Chamomile - medicinal properties and contraindications

Chamomile pharmacy looks beautiful among other wild plants, is very popular among doctors and traditional healers, in demand in cosmetology. And still it is used for divination by lovers, with bated breath expecting that the last plucked petal will turn out to be a happy indication of reciprocity.

The valuable qualities of the plant have been appreciated long ago, even in the times of Avicenna, and mostly ancient recipes of healing infusions and extracts reached the modern world almost unchanged. Yes, they do not require adjustment, as they help in many troubles related to human health.

Chamomile is an annual essential aromatic plant. Replaced to the family of Asterovs. It grows not only in the steppe zones, along roads, on the slopes of hills, near water bodies, on wastelands, but also as a cultivated plant. Chamomile is cultivated very often, as it can help people with various diseases, providing a quick, but very mild, sparing effect.

It is the healing properties of those plants whose stems are from 20 to 40 cm in height, not more. Any violation in a greater or lesser direction suggests that the plant:

• was at the time of growth in unacceptable conditions for him;
• sick;
• did not receive enough sunlight, so many useful substances are lost.

Chamomile stalk is very thin, with a cavity inside along the entire length, but straight. Leaves on it are arranged in turn, their shape narrowly linear with pointed cuts. The length of the leaves varies from 2 to 5 cm.

The root system is rather weak, since the root itself is thin, has few branches. Rhizome has a brown color. Chamomile is difficult to hide among other plants due to the distinctive properties of its small multiple flowers.They have a bright yellow middle, framed in a circle with individual petals of white. Small seeds begin to ripen in flower baskets, and reproduction occurs with their help.

Nuances of the procurement process

If it is necessary to collect pharmacy chamomile, the main thing is not to confuse it with other members of the family. In the chamomile-healer, the petals are white and narrow, on a receptacle along the circumference are placed horizontally. When the flowering period comes to an end, the petals begin to lean toward the stem. In many species of chamomile, the head of the flower basket is flat, while in the pharmacy it has a pronounced conical shape, the tubular head is hollow.

Only flower baskets are harvested. They need to be collected directly in the stage of full blooming; observation will help determine the correct period: if the language flowers are in a horizontal position. Harvest time falls from June to September, but at the very end of the season the chamomile plucked does not contain all the necessary trace elements, and the percentage of essential oil is significantly reduced.Therefore, such raw materials are considered useless, and they are practically not used.

During harvesting, it is best to choose inflorescences that have a hemispherical receptacle, white petals are located horizontally or slightly raised. Their advantages are that they will not crumble during treatment, and their healing properties will be the best. It is not necessary to show greed and collect already overripe inflorescences, if the white marginal flowers have already dropped down.

For harvesting chamomile need good weather. If there is a lot of humidity outside or it starts to rain, it’s time to wait. Do not collect the plant and until then, until the dew disappeared.

Sharply sharpened knives and scissors are used to collect chamomile. If the plants are pulled out entirely, then reproduction will not occur, and the next year the whole plantation will turn into a wasteland. When cutting, care should be taken that there are only healthy and whole inflorescences in the container, and leaves and affected flowers do not fall.

To collect in most cases, take a basket or boxes, which have low sides. The main thing is that the inflorescences are not crushed and deformed.

Chamomile can absorb negative environmental effects. Because you should not pay attention to the abundance of plants near the highways, chemical plants, landfills, farms and other dangerous places.

When the harvest is gathered and delivered home, it must be dried immediately. For this procedure, the place must be chosen in the shade, for example, in the attic. You can build special sheds. It is important that dim sun rays dry the inflorescences, destroying the healing properties, and that the chamomile gradually becomes dry with the help of a small draft. To decompose the plant you need a very thin layer on clean paper or natural fabric. Periodically, it will be necessary to turn the inflorescences in order to allow the access of fresh air to produce more quality drying. After 7-10 days, the process is considered complete.

Keep the plant also need to be able to. The inflorescences are hidden in a glass container, in clean canvas bags or a cardboard box and placed in a room with a low level of humidity and good ventilation. If these conditions are met, chamomile will faithfully serve the health of those around you for two years.

How is chamomile useful?

The leaves and roots of pharmaceutical chamomile do not have as many valuable substances as inflorescences. Therefore, actively medicine (both official and folk) uses flowers.

They have:

• bioflavonoids;
• various acids - first of all, caprylic, salicylic, caprylic;
• coumarins;
• polyins;
• tanning and protein substances;
• essential oil. It has a blue color and a very rich composition, but there is no sharp smell;
• various vitamins;
• polysaccharide compounds;
• sesquiterpenoids. Their content is very high - up to 50 percent;
• bitterness, mucus and gum;
• phytosterol. Steroid alcohol benefits especially for the skin, slowing down the aging process, and for hair.

What diseases can be used chamomile

The inflorescences of flowers for patients, of course, are not a panacea, but they greatly facilitate the treatment of many ailments. This is, for example:

• inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract or liver;
• cramps in the stomach or intestines;
• neurosis;
• gynecological problems;
• colds;
• flatulence.

The plant has many useful qualities. Relieves inflammation and is a choleretic agent, facilitates the excretion of gases,accumulated in the intestines, and relieves cramps, stops blood and fights bacteria, strengthens the immune system and restores performance.

In the old days, an antidote from a snake bite was made entirely from a plant. There is a species of daisy - Caucasian. It is actively used as an insecticide in the fight against such harmful insects as flies, mosquitoes, lice, bedbugs and cockroaches. And also used in the form of powder prepared from flower baskets, in the fight against pests of vegetable crops and even with granary pests.

On the basis of pharmacy chamomile, there are medications that act as a spasmolytic for smooth muscles, have antidepressant properties or lower the tone of blood vessels. Mostly used processed inflorescences in the form of tea, tinctures, extracts. The essential oil of the plant is also widely used.

Chamomile pharmacy has established itself on the positive side in the treatment of such ailments:

1. Violations of the biliary system.
2. Diseases of the stomach with pronounced damage to the mucous membrane, occurring in acute or chronic form.
3. Serious problems associated with inflammatory processes in the urogenital system.
4. Diseases of the respiratory system, if, moreover, they are accompanied by a strong cough, swelling of the mucous membranes.
5. Diseases of the skin and tissues. The accumulation of nutrients in chamomile can stop the growth of bacteria the development of inflammation.

With the help of chamomile, you can remove anxious and hysterical states, reduce the presence of pain, especially when it comes to headache or toothache, painful menstruation.

Important! Usually, treatment with chamomile lasts a long time - up to three months and represents a whole course if the patient’s body does not respond by an allergic reaction. Patients during treatment are usually not addictive.

The essential oil of the plant is also distinguished by many medicinal qualities. First of all, it has the following properties:

• anti-inflammatory;
• antihistamine;
• bactericidal.

Doctors assign the leading role in the effectiveness of the impact on the patient's organism to a special substance that is contained in chamomile essential oil. This is hamazulen. By the way, it is he who paints the oil, which is a viscous dense liquid, in blue dark color.During storage, the substance is oxidized by oxygen in the air, and then the oil becomes green first and then brown.

Not in vain the physicians and traditional healers paid close attention to the essential oil. Chamomile oil:

• promotes vasodilation;
• has diaphoretic effects;
• relieves flatulence in the intestines;
• stimulates the digestive process;
• is diaphoretic and antibacterial;
• increases the body's defenses.

The usual course is 7 days. 2 drops of oil mixed with a teaspoon of honey. Take twice a day. If required, you need to drink with boiled water. It is necessary to monitor the reaction of the organism, as some negative effects may occur, for example, nausea and vomiting, slight dizziness. Since these symptoms may appear, chamomile essential oil is not recommended for use by pregnant women and breastfeeding babies, children who are under 7 years old, or if any diseases are in the acute stage. In this case, consult a specialist.

Self-treatment with chamomile

First of all, at home, tea and decoction of chamomile are used as a local or systemic treatment. For external use there are poultices and compresses, douches and enemas, rinsing and rinsing the mouth and throat, baths and baths.

All these procedures bring good results if:

• there was a violation of the skin, for example, a burn, an ulcer, a long non-healing wound, frostbite;
• concerned about persistent inflammatory acne on the skin;
• inflammatory processes of the eye mucosa began;
• hemorrhoids are sore and inflamed;
• menstrual cycle disorder has occurred or cervical erosion has been identified;
• there was dislocation, sprain;
• started a gout or rheumatism attack;
• worried about sweating on the palms and soles of the feet.

How to make a healing infusion at home

1. If there are problems associated with the gastrointestinal tract, it is proposed to make the following infusion from chamomile. It will take 1 - 3 tablespoons of inflorescences, which are brewed in two cups of boiling water. This dose is calculated per day. Take the need for 15 minutes before eating.A greater effect from the remedy will be if, after drinking it, to lie down, consistently changing the position to lie on all four sides.
2. Migraine attack can be relieved by taking 2 grams. chamomile powder an hour after eating.
3. To restore the nervous system, make such a decoction. You will need 4 tablespoons of crushed flowers and 300 ml of boiled water. You need to heat up in a water bath for 30 minutes. After the tool has cooled, it is filtered. To enhance the taste add some honey. Take half a glass at a time after lunch and dinner. Broth should not be stored for more than two days.
4. There is also a more complicated recipe that will help to cope with such a delicate problem as flatulence. To the chamomile of three parts in such proportions add: valerian root - 2 parts, cumin seeds - 5 parts. All components in a crushed form are mixed, pour boiling water. For two tablespoons you will need 400 ml of freshly removed water. Pour the plant, insist in a sealed container for 20 minutes. After filtering can be taken. Such a tool is proposed to use the first time before bedtime, the second - before breakfast.A single dose is 100 ml. This recipe helps to calm down, has a carminative effect and sedative.

From a stomach ulcer helps such a decoction. The following medicinal plants are taken in equal amounts:

• daisy flowers;
• the roots of calamus, dandelion and elecampane;
• mint leaves;
• corn stigmas;
• grass knotweed and marshland marsh.

Grind and mix all components, put 3 spoons of the mixture in a thermos, pour boiling water over 1 liter. Take 5 spoons per day until better.

How to use chamomile for water treatments

As an infusion or decoction, chamomile is used for baths with various therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. Typically, such procedures are carried out for the beneficial effects on the skin, as well as to relax and rest the whole body.

Chamomile is particularly effective as a health component in such cases:

• inflammatory or allergic processes occur;
• cramps appeared in the calf muscles;
• skin has become too dry and peels off;
• cracked feet;
• anxious swelling of the legs;
• long impossible to sleep;
• constant irritability and nervousness appeared.

To prepare a therapeutic bath, you will need not only chamomile blossoms, but the whole plant along with the root system. 500 gr. Pour 2 liters of water and bring to a boiling state. Do not remove from heat for another 10 minutes. Then wait until it has cooled down a little, strain and add to the bath. This procedure is a course. It must be repeated for two weeks, repeating every other day. The duration of treatment is 30 minutes.

Especially for women!

If a woman has whites, you will need such a remedy. Measure out 5 gr. chamomile and oak bark, 15 gr. nettle and knotweed leaves - 25 gr. All ingredients are mixed and poured 2 tablespoons 200 grams. cold water. Need to insist 4 hours, then boil for 10 minutes. Use in the form of tampons and douching, but not during menstruation.

If menstruation is painful, they prepare this remedy: take a tablespoon: chamomile, mint, shepherd's bag, mistletoe, yarrow, shepherd's bag. You need to mix everything, measure 1.5 tablespoons and place in a thermos. Pour 3.5 cups of boiling water and leave for an hour. Drink should be a few days before and during menstruation.Norm: 3 times a day, 200 ml.

What are the side effects and contraindications of chamomile?

If you do not follow the conditions of chamomile recipes, you may experience nausea and vomiting, headaches and increase blood pressure. Chamomile in large quantities can cause internal bleeding in the weakened body as well as bronchospasm.

From contraindications it is worth noting only the individual intolerance of the components of this plant.

Video: useful properties of chamomile