15 PROPERTIES OF CHAMOMILE FOR HEALTH - ECONOMÍA - 2025

There are several health properties of chamomile: it relieves skin problems, improves cardiovascular health, prevents cancer, treats the common cold, relieves hemorrhoids, calms anxiety, fights infections and others that I will explain below.

Chamomile is one of the most popular herbs in the world, and has been used for thousands of years as a medicine to relieve nerves, settle the stomach, for skin problems, among many other uses.

There are two types of chamomile: German chamomile and Roman chamomile. While the two are believed to have similar effects, the German variety is the most common.

Health benefits of chamomile

1- It acts as an anti-inflammatory

A study in human volunteers demonstrated that chamomile flavonoids and essential oils penetrate beneath the deepest layers of the skin, allowing their use as a topical antiphlogistic (anti-inflammatory) agent.

2- Prevents cancer

Most evaluations of tumor growth inhibition by chamomile involve studies with apigenin, which is one of the bioactive constituents of chamomile.

A study by the Department of Urology at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland (USA), demonstrated the inhibitory effects of apigenin in prostate cancer.

Thus, there is also other research on preclinical models of the skin, breast and ovary that have shown promising effects as inhibitors of tumor growth.

3- Treat the common cold

A study by Saller, Beschorner, and colleagues indicates that steam inhalation with chamomile extract has been helpful in common cold symptoms.

4- Improves cardiovascular conditions

Chamomile contains flavonoids, rich in antioxidants and significantly associated with reducing the risk of death from coronary heart disease in elderly men.

This is drawn from research by the National Institute for Public Health and Environmental Protection in the Netherlands.

However, more research is needed to make a stronger recommendation on this condition.

5- Relieves colic

There are clinical trials that have evaluated the effectiveness of chamomile for the treatment of colic in children. In one of these studies, chamomile tea was combined with other herbs (German chamomile, verbena, licorice, fennel, peppermint balm) and after 7 days of treatment, parents reported that the tea eliminated colic by 57%.

6- Eliminate diarrhea

The Natural Products Research division and the Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences of Aga Khan University, concluded in their study that chamomile acts effectively against diarrheal syndrome.

However, more human studies are needed to make a firm recommendation.

7- Relieves skin problems

Eczema, a skin condition characterized by redness and itching, can be alleviated with applications of chamomile or creams with chamomile extracts.

The University of Bonn Venusberg in Germany conducted a trial in which they applied three different ointments to the skin, the most effective being the one containing chamomile.

8- Helps to carry a good digestion

Chamomile is especially helpful in dissipating gas, as well as relaxing the muscles in the intestines that move food.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, letting 1 cup of boiling water and 4 grams of dried chamomile herb steep for 15 minutes helps with the digestion of meals.

9- Relieves hemorrhoids

In a clinical trial from the Department of Surgical Disciplines of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, India, scientists concluded that those patients with acute internal hemorrhoids treated with flavonoids had a rapid cessation of bleeding and a lower risk of bleeding. relapse.

10- Calm anxiety

Chamomile has been used throughout history as a "nerve calming" as indicated by research results suggesting that this species may have modest anxiolytic activity in patients with mild to moderate anxiety disorder.

In this article you can learn how to control anxiety.

11-Decreases the signs of polycystic ovary syndrome

Although there is still no research in humans, the team from the Health Research Center of the University of Medical Sciences of Tehran (Iran), evaluated the effects of chamomile in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome.

The result showed that chamomile was able to decrease its signs and additionally produce endometrial tissue fixes as another of its therapeutic effects.

12- Relieves menstrual pain

Farideh and his colleagues also affirmed in their study that "the antispasmodic properties of chamomile relieve menstrual pain", so it can be considered a great ally of women.

Here are some natural remedies to relieve menstrual pain.

13- Relax the muscles

Whether in a massage balm or drinking several cups of tea a day, one of the main benefits of chamomile is to relax the muscles of the body.

14- Helps fight diabetes

The results of a study carried out at the Toyama University Hospital (Japan) clearly suggest that daily consumption of chamomile tea could contribute to the prevention and progress of hyperglycemia and diabetic complications.

More research is still needed to support this study.

15- Fight infections

In a study published by the American Chemical Society's Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry involving fourteen volunteers, they found that tea appeared to boost the immune system and fight infection.

Precautions

• There are reports of allergic reactions in people who have eaten or come in contact with chamomile products. Reactions can include skin rash, sore throat, shortness of breath, and anaphylaxis. Anyone who is allergic to other members of the daisy family, including ragweed, is surely allergic to chamomile.
• Pregnancy: Roman chamomile is believed to cause uterine contractions that can lead to miscarriage, which is why the US National Institutes of Health recommends that pregnant and nursing mothers do not consume it.
• Ask your doctor before giving chamomile tea to a child. Children under the age of 5 should have no more than half a cup of tea a day. To relieve colic, some doctors suggest taking 30 to 60 ml of tea a day.

Recipes

Drinks with chamomile

1. Chamomile smoothie with banana and strawberries

• 1 cup of cold chamomile
• 1.5 cups frozen strawberries
• 1 small frozen banana (or banana)
• 1 small piece of ginger (optional)

Pour all the ingredients into a blender and enjoy a rich, nutritious and healthy smoothie.

1. Chamomile latte

• ¾ cup of filtered water
• ¾ cup cashew milk (or your favorite non-dairy milk)
• 2-3 chamomile tea bags (depending on how strong you like the tea)
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Small pinch of fine sea salt

Add the water to a small saucepan, cover with a lid, and bring to a boil over high heat.

Turn off the heat and add the chamomile tea bags. Cover the saucepan and let the tea steep for 5-7 minutes if you want it to be very strong.

Remove the tea bags and add the non-dairy milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt.

Turn the heat back on and stir continuously until the mixture is hot but not boiling.

Turn off the heat, pour into your favorite mug, and enjoy. This coffee-tea is great for the afternoon-evening.

1. Chamomile lemonade iced tea

• 2 teaspoons loose leaves or 2 chamomile tea bags
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 1/3 cup lemon juice (from 3 limes)
• Lemon wedges, for serving

Brew tea in 2 cups of boiling water for 4 minutes, strain or remove the bag. Let cool completely. Combine the sugar and 1/2 cup of the water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring, until the sugar dissolves.

Let cool completely and then combine with lemon juice and tea in a pitcher. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve over ice garnished with lemon wedges.

Chamomile-based skin preparations

1. Relief after sun

• 1 cold cup of chamomile tea (strong)
• 1/4 cup of aloe vera juice
• 10 drops of lavender essential oil

Make the tea and let it cool. Add aloe vera and essential oil and pour it into a spray bottle. Spread on sunburns when needed. Store in the refrigerator during the season.

1. Relaxing and anti-inflammatory mask

• ½ cup oatmeal
• ¼ cup of chamomile tea (strong)
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 2 tablespoons white sugar (optional)

Start by making a cup of chamomile tea. In a bowl add the oats, baking soda and honey. Add 2 tablespoons of tea to the bowl and reserve.

If the mixture is too dry, add a little more tea until you reach the desired consistency. Now add the white sugar (optional) and mix well.

Wash your face and apply with your fingers, spreading the preparation and thus cover it completely. Let it rest for 5 minutes.

It is advisable to prepare it and apply it in the shower since the process can be quite messy. Once you've let it sit for a while, rinse off the mask and apply a little moisturizer.

1. Scrub to calm the skin

• 1 bag of chamomile tea
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ½ cup white sugar

Start by emptying the contents of the tea bag into a container. Add the white sugar and olive oil to the bowl and mix well. Store the mixture in an airtight container.

Rinse your face with lukewarm water. Using two fingers, apply the mask evenly over the entire face, in circular motions. Make sure to avoid sensitive areas around the eyes.

Once the mask has been applied, let it sit for 10-20 minutes. Proceed to rinse the face with cold water and dry it afterwards.

Interesting facts about chamomile

• The name "chamomile" originates from the Greek words "chamos", which means "earth" and "Milos", which means "apple." Chamomile is so named because it grows close to the ground and smells like apple.
• Chamomile is one of the oldest of all herbs, dating back to the ancient Egyptians. Chamomile was actually used for the mummification process in ancient Egypt.
• The monks also propagated the medicinal properties of chamomile.
• The alchemists of Europe began the extraction of essential oil from these herbs through distillation.
• Homemade chamomile tea can be used to lighten blonde hair and is used to dye fabrics yellow.
• Chamomile seats were a popular feature of the gardens of Elizabethan England. Also, chamomile lawns were common in the 17th century, before the modern invention of grass lawns.
• For centuries, chamomile has been used as a mouthwash to ward off bad breath.
• The small flies are the main insect-visitors of the flowers that pollinate the flower.
• Chamomile is used in a number of unusual ways such as to spray diseased plants or to tone facial skin.

What other properties do you know of chamomile?

References

1. University of Maryland Medical Center umm.edu
2. Dose dependence for symptomatic relief of discomfort from inhaling chamomile vapor in patients with the common cold. Saller R, Beschomer M, Hellenbrecht D.