Chamomile is the Latin name for the family. Chamomile officinalis, its healing effect and use in folk medicine. Origin of the word "chamomile"

What is common chamomile? What are the benefits of the herb? For the treatment of what diseases is the plant used in folk medicine? We would like to consider the answers to these and other questions in our article.

Common chamomile - plant description

This herb is an annual plant. It has a persistent fragrant aroma. Common chamomile has a highly branched stem with small, alternate, pinnate leaves. Inflorescences are collected in baskets. The flowers are yellow and white. The plant bears fruit with small ribbed seeds.

Growth areas

Common chamomile, the description of which is discussed in our material, is widespread in Eurasia. You can also meet the plant in some areas of North America and the southern part of the African continent.

Common chamomile grows mainly in meadows. Occasionally found in wastelands, in gardens, along roadsides. The plant grows well in home gardens. Therefore, chamomile is often cultivated by planting mature seeds collected in the wild into the soil.

Compound

Common chamomile, the photo of which can be seen in our article, is rich in essential oils. Terpenes and flavonoids, polysaccharides, coumarins are isolated from the plant. The composition contains mineral salts, organic acids, ascorbic acid, carotene.

Procurement of raw materials

Common chamomile is cut when the leaves of the plant begin to wither and move to a horizontal position. Drying takes place under awnings. Common chamomile is laid out on a flat surface in a thin layer. In the process of harvesting, the plant should be well ventilated with fresh air and at the same time not exposed to direct sunlight. When chamomile is completely dried, it loses about 75% of its original weight.

Pulling a plant out of the soil with a root is considered barbaric. After all, next year in this place, most likely, nothing will grow. It is recommended to cut the stems with a knife under the stalk so that a high leg sticks out of the ground.

It is absolutely not recommended to collect common chamomile in places where transport runs, as well as near zoo farms, industrial enterprises, landfills. The shoots of such grass perfectly absorb harmful substances from the environment. Instead, it is better to harvest plants that grow in the forest, away from human habitation.

Pharmacological preparations based on chamomile

Common chamomile, the description of which we reviewed above, is the basis for the production of a number of medicines, such as:

"Rotokan"- The drug has a local anti-inflammatory effect. It is most often used in dentistry, where it is prescribed to patients if it is necessary to recover after a wide variety of surgical procedures.
"Rekutan"- relieves inflammation, perfectly heals all sorts of wounds. It is prescribed in order to eliminate erosion of the mucous membranes, it is used for colpitis.
"Ayurom"- It is an effective topical pain reliever. Has an anti-inflammatory effect. It is prescribed for people who suffer from radiculitis and arthritis. Prevents the formation of bedsores during forced prolonged stay in the supine position.
"Romazulon"- used for disinfecting rinses, washing damaged tissues. Eliminates inflammatory processes in the treatment of the oral cavity.
"Essential Oil of Chamomile"- an effective bactericidal agent. It is prescribed for a cold, which is accompanied by a strong cough, the development of inflammation of the respiratory tract. The remedy is also used externally in order to combat skin ailments, in particular, ulcerative manifestations.

Properties

The chemicals that make up the plant can have the following effects on the human body:

Antibacterial.
Anti-inflammatory.
Sweatshop.
Sedative.
Antihistamine.
Choleretic.
Painkiller.
Astringent.
Hemostatic.

Common chamomile: application

The use of remedies based on a medicinal plant is indicated, first of all, for colds. They take decoctions from such a herb in case of the development of influenza, tonsillitis, SARS.

The healing properties of chamomile help to eliminate the accumulation of gases in the intestines. Helps with digestive problems. The active ingredients in the composition of the plant have a positive effect on the production of gastric juices. Herbal decoctions improve appetite, help relieve inflammation from the intestinal mucosa. Chamomile acts as an excellent adsorbent, absorbing toxins and toxins. Doctors recommend resorting to the use of the remedy with the development of any discomfort in the intestines. The beneficial effect of common chamomile affects the functioning of the liver and kidneys.

The plant is used to treat muscle spasms. The remedy helps, if necessary, to relieve nervous irritability. In particular, herbal decoctions make it possible to eliminate sleep problems. Teas made from chamomile allow you to calm down, have a relaxing effect on the body.

Chamomile is actively used in the manufacture of cosmetics. The plant is indispensable in the production of skin creams with a calming effect. Healing herb extract is added to all kinds of shampoos, toothpastes, shower gels, soaps.

How to prepare a decoction of chamomile?

For the preparation of a healing agent, you can use your own harvested raw materials. However, it is better to apply safe pharmacy fees. There are several recipes for the preparation of medicinal decoctions based on the plant:

Grass flowers are poured with boiled water. The composition is left to infuse in any capacious container until completely cooled. After a few hours, the remedy is ready for use.
If a rich decoction is required, raw materials based on a large number of flowers are used. The latter are brewed in a water bath. After about half an hour, the composition is filtered through cheesecloth. In order to reduce the concentration, the decoction can be diluted with boiled water.
The flowers are placed in an enamel bowl and poured with boiling water. The liquid is put on a slow fire. It is enough to wait until the broth acquires a dark shade. Then it can be removed and used for medicinal purposes.

Bathing aid for babies

The beneficial properties of chamomile have been used for centuries for bathing babies. Such baths help to relieve all kinds of skin irritations. Preparing a remedy is easy. It is enough to take a tablespoon of raw materials and pour boiled water in an amount of not more than 1 liter. The container must be covered with a lid. The composition will be ready when the chamomile flowers completely fall to the bottom. After straining the infusion, it can be added to the water when bathing the baby. Such baths will have a calming and anti-inflammatory effect on the skin of the child. Parents note that the tool helps to improve the sleep of newborns. However, it is not recommended to resort to such a solution too often.

Hair infusion

In order to strengthen the hair, the following remedy is prepared. A few tablespoons of dry chamomile collection is poured with a liter of boiled water. The composition is insisted for half an hour. Then the liquid is filtered and used when washing the hair.

A decoction of chamomile allows you to give blond hair a golden hue. To prepare such a tool, you need to take about 200 grams of raw materials and brew in 0.5 liters of boiling water. The composition should be boiled over low heat for 5 minutes. Then the remedy is allowed to brew. The composition is applied to the hair immediately after washing.

Using chamomile for douching

Plant-based medicines have antispasmodic, laxative and choleretic properties, which is confirmed by the reviews of numerous doctors. A good use of the tool was found in gynecology. Women who are forced to endure discomfort due to the development of thrush are often prescribed douching with chamomile infusions. This decision eliminates the use of antibiotics. Regular douching using the product makes it possible to get rid of unpleasant sensations in a short time, in particular, to remove discomfort in the form of itching.

Side effects

Chamomile has a wide range of medicinal properties. However, in case of exceeding the concentration of active substances in the composition of plant-based infusions or individual intolerance to certain chemical components, some negative manifestations may occur. Among the likely side effects when using chamomile medicines, the following should be highlighted:

Epigastric pain.
Nausea, urge to vomit.
Increased blood pressure.
Specific allergic reactions, which are accompanied by the appearance of tissue swelling.
Internal bleeding.
Local hyperemia, rash, itching of the skin (for external use).

If one or more negative reactions from the above list are noted, the use of chamomile-based funds must be stopped urgently.

Contraindications

The use of common chamomile for therapeutic purposes is prohibited when:

Gastric ulcer.
The development of severe pain during menstruation.
Tendency to develop diarrhea.
Mental disorders.
Pregnancy.

Finally

As you can see, common chamomile is a great healing plant. The benefits of infusions based on such herbs can bring a variety of people. At the same time, you should not abuse this tool. After all, a high concentration in the body of chemicals that are part of chamomile can lead to some unforeseen consequences.

Chamomile flowers- delicate flowers with a pleasant aroma of one of the most famous medicinal plants (see photo). Chamomile is an annual plant with a branched stem and green leaves. Chamomile blooms with yellow and white flowers collected in baskets. Chamomile is a member of the Astrov family. The plant got its Russian name due to a verbal error. In the medical books, the plant was mentioned under the name "Roman navel", then the name turned into Romanov grass, then simply into "novel" and, in the end, into the familiar chamomile. Among the people, chamomile is also called a "sorcerer", because on the petals of this flower, girls guess at the love of their betrothed. In the language of flowers, the plant means "sweet simplicity."

There is a legend that chamomile is a forest fairy who fell in love with a shepherd. The fairy entrusted the shepherd not only with her heart, but also with the secrets of healing with plants. The shepherd, having learned about the power of flowers and herbs, began to treat people for a lot of money and forgot his devoted teacher. The fairy, without waiting for the shepherd, began to cry bitterly, and each of her tears turned into a beautiful flower. The deceived fairy turned into a whole field of snow-white daisies, and the shepherd lost his healing power with every tear. The shepherd once remembered the fairy who loved him, but on the field he saw only delicate flowers. So daisies began to bring people invaluable benefits in memory of the disinterested love of the forest fairy.

Chamomile flowers are known in traditional and folk medicine, as well as in cosmetology. As a medicine, chamomile was used by Avicenna as a sedative and antiseptic. During Antiquity, doctors used chamomile instead of many medicines.

Collection and storage

The collection of chamomile falls on its flowering, that is, from May to September. Chamomile baskets are collected for medicinal purposes. Collect flower baskets should be in dry weather, in addition only blooming daisies are of value, it makes no sense to collect already fading baskets. Fresh flowers picked in the morning contain the highest amount of essential oil. Flowers are dried outdoors or in a cool room. Sometimes drying is carried out in dryers designed for this purpose. Dry flowers are stored in paper bags; they retain their medicinal properties for one year.

Beneficial features

The beneficial properties of chamomile are due to the presence of essential oil. Thanks to this oil, the flowers have a pleasant aroma. Chamomile essential oil is obtained by steam distillation. This oil is expensive, since about 200 kg of inflorescences are processed to obtain 1 kg of oil. Few people know that this product is obtained from different species of the same plant. For example, Roman chamomile oil is recognized as the most valuable and expensive on the modern market.Anthemisnobilis. Roman chamomile looks more like a wild chrysanthemum than a familiar chamomile flower. This plant is found in Belgium, Hungary, France, Germany. Manufacturers often refer to their product as English chamomile essential oil, or Camomile English. This is due to the fact that for a long time England was the largest supplier of this oil. The most common essential oil is blue, or pharmaceutical, chamomile, often called Germanic. Chamomile essential oil has a blue tint, but depending on storage conditions, it can be green or brown.

Chamomile flowers contain pectins, phytosterols, mucous and tannins, luteolin, carotene, choline, coumarin, as well as acids such as ascorbic, nicotinic, salicylic.

Chamomile good for tired and irritated eyes, for this purpose, lotions are made from chamomile broth. This procedure restores shine to the eyes, relaxes muscles, and relieves puffiness. For eye diseases, it is also recommended to wash with a weak chamomile decoction. For a decoction, a teaspoon of dried flowers will be enough, in the resulting decoction, a cotton wool is moistened and a few drops of the decoction are instilled into each eye. This procedure relieves inflammation and fatigue.

In cosmetology, little chamomile is one of the most sought after. The oil relieves inflammation after insect bites, sunburn, and inflammation caused by skin rashes. Chamomile is highly valued in the production of skin care cosmetics. Extracts of this plant are added to face and body creams. Rinsing with a decoction of chamomile flowers will make your hair shiny and well-groomed. Especially chamomile rinse is indicated for owners of blond hair, since chamomile lightens hair a little. The property of chamomile to lighten the curls of a girl has long been used for home care. In order to enhance the effect of the use of chamomile, it was mixed with acacia honey, lemon juice, nettle.

Chamomile essential oil helps with pustules, acne, teenage skin problems. Oil is simply indispensable for dry and inflamed skin. With regular use, the oil whitens the skin and eliminates imperfections, long-term use helps with rosacea and allergic reactions.

Use in cooking

In cooking, chamomile flowers are used to brew fragrant herbal tea. The drink has a pleasant smell and taste. In order to get a drink, a handful of dried flowers are poured with hot water, but not boiling water and insist for 15 minutes. Tea can be brewed in a glass teapot, enjoying not only the drink itself, but also the process of its preparation. If desired, you can add a slice of lemon and a little honey to the drink.

Chamomile flowers themselves have a spicy and slightly bitter taste. When rubbing fresh flowers, you can smell the smell of overripe apples, which is the reason for the name of the flower, where “chamal” means “low on the ground”, and “melon” means “apple”.

The benefits of chamomile flowers and treatment

The benefits of chamomile are obvious in the external and internal use of products based on this plant. Chamomile oil is effective for skin lesions, it has hemostatic and antiseptic properties. Chamomile perfectly disinfects, there is evidence that during the Great Patriotic War, chamomile decoctions were used to cleanse wounds. Chamomile oil, as well as decoctions from the inflorescences of this plant, are used in the form of compresses.

When used internally, a decoction of chamomile has a positive effect on the patient's condition. with stomach diseases, this effect is achieved due to the anti-inflammatory properties of the plant. Chamomile enhances appetite, improves bile secretion, relieves spasms, and reduces flatulence.

Women will be interested to know that chamomile normalizes the menstrual cycle. Chamomile is especially useful for women in position; decoctions from the inflorescences of this plant are used to relieve inflammation. Chamomile can also be used to gargle a sore throat, since many medicines are prohibited during pregnancy and lactation. Herbalists advise chamomile decoctions to be used by women with infertility.

Chamomile flowers are known for their calming and relaxing properties. Infusion has long been used to fight insomnia. A teaspoon of raw materials is poured into 200 ml of boiling water and drunk an hour before bedtime as a light sleeping pill. Chamomile helps to restore strength after protracted illnesses. Some preparations for the treatment of seizures also contain this plant.

Chamomile infusion is consumed with liver disease, chronic colitis, diseases of the kidneys, bladder. For infusion, 1 tbsp will be enough. l. dried flowers in a glass of boiling water. The resulting broth is infused for half an hour, and then taken twice a day. For the treatment of ulcers, a decoction of 1 tbsp. l. flowers drenched in a glass of hot water. The infusion is taken 15 minutes before a meal, and then lie on different sides of the body so that the infusion acts on the gastric mucosa evenly. The infusion is taken for one month three times a day.

Harm of chamomile flowers and contraindications

Chamomile can harm the body with individual intolerance, which is most often manifested by itching and rashes on the skin. Pregnant women should consult with their doctor before taking chamomile tea. Chamomile, if consumed in excess, can harm mother and baby. This plant stimulates the production of estrogen which can lead to premature birth. The norm for the average person is 2 cups of chamomile tea per day, this soothing drink, when consumed in large doses, has the opposite effect, causing dizziness.

Name: Chamomile officinalis.

Latin name: Matricaria recutita L.

Family: Asteraceae (Asteraceae)

Kinds: Along with medicinal chamomile, odorous chamomile is sometimes found in the neighborhood, which differs from the medicinal one in the absence of white marginal reed flowers. Chamomile is also often odorless, its difference is that the median flowers (yellow) sit on a hemispherical dense inside the common receptacle of the basket, its stem is branched only at the top, and not from the root, like in medicinal chamomile.

Lifespan: Annual.

plant type: Herbaceous plant.

Trunk (stem): Stem straight, cylindrical, glabrous, branched.

Height: Up to 50 cm.

Leaves: Leaves alternate, glabrous, sessile, twice or thrice pinnately dissected into thin, narrow, filiform segments.

Flowers, inflorescences: Marginal reed flowers in the basket are white, inner ones are yellow. The common receptacle of the basket is hollow, strongly convex.

flowering time: Blossoms from May to the end of October, intensively in May-June.

Fruit: The fruit is an achene.

Smells and tastes: The whole plant emits a pleasant chamomile smell.

collection time: At the beginning of flowering (May - early June) in dry weather, until the receptacle has become conical and the white petals are horizontal.

Features of collection, drying and storage: Baskets are torn off by hand or with special combs at the very base or so that the remains of peduncles do not exceed 3 cm. Baskets are suitable at the beginning of flowering (faded baskets crumble during drying, such raw materials are rejected). The collected material is folded, without compaction, into baskets or bags and dried on the same day, scattering thin (2-3 cm) layers on a clean bedding in a dry, well-ventilated room or under a canopy on the street and periodically mixing. Over-dried chamomile crumbles, and under-dried chamomile turns brown and acquires a sour smell, which indicates its unsuitability. Artificial drying is carried out at a temperature not exceeding 40°C. The yield of dry raw materials is 25-27%. Raw materials are stored in a dry, ventilated area in paper bags or in cardboard or plywood boxes lined with paper. Shelf life 1 year.

plant history: Ancient healers considered chamomile an effective remedy for soothing cramps and pain, used it for nervous disorders and loss of strength, as a remedy for expelling stones from the kidneys, for internal tumors. Avicenna said: "Chamomile strengthens the brain and is useful for cold headaches and for removing spoiled juices from the head."

Spreading: In Russia, chamomile is found in the European part, including the Arctic, (except for the Lower Volga region), in the Caucasus, in Western (Upper Tobolsk, Irtysh and Altai regions) and Eastern (Angara-Sayan region) Siberia; in Ukraine - almost throughout the entire territory.

habitats: It grows as a weed in gardens, kitchen gardens, wastelands, along the edges of coniferous and mixed forests, in clearings, near houses. Chamomile is cultivated in specialized farms (in Russia, commercial stocks of chamomile are available only in the North Caucasus, the main volume of raw materials is obtained from cultivated plants).

medicinal parts: Flower baskets.

Useful content: The raw material contains essential oils, flavonoids, organic acids, proteins, ascorbic and nicotinic acids, coumarins, bitterness, carotene, gums, fatty acids, chamazulene, vitamins C, B, K, tocopherol, polysaccharides. Chamazulene has an anti-inflammatory effect, enhances regeneration processes. It relaxes the muscles of the internal organs and eliminates spasms. But we must remember that when boiled, it is partially destroyed.

Use restrictions: OVERDOSE CAUSES HEADACHE, hoarseness, cough, conjunctivitis, profuse and painful periods, and EVEN MENTAL DISORDERS (irritability, fear, hallucinations, manic ideas). FOR SOME PEOPLE, THE SMELL OF CHAMOMILE MAY CAUSE ALLERGIES, EXPRESSED IN BOTH RED AND ITCHING OF THE SKIN, AND IN RESPIRATORY SPASMS. BE SURE TO TEST THE RESPONSE OF YOUR BODY TO THE ACTION OF CHAMOMILE BEFORE USING IT.

Healing recipes:

Decoction of chamomile flowers . 10 grams or 4 tablespoons of inflorescences per 200 ml of boiling water, boil for 10 minutes. Use for douching.

Chamomilla recutita

Family - Compositae - Asteraceae

Parts used - baskets, leaves, roots.

The popular name is uterine grass, medicinal chamomile, peeled chamomile, camila, blush, morgun, Romanov grass, girlish flower.

Pharmacy name - Chamomilla recutita L. (syn. Matricaria chamomilla L.)

Botanical description

Chamomile is an annual plant with a thin taproot, slightly branched, light brown. Stems erect, branched, 15-60 cm high, hollow inside. Taproot, slightly branched, light brown.

Leaves are alternate, twice pinnately dissected into narrow-linear segments, 15-60 mm long, 5-18 mm wide, sessile.

Flowers in baskets, equipped with long peduncles, baskets form a corymbose inflorescence. Inflorescences - conical baskets up to 25 mm in diameter, numerous, located on finely ribbed long peduncles up to 8 cm at the tops of stems and side shoots. Inflorescences together form a common corymbose inflorescence. Flowers in each basket of two types: marginal - false-lingual, white, female; median - tubular, yellow, bisexual. Basket wrappers are multi-row, with a diameter of 5-8 mm. The leaflets of the wrappers are tiled, small, oblong, obtuse, yellowish green, brownish membranous along the edges; the outer leaflets are narrower and slightly shorter than the inner ones. There are five stamens in tubular flowers, fused with anthers into a tube surrounding the style. The tops of the anthers have sharp triangular appendages. Pistil - with lower one-celled ovary, filiform column and two linear curved stigmas. The fruits are small, up to 1 mm long, brownish-green achenes without a crest.

Chamomile blooms in May-September, fruits ripen in June-October. It is found in the European part of Russia, in Siberia, in the Caucasus and Central Asia. It grows on fallows, in crops, orchards, vineyards, roadsides, garbage places, quarries. Cultivated as a medicinal plant.

Collection and preparation

They collect baskets at the beginning of flowering, when their receptacle has not yet acquired a conical shape, in May - June, manually cutting off with a part of the peduncle no longer than 3 cm. Dry in the shade, in attics or in dryers, spreading it in a layer of 2-3 cm on paper or tarpaulin, at a temperature not exceeding 35 ° C. Well-dried raw materials have a pleasant aroma and a bitter-spicy taste. Store dry raw materials for 2 years.

Active ingredients

Flower baskets contain essential oil, which includes chamazulene, various terpenes and sesquiterpenes, apigenin, prochamazulene, matricin, lactone matrikarin, umbelliferone, organic acids, resins, bitterness, carotene, organic acids, protein substances.

Use in homeopathy

In homeopathy, the essence of chamomile is used for dispensation in children, stomach cramps, and flatulence.

Healing action and application

It has analgesic, sedative, diaphoretic, disinfectant, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

In folk medicine, chamomile has found a very large application.

An infusion of chamomile flowers is taken orally as an analgesic and sedative for inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, enterocolitis, colitis), malaria, scrofula, insomnia, diseases of the liver and biliary tract, flatulence (as a carminative), spasms stomach and intestines, as regulating the menstrual cycle (with delays in menstruation). With colitis and hemorrhoids, enemas are made from infusion of chamomile. Externally, an infusion of chamomile flowers is used for rinsing with inflammation of the gums, oral mucosa, eyelids, tonsillitis, eczema, ulcers, abscesses, burns, bruises, rheumatic and arthritic pain in the joints.

In collections with other plants, chamomile is also used for prostate adenoma, chronic glomerulonephritis, chronic prostatitis and cervical cystitis. Powder from crushed chamomile inflorescences is used for migraines.

Chamomile oil is used in aromatherapy for insomnia, migraine, inflammation of the skin, as well as for eczema, it is recommended for asthma, bronchitis, cough, flu, cystitis, irritability, it is useful for children and the elderly. The oil is applied externally together with vegetable oil, internally with honey, as well as in the form of inhalations, baths, applications and compresses. The smell of chamomile oil is characterized as deep, slightly bitter, warm, heavy.

Chamomile - a favorite flower of cosmetologists, is considered an indispensable part of many medical and cosmetic masks.

Recipes

Pour 1 tablespoon of inflorescences with 1 cup of boiling water and let it brew for 2 hours. Strain and take chilled from 1-2 tablespoons 1/3 cup 3-4 times a day. (Gastritis, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, enteritis, colitis, diseases of the liver and biliary tract).
Mix and grind 4 parts - chamomile flowers, mint leaves and 3 parts of valerian root. Pour 1 tablespoon of this collection with 1 cup of boiling water and let it brew for 2 hours. Strain and take hot, 0.5 cup 2-3 times a day. (Delayed menstruation).
Brew 2-3st spoons of flowers with boiling water until a mushy mass is formed and put hot in a clean cloth and apply to the sore spot. (Bruises, rheumatic and gouty pains in the joints).
Pour 1 tablespoon of chamomile flower baskets with 1 cup of boiling water and let it brew for 1 hour. Strain and take 0.5 cup warm 3-4 times a day. (For gargling and washing purulent wounds, ulcers and abscesses).
25 g of dried chamomile flowers pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, boil over low heat for 5 minutes and let it brew for 15 minutes. Strain and take with honey or sugar in the evening. (Insomnia).
3 tablespoons of chamomile flowers pour 1 liter of boiling water and let it brew for 4 hours. Strain and apply 1-2 times a day for douching. (Acute vaginitis).
Pour 1 tablespoon of chamomile flowers with 1 cup of boiling water, wrap and let it brew for 1 hour. Strain and take 0.5 cup 3-4 times a day. (Dysentery).
6 tablespoons of dried flowers, pour 500 ml of boiled water in an enamel bowl and leave covered for 15 minutes in a water bath. Strain and top up with water to 500 ml. Drink for 2 days (course 1 week). (Gastritis, liver disease and flatulence).
Pour 10 g of crushed dandelion roots with 1 cup of boiling water and let it brew for 2 hours. Strain and take 50 ml of infusion 4 times a day 30 minutes before meals. (Allergy).
Pour 10 g of crushed roots and leaves with 50 ml of vegetable oil and let it brew for 10 hours. Strain and use the resulting ointment externally. (Burns and bedsores).
Pour 50-200g of chopped chamomile herb with a bucket of boiling water and let it brew for 1 hour. Strain and pour into the bath, the duration of the bath is 15-20 minutes. (Scrofula in children).

Chamomile- an annual herbaceous plant of the Aster family, can reach a height of 40 cm. The stem of the plant is branched, the leaves are green, strongly dissected. Chamomile blooms from May to August. Chamomile inflorescences are single baskets, which are located at the ends of the branches.

The composition of the basket includes white ligulate marginal flowers and median tubular, having a yellow color. Chamomile fruits are very small. Twenty thousand chamomile fruits weigh only 1 gram. The plant has a strong odor. In addition to medicinal (pharmacy) chamomile, there are other varieties of this genus that do not have medicinal use. It is the smell that distinguishes the medicinal variety of chamomile.

The composition of chamomile includes many active substances, for this reason, and also due to the discovered photoprotective function, it is widely used in cosmetology, in the perfume industry. On its basis, creams, lotions, shampoos and balms are made. Chamomile is especially widely used in the manufacture of products intended for children. Chamomile is also used for hair coloring. Blond hair when using chamomile acquires a golden hue.

In the food industry, chamomile is used to give a special flavor to alcoholic beverages. For example, sherry. Dry chamomile can be used as a forage for cows. The flowers of the plant are used to dye wool yellow. Chamomile is used as an insecticide against small caterpillars and earthen fleas.

Chamomile - types and places of growth

There are medicinal and decorative varieties of chamomile. Medicinal chamomile, in addition to pharmacy, also includes tongueless chamomile. Chamomile is widespread in North America and Eurasia. Often you can find chamomile growing in meadows, open glades, between crops and along roads. However, chamomile is also cultivated on plantations. It is grown as a medicinal plant.

Chamomile - medicinal properties

In folk medicine, chamomile is used to treat colitis, gastritis, stomach ulcers, dysentery, diseases of the liver, bladder, nervous system and kidneys. It is used for colds and malaria, scrofula and insomnia, as well as for diseases of various origins, a symptom of which is fever. Chamomile is also used externally. It relieves inflammation of the mucous membranes. It is used to relieve children of the state of spasms in the stomach or intestines. It has a positive effect in the treatment of gout, ulcers and boils.

Chamomile - dosage forms

At the very beginning of flowering, when the chamomile receptacle has not yet become conical, and the "petals" are arranged horizontally, you should start collecting flower baskets. They must be cut or torn off almost at the base. The maximum length of the left peduncle should not exceed 1 cm.

The collection must be timed to good, sunny weather, since raw materials that are wet from rain or dew change their color and lose their useful properties. Dry chamomile should be where the room is well ventilated. It is better to use a dryer. The temperature for drying raw materials is 30-40°C. At the end of the process, the receptacle should be solid, and the flowers should be well separated from it.

If the raw material is harvested for the preparation of baths, you can use the entire aerial part of the plant. In this case, it should be dried by hanging the grass in bunches. Raw materials are stored for no more than a year.

Chamomile flowers are used in the form of infusions, decoctions, lotions.

Chamomile - recipes

From chamomile, you can make a wonderful lotion that will prevent the appearance of wrinkles. It is necessary to take three parts of chamomile, two parts of peppermint, one part of rosemary. Add two parts salicylic acid. Pour the mixture with a liter of dry white wine and leave to infuse for two weeks. Strained lotion should be wiped on the face daily at night. The duration of the procedure is 15 days.

Chamomile baths are good for gout, rheumatism, eczema and scrofula in children. For baths, chamomile grass is used, dosing it at the rate of 50 to 200 grams per bucket of boiling water. The duration of the procedure should not exceed 15-20 minutes.

Chamomile tea will ensure a restful sleep at night. To do this, you need to brew a teaspoon of flowers in a glass of boiling water.

With toothache, irritability, gastritis, colitis, convulsions, inflammation of the liver, migraine and bloating, chamomile infusion will help. To prepare it, 2 tablespoons of flowers must be put in a thermos and steamed with 0.5 liters of boiling water. It is recommended to drink the infusion three times a day before meals in a glass.

Chamomile is used externally for joint pain and bruises. You need 2-3 tbsp. l. brew dry flowers with boiling water until a viscous slurry. It should be applied to a clean cloth before it cools down. Such a compress is applied to a sore spot.

Chamomile - contraindications

Exceeding the doses of the essential oil used can cause headaches.
Exceeding the dosage of other drugs based on chamomile can also provoke attacks of anger, increased irritability.
You can not use chamomile for patients with anacid gastritis, as well as those prone to diarrhea.
Chamomile may be individually intolerable.