Chamomile - medicinal properties and contraindications

Chamomile pharmacy looks beautiful among other wild plants, is very popular among doctors and traditional healers, it is in demand in cosmetology. And it is also used for divination by lovers, with a sinking heart, expecting that the last torn petal will be a happy indication of reciprocity.

The valuable qualities of the plant were appreciated a long time ago, back in the days of Avicenna, and basically the old recipes for 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 oil plant. It is assigned to the astrov family. It grows not only in the steppe zones, along roads, along hillsides, near ponds, in wastelands, but also as a cultivated plant. Chamomile is cultivated especially often, as it can help people with a wide variety of diseases, providing a quick, but very mild, sparing effect.

It is the medicinal properties of those plants whose stems are from 20 to 40 cm in height, no more. Any violation up or down indicates that the plant:

• was during growth in conditions unacceptable to him;
• sick
• did not receive enough sunlight, which means that many useful substances have been lost.

The stem of the daisy is very thin, with a cavity inside along the entire length, but straight. Leaves along it are arranged in turn, their shape is 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, there are 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 by individual white petals. In flower baskets small seeds begin to ripen, and with their help reproduction occurs.

The nuances of the procurement process

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

Only flower baskets are procured. They need to be collected directly at the stage of complete blooming, the observation will help determine the correct period: if the linguistic flowers are in a horizontal position. The collection time falls from June to September, but at the very end of the season, a plucked chamomile does not contain all the necessary trace elements, and the percentage of essential oil is significantly reduced in it. Because 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 horizontal or slightly raised up. Their advantages are that they will not crumble during processing, and their healing properties will be the best.You should not be greedy and collect already overripe inflorescences if the white marginal flowers have already dropped down.

Good weather is needed to harvest chamomile. If the street is very humid or it starts to rain, this time will have to wait. They do not collect the plant until the dew has disappeared.

Mostly sharpened knives and scissors are used to collect chamomile. If the plants are torn out entirely, then reproduction will not occur, and the next year the entire plantation will turn into a wasteland. When cutting, you should ensure that the container contains only healthy and whole inflorescences, and leaves and flowers affected by various diseases do not fall.

In most cases, baskets or boxes with low sides are taken for collection. The main thing is that the inflorescences do not crumple and do not deform.

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

When the crop is harvested and delivered home, it must be urgently dried. For this procedure, the place is chosen necessarily in the shade, for example, in the attic. You can build special canopies. It is important that the dim sun rays dry the inflorescences, destroying the healing properties, and that the chamomile gradually becomes dry with a little draft. You need to decompose the plant in a very thin layer on clean paper or natural fabric. Periodically, it will be necessary to turn the inflorescences so that the access of fresh air helps to produce drying more efficiently. After 7 - 10 days, the process is considered completed.

You must be able to store the plant too. 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 others for two years.

Why is camomile useful?

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

They include:

• bioflavonoids;
• various acids - primarily caprylic, salicylic, caprylic;
• coumarins;
• polines;
• tanning and protein substances;
• essential oil. It has a blue color and a very saturated composition, but there is no pungent odor;
• various vitamins;
• polysaccharide compounds;
• sesquiterpenoids. Their content is very high - up to 50 percent;
• bitterness, mucus and gum;
• phytosterol. Steroid alcohol is beneficial especially for the skin, slowing down the aging process, and for hair.

What diseases can be used for chamomile?

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;
• cramping 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 elimination of gases accumulated in the intestines, and relieves cramps, stops blood and fights bacteria, strengthens the immune system and restores health.

In the old days, the antidote for snake bites was prepared completely from the plant. There is a variety of chamomile - Caucasian. It is actively used as an insecticide in the fight against such harmful insects as flies, mosquitoes, lice, bugs and cockroaches. And also used in the form of a powder prepared from flower baskets, in the fight against pests of vegetable crops and even with barn pests.

On the basis of pharmacy chamomile, there are medications that act as an antispasmodic of smooth muscles, having antidepressant properties or lowering the tone of blood vessels.Mostly used processed inflorescences in the form of tea, infusions, extracts. Widely used and plant essential oil.

Chamomile pharmacy has proven 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, proceeding in acute or chronic form.
3. Serious problems associated with inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system.
4. Diseases of the respiratory system, if, in addition, 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 allows you to stop the growth of bacteria, the development of inflammation.

With the help of chamomile, you can remove anxiety and hysterical conditions, 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 to an allergic reaction. Patients usually do not experience addiction during treatment.

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

• anti-inflammatory;
• antihistamine;
• bactericidal.

The leading role in the effectiveness of exposure to a sick body, doctors assign a special substance, which is contained in chamomile essential oil. This is chamazulen. By the way, it is he who paints the oil, which is a viscous, dense liquid, in a dark blue color. During storage, the substance is oxidized with atmospheric oxygen, and then the oil acquires first green, and then brown color.

No wonder doctors and traditional healers paid close attention to the essential oil. Chamomile oil:

• promotes vasodilation;
• has a diaphoretic effect;
• relieves gassing in the intestines;
• stimulates the digestive process;
• diaphoretic and antibacterial;
• increases the body's defenses.

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

Self-treatment with chamomile

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

Good results come from all of these procedures if:

• a violation of the skin occurred, for example, a burn, ulcer, long non-healing wound, frostbite;
• Constant inflammatory acne on the skin;
• inflammation of the mucous membranes of the eyes began;
• hemorrhoidal nodes are sore and inflamed;
• menstrual cycle disorder or cervical erosion is detected;
• dislocation, sprain;
• an attack of gout or rheumatism has begun;
• worried about heavy sweating on the palms and feet.

How to prepare a medicinal infusion at home

1. If there are problems associated with the gastrointestinal tract, it is proposed to make the following infusion of chamomile pharmacy. It will take 1 to 3 tablespoons of inflorescences, which are brewed in two glasses of boiling water. This dose is designed for a day. Take 15 minutes before meals.A greater effect of the remedy will be if, after drinking it, lie down, successively changing your position to lie on all four sides.
2. A migraine attack can be relieved if taken 2 g. chamomile powder an hour after eating.
3. To restore the nervous system, make such a decoction. It will take 4 tablespoons of chopped flowers and 300 ml of boiled water. You need to heat in a water bath for 30 minutes. After the product has cooled, it is filtered. To increase the taste add a little honey. Take half a cup at a time after lunch and dinner. The broth should not be stored for more than two days.
4. There is a more complicated recipe that will help to cope with such a delicate problem as flatulence. To three-part chamomile in such proportions add: valerian root - 2 parts, caraway seeds - 5 parts. All components in a crushed form are mixed, poured with boiling water. Two tablespoons will need 400 ml of freshly removed water from the fire. Pour the plant, insist in a sealed container for 20 minutes. After filtering, you can take it. Such a tool is proposed to be used the first time before a night's sleep, the second - before breakfast. A one-time rate is 100 ml. This recipe helps to calm down, has a carminative effect and sedative.

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

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

Grind and mix all components, put in a thermos 3 tablespoons of the mixture, pour a liter of boiling water. Take 5 tablespoons a day until there is improvement.

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 performed to have beneficial effects on the skin, as well as to relax and rest the entire body.

Particularly well affects chamomile as a wellness component in such cases:

• inflammatory or allergic processes occur;
• cramps in the calf muscles appeared;
• the skin has become too dry and peeling;
• cracks in the feet formed;
• disturbing swelling of the legs;
• long impossible to fall asleep;
• there was constant irritability and nervousness.

To prepare a healing bath, you will need not only chamomile inflorescences, 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 cools slightly, strain and add to the bath. This procedure is 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 leucorrhoea, such a remedy is needed. Measure 5 g. chamomiles and oak bark, 15 gr. nettle and knotweed leaves - 25 gr. All ingredients are mixed and poured 2 tablespoons 200 gr. cold water. You need to insist 4 hours, then boil for 10 minutes. Use in the form of tampons and douching, but not during menstruation.

If the periods are painful, they prepare such a 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 the start and during menstruation. Norm: 3 times a day for 200 ml.

What side effects and contraindications does camomile have

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

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

Video: useful properties of chamomile