Chamomile: useful properties and contraindications, how to brew

The benefits and harms of chamomile are an interesting question - the plant is very popular in folk medicine. To figure out how to use chamomile correctly, you need to study its composition and basic properties.

The chemical composition of chamomile

The medicinal properties of chamomile are widely known - infusions and teas from this plant help to cope with the symptoms of many diseases. The valuable qualities of chamomile are determined by its rich composition, which contains:

• vitamin C;
• carotene;
• trace elements selenium, copper, zinc and potassium;
• organic acids - salicylic, caprylic, isovaleric;
• matricin substance;
• flavonoids and gum;
• nicotinic acid and quercitin;

It also contains tannins and polysaccharides.

Why is chamomile useful for the body

The benefits of chamomile for the human body are very diverse. Plant based medicines:

• have a powerful calming effect and help to cope with stress and anxiety;
• improve heart rate and protect the heart from the development of dangerous diseases;
• improve blood circulation and stimulate good brain activity;
• have a positive effect on digestion - soothe inflammation, reduce gas formation, promote healing of mucous membranes;
• normalize sleep and improve performance;
• eliminate allergy symptoms;
• strengthen blood vessels and prevent the development of atherosclerosis.

The plant can serve as a good natural pain reliever - its beneficial properties relax smooth muscles and relieve spasms.

What chamomile helps with

The beneficial properties of chamomile tea bags are especially in demand for the following ailments:

• for skin diseases and inflammations, wounds and burns;
• with diseases of the gallbladder and urinary system;
• with inflammatory ailments of internal organs;
• with gastritis;
• with asthma, cold cough and other ailments of the respiratory system;
• with insomnia and anxiety;
• with migraines and toothache.

The beneficial properties of chamomile flowers include the fact that this plant is not addictive and rarely provokes allergies. The plant can be used for a long time - up to 3 months.

Does chamomile help you lose weight?

The benefits of chamomile for a woman's body are manifested in the fact that the plant is highly recommended for use on a diet. Chamomile has a diuretic and mild laxative effect, which means it helps to get rid of toxins faster and helps to normalize metabolism.A beneficial plant speeds up the digestive processes, so food stops being deposited in adipose tissue - this helps to maintain a slim figure.

Chamomile-based traditional medicine recipes

The main area of ​​application of the medicinal properties of pharmacy chamomile is traditional medicine. There are dozens of recipes based on this useful plant - for many ailments, it is it that allows you to quickly improve your well-being and not cause additional harm to your health.

Chamomile decoction

The chamomile decoction inside is of great benefit. The remedy is prepared very simply - 2 large tablespoons of dried flowers are poured into 100 ml of water and kept in a water bath for about half an hour. Then the drink must be filtered through cheesecloth and taken several sips three times a day.

Since the broth turns out to be quite concentrated, it can be diluted with water before use. Drinking a decoction of chamomile is useful for gastritis and ulcers, for inflammatory processes in the intestines and poor appetite. The benefits of chamomile broth are manifested in heartburn and nausea - the properties of this remedy almost instantly relieve unpleasant symptoms.

Camomile tea

Benefits for the intestines of chamomile infusion. In addition, the remedy is used for inflammation of the gallbladder and gastritis with low acidity, for colds and gynecological diseases.

To prepare the infusion, you must:

• take a couple of large spoons of chamomile flowers and pour boiling water;
• cover the vessel with flowers and leave for about an hour;
• pass through cheesecloth to strain.

You need to drink a useful remedy just before a meal, use chamomile is permissible up to 3 times a day.

The benefits and harms of chamomile infusion show good effectiveness in treating neuroses - you can use the plant under any stress.

Chamomile tea

With many ailments, the beneficial properties of chamomile tea are manifested, and the easiest way to prepare such a medicinal drink is. A small spoonful of raw materials is poured with a glass of hot water and infused for 10 minutes, and then they are drunk three times a day - just like that or with honey.

Benefit from chamomile flowers in tea for insomnia and depression, for colds and gastritis. The plant has a strengthening effect on the body, so it can be taken simply for prevention.

Chamomile tincture

Drinking chamomile is useful in the form of a strong alcoholic infusion, although the dosages should be very small. To prepare a useful tincture, you need to pour a handful of dried flowers with 500 ml of vodka, close it in a glass vessel and put it in a dark place for a week.

The finished tincture is passed through cheesecloth, then again topped up with vodka to the original volume and the product is removed to infuse for another week. The medicinal tincture should be nearly transparent. You can take it for colds and stomach ailments, to strengthen the immune system and treat gynecological diseases. A single dosage should be no more than a teaspoon, otherwise the product will be harmful.

Chamomile baths

For fatigue and cramps in the legs, skin ailments and nervous disorders, chamomile baths are of great benefit. It is necessary to prepare a simple decoction of the plant - boil 500 g of raw materials in 2 liters of water for about 10 minutes, and then pour the product into a filled container. You need to take a bath for 20-30 minutes, in total it is recommended to carry out 7 procedures at intervals every other day.

Douching with chamomile

The properties of chamomile in gynecology are of great benefit; for ailments of the reproductive sphere, douching with medicinal infusion helps well. A small spoonful of dried flowers must be poured with a glass of hot water and kept for half an hour under the lid. Then the infusion is filtered, collected in a syringe and the procedure is carried out.

The benefits of washing with chamomile and douching will manifest itself with thrush, uterine erosion, cystitis and other ailments. Douching is best done in the evening; in total, 6-8 daily procedures are recommended.

Chamomile tampons

The medicinal properties of chamomile for women with gynecological inflammation are used with the use of tampons. For treatment in the same way, you will need an infusion of the plant - 20 g of flowers should be poured with a liter of hot water and insisted in a closed thermos for a day.

An ordinary tampon is dipped into the finished product and injected into the body for the whole night, and removed in the morning. It is recommended to repeat the procedure for 10 days.

Chamomile cream

Chamomile cream is a good remedy for flaking, skin irritation, cracks and excessive dryness. You can cook it at home, and the recipe looks like this:

• Steam 50 g of butter and 3 large tablespoons of olive oil;
• add 2 yolks, 2 large spoons of honey, 30 ml of camphor alcohol and a small spoonful of glycerin;
• mix the components with 50 ml of chamomile infusion.

Home cream is used in the same way as any other - in the morning or at night it must be rubbed into the skin until it is completely absorbed.

How to use chamomile to treat certain diseases

For the treatment of individual ailments, traditional medicine offers proven recipes. If you follow them, then getting rid of unpleasant symptoms will happen rather quickly.

Collection with chamomile for colds

With acute respiratory viral infections and influenza, inhalation with an infusion of the plant helps well. Pour boiling water over a couple of large spoons of flowers, leave for half an hour, and then add another liter of hot water and breathe the steam rising above the pan for a few minutes.

If your throat hurts, there will be no harm from gargling with chamomile, it will relieve inflammation. Brew in boiling water only 1 large spoonful of raw materials, hold for a quarter of an hour in a water bath, then strain and add water to the original volume. You can rinse up to 7 times a day.

Herbal collection for cardiac arrhythmias

The benefits and harms of chamomile for the body are in demand in case of heart rhythm failures. It is recommended to prepare a multi-component healing collection - take equal amounts of chamomile, mint, cumin and valerian root, pour 1 large spoonful of the collection with boiling water and stand for a quarter of an hour.

The filtered remedy is taken orally in the volume of a glass, chamomile will be especially beneficial at night.

With gastritis and stomach ulcers

The benefits of chamomile for the stomach are great, it helps with gastritis and ulcers, relieves pain and promotes healing of mucous membranes, and normalizes the production of gastric juice. It is not difficult to prepare a remedy:

• a large spoonful of flowers is poured with a glass of hot water;
• insist 10 minutes and filter;
• take twice a day for a month.

It is best to drink the drug in the morning on an empty stomach, and in the evening you need to take the infusion a couple of hours after dinner.

Chamomile for constipation

The benefits and harms of pharmacy chamomile are in demand for constipation. Pour a couple of large spoons of the plant with 500 ml of hot water, boil over low heat for 8 minutes, and then cool and filter.

You need to drink the product in half a glass, morning and evening on an empty stomach. To enhance the beneficial properties of the infusion, you can add a little honey.

Chamomile for toothache

The benefits of chamomile in sachets will be for gum disease and toothache. It is recommended to brew 1 packet together with a large spoonful of dry sage in a glass of boiling water, hold it under the lid for a quarter of an hour, and then strain.

With the finished product, you need to rinse your mouth several times a day, keeping the warm infusion in your mouth as long as possible.

Chamomile eye treatment

The properties of the plant relieve eye fatigue well and help with inflammation of the eyelids or conjunctivitis.A large spoonful of raw materials must be brewed in boiling water for 10 minutes, then strain, and then soak cotton pads in warm chamomile tea and put them over your eyes.

You need to keep the lotions for about a quarter of an hour, it is better to carry out the procedure before bedtime, so as not to overwork your eyes with reading or watching movies.

Chamomile for prostatitis

The benefits of chamomile for men are manifested in diseases of the prostate gland. The antiseptic properties of the plant help to quickly cope with inflammation - usually a healing infusion is used for treatment. A large spoonful of raw materials must be brewed with boiling water for half an hour, and then take half a glass three times a day.

Another treatment option is chamomile enemas with the same infusion. It is recommended to carry out the procedure after cleansing the intestines; no more than 100 ml of infusion should be injected into the rectum.

Features of the use of chamomile

The health benefits and harms of chamomile are not always the same. In order not to accidentally cause harm to the body, you need to know how the plant is taken under special conditions of the body and in childhood.

During pregnancy

During the period of bearing a child, a plant can bring both benefits and harm - it all depends on the individual characteristics of the woman and the amount of use. In a normal pregnancy, chamomile tea is more likely to be beneficial, it will calm the nerves and help to improve digestion. But at the slightest threat of miscarriage, a useful plant must be abandoned, it increases the production of the hormone estrogen, and this can cause harm.

When breastfeeding

During lactation, a beneficial plant increases milk production, protects against colds and helps to cope with inflammation. But you need to apply the plant inside in small dosages, in low concentration and no more than 2 weeks in a row. If the baby shows allergy symptoms, the chamomile from the first-aid kit will need to be temporarily removed, it will only harm.

As for external use, nursing mothers are allowed to douch, wash and gargle with infusions of a useful plant.

For children

A decoction of chamomile inside is beneficial for children, the plant strengthens the immune system, helps with stomach disorders or sleep disorders. It is possible to offer weak decoctions and teas to a child from 1 year of age, while the remedy must be diluted with water.

It is possible to use weak infusions and decoctions of the plant for external rubdowns from the first months of life. Chamomile will be especially useful if you are prone to skin irritations.

The use of chamomile in cosmetology

The healing properties of chamomile are used not only by medicine, but also by home cosmetology. The plant has a whitening and soothing effect on the skin, strengthens hair and helps to prolong youth.

For freckles

The benefit of chamomile decoction for the face is that the plant helps to get rid of freckles. The recipe looks like this:

• 20 g of dry flowers are poured with boiling water;
• insist half an hour and filter;
• mixed with 500 ml of curdled milk and fresh juice of 2 lemons;
• apply the composition to a gauze napkin and apply a mask to the face for an hour.

After washing off the mask, the skin should be treated with a nourishing cream. To avoid harm, the procedure is not carried out every day, but three times a week.

For acne

The anti-inflammatory properties of the plant are good for acne and blackheads. The following recipe brings benefits:

• 2 large spoons of chamomile flowers are mixed with 1 spoon of dried celandine;
• pour a liter of boiling water;
• insist 12 hours.

It is recommended to wipe the skin with a strong herbal infusion at least 5 times a day, until the result appears.

With redness of the face

Chamomile wash is useful for skin prone to irritation. In addition to simple washing with decoctions and teas, such a remedy gives a good effect:

• a large spoonful of useful raw materials is poured with boiling water and insisted for about an hour;
• then filter and add a large spoonful of honey;
• mix and moisten gauze napkins in a solution.

For half an hour, the mask must be kept on the face, periodically changing as it dries.

From dry and brittle hair

The benefit of chamomile decoction for hair is that the plant nourishes the strands, makes them stronger and more obedient, normalizes the oily scalp and eliminates excessive dryness. In home cosmetology, rinsing with chamomile for hair is used, you can also make a useful mask:

• boil 4 large spoons of dry raw materials with boiling water;
• stand under the lid for half an hour and strain;
• mix with egg yolk and distribute through hair for half an hour.

You need to repeat the procedure twice a week for a month, then the effect will be long-term.

Properties and uses of chamomile oil

The essential oil of a useful plant is very popular in cosmetology and medicine.

• Light ether with a pleasant smell is often used to scent rooms - only 3-5 drops of oil need to be added to an aroma lamp, an unobtrusive aroma will help to cope with anxiety and normalize sleep.
• Chamomile oil is also used inside - with gastritis, menopause, weakened immunity, you can add a couple of drops of ether to a spoonful of honey and use it twice a day.
• The essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can be used to treat inflammations, wounds and insect bites. However, the skin is lubricated pointwise - only on a small problem area.

Chamomile harm and contraindications

The valuable properties of the plant can be detrimental for some ailments. You should refuse to use:

• with plant allergy;
• with chronic kidney disease;
• with diarrhea;
• with exacerbation of stomach ulcers;
• with severe mental illness.

A beneficial plant is not recommended to be consumed in too large quantities - this can lead to side effects. An overdose of the plant is manifested by nausea and vomiting, increased pressure, with allergies, bronchospasm or Quincke's edema may occur.

Collection and storage of chamomile

It is necessary to collect chamomile in clean fields located far from major roads and industrial facilities. Harvesting is carried out from June to August on dry sunny days, and you can cut not only the flowers of the plant, but also the stems, they are also suitable for external use.

After harvesting, the plant is dried in the fresh air, spreading it in a thin layer on a flat surface. You need to store the flowers in a dry place in paper bags, and the raw materials retain their beneficial properties for up to a year. Chamomile has a rather strong aroma, so it is best to keep it away from other foods.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of chamomile depend mainly on whether there is an allergy to the plant. In the absence of intolerance, medicinal flowers will be beneficial for many ailments and will be especially valuable for gastric and nervous disorders.

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