The healing properties of chamomile have been known for centuries. But what makes chamomile so he althy, what active ingredients does it contain and what can chamomile be used for?
Camomile (Matricaria) has been cultivated by humans for centuries - and not only as a beautiful ornamental plant, but above all because of its effect as a medicinal plant. Healers have known about the positive effects of the plant for thousands of years. Teutons and Egyptians even worshiped the flower as a sacred plant of their sun deities. But even today, many people still swear by the beneficial power of chamomile. Chamomile is used for many ailments, for example against inflammation, abdominal pain or colds.
Effect of chamomile: what makes it so he althy?
The essential oil content is decisive for the effect of chamomile as a medicinal product. The proportion is highest in the flowers at 0.3 - 2.5%. This oil obtained from real chamomile is also called chamomile oil or blue chamomile oil. The main components of the essential oil are bisabolol and matricin, which have an anti-inflammatory effect. If chamomile oil is obtained using steam distillation, chamazulene is formed - this also not only has an anti-inflammatory effect, but also gives the oil a deep blue color. The highest content of active substances is found in real chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), but Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) can also be used as a medicinal plant will. However, the dog chamomile species (Anthemis) are considered slightly poisonous and should not be used in medicine or in the kitchen. The other types of chamomile are not poisonous, but they do not contain any significant amounts of active substances and are therefore rarely used.
The ingredients in real chamomile have an antibacterial effect, prevent the effects of inflammatory substances and relax tense muscles. Because of these properties, chamomile is used to treat a wide range of ailments, from a cold to skin problems.
IsChamomile anti-inflammatory? Yes, real chamomile has an anti-inflammatory effect - both externally and internally. Applied as an ointment, chamomile unfolds its effect on the skin and helps against inflammation or neurodermatitis. But chamomile is also anti-inflammatory when taken as a tea, for example in the mouth and throat.
Can you eat camomile?
The flowers, leaves and buds of German chamomile are edible and can be used in cooking. Roots and stems are not usually used. Real chamomile is also edible for animals and unfolds its effect. Chamomile tea can also have a calming effect on dogs and help against gastrointestinal problems. Roman chamomile is also suitable for consumption. It smells and tastes subtly of apple. Some types of dog chamomile, on the other hand, are considered slightly toxic and should not be eaten. Pets such as dogs and cats should only consume small amounts of the plant, but an occasional nibble is harmless. Horses and rabbits can also tolerate small amounts of dog chamomile.
Is chamomile poisonous to cats? Real chamomile is not poisonous to cats, but dog chamomile species can cause slight symptoms of poisoning in large quantities.
Fortunately, chamomile is one of the medicinal plants that can also be used by laypersons without any problems, as it hardly shows any negative effects even with the "wrong" preparation or dosage. Nevertheless, a few points should be heeded when using real chamomile as a remedy: People with an allergy to daisy family (Asteraceae) in particular should refrain from using chamomile as a home remedy. These individuals can experience severe allergic reactions when contaminated with other daisy family species such as dog chamomile. There is a risk of confusion with this. You can find out more about the differences between the varieties and the risk of confusion with chamomile in our special article. In addition, self-prepared chamomile solutions should not be used on or in the eyes - they can be contaminated with germs and even cause eye infections.
Use of chamomile asmedicinal plant
The fact that chamomile has always been a must in every medicine cabinet is due in particular to the plant's ease of use, but also to its versatility. Real chamomile can also be used by laypeople as a homemade household remedy. Alternatively, Roman chamomile with similar ingredients can also be used. Chamomile is particularly suitable for children: chamomile tea, for example, can be used without hesitation for babies in an appropriate dose.
Camomile tea: What does it help against?
Everyone probably knows chamomile tea from their childhood. Whether you have stomach problems or the flu - the warm drink is said to help with a large number of illnesses. But is this an old wives tale or is chamomile tea actually he althy? In fact, the healing essential oils dissolve in the hot water and can provide relief from minor ailments. Homemade chamomile tea unfolds its calming effect, relieves cramps in gastrointestinal complaints and can also be beneficial for gastritis. Chamomile also helps against inflammation in the mouth and throat - used several times a day, a mouthwash with chamomile has an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect. In southern Europe, the he althy chamomile tea is also widely used as a sleeping pill and sedative. The healing plant is even said to have an antispasmodic effect on menstrual cramps.
Tip: Chamomile tea can also be used as a conditioning hair conditioner. It cares for the scalp and lightens the hair slightly.
As a home remedy, chamomile tea is not only he althy, but also extremely popular. No wonder - after all, it can be easily made from the medicinal plant. For a chamomile infusion, the flowers are used fresh or dried, although the best time to harvest chamomile is when the flower is fully open before it has faded. Two to three teaspoons of the dried chamomile flowers are poured into a cup of hot, but not boiling, water. After the tea has steeped for about ten minutes, you can strain the flowers and enjoy the he althy chamomile tea. A daily dose of real chamomile corresponds to 9 - 12 g of the dried flowers.
Benefits of chamomile tea at a glance:
- You can make chamomile tea yourself
- Helps with a variety of ailments
- Camomile tea is good for its calming effectdrink before bed
- The anti-inflammatory chamomile tea is effective for gastrointestinal disorders and menstrual cramps
- As a nourishing hair conditioner, chamomile tea brightens and soothes the scalp
- Camomile tea is traditionally used for colds
Inhale chamomile
Chamomile is probably best known for its beneficial effects on respiratory problems and colds. In fact, chamomile tea should not be used here - it is worth sweating if you have a bad cold. The active ingredients in chamomile reach the lungs through inhalation. Although inhaling a hot chamomile steam bath can be uncomfortable for some, it has a positive effect on the symptoms in the airways. To do this, hot water and two handfuls of chamomile blossoms are poured together in a pot: simply hang your head covered with a towel over the pot for a few minutes and breathe in and out deeply for about 10 to 20 minutes. This is often not particularly pleasant, but works wonders. The steam moistens the dry and irritated mucous membranes, the essential oils of chamomile have a calming effect and relieve inflammation.
Chamomile in ointments
Camomile is not only effective as a tea - chamomile has also proven itself as a home remedy for the skin. A chamomile-based ointment can be applied, for example, to treat skin or mucous membrane inflammation or bacterial skin diseases. Chamomile helps with wound healing and has an antibacterial effect. Chamomile ointment can also bring about improvement when used in the case of infections in the oral cavity or on the gums.
Camomile as a bath additive
Camomile is not only suitable for external use in ointments: a bath or sitz bath can also have a healing effect. Real chamomile has a healing effect on skin ailments such as neurodermatitis or light sunburn, whereby it has an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect and provides relief. In order to produce a suitable bath additive, 50 - 100 g of chamomile blossoms are infused with one liter of hot water. After ten minutes, the flowers are strained and the bath additive is added to the bath water. Sitz baths with chamomile also have an anti-inflammatory effect for diseases in the anal and genital area, such as haemorrhoids or infections. Used in chamomile baths, the essential oils soothe the skinBlossom the ailments and speed healing.
Chamomile Oil
Camomile oil is versatile. Chamomile oil is not only extracted from real chamomile, but also from Roman chamomile. You can add chamomile oil to the bath water along with a spoonful of honey for it to work its magic. You can also dip clean cloths in a bowl of water and a few drops of chamomile oil and make compresses out of them. This is then placed on parts of the body with neurodermatitis or muscle tension.
You want to grow real camomile in your own garden? We have tips on how to care for chamomile properly.