The Magical Benefits of Organic Chamomile

Chamomile is a flowering plant in the daisy family which was originally found in Europe and Western Asia. There are two types of chamomile plants: German chamomile and Roman chamomile. German chamomile is considered the more potent variety which is widely used for medicinal purposes.

Chamomile is so beneficial because it contains more than 120 chemical constituents, many of which are pharmacologically active. They include anti-inflammatory chamazulene, bisabolol, apigenin, and luteolin. The strongest evidence for the herb suggests that chamomile might help treat anxiety, insomnia, hemorrhoids, and other health conditions caused due to them. Let us have a look at chamomile’s varied health benefits.

Insomnia

Chamomile is one of the best natural therapies for promoting sleep and treating insomnia. It contains apigenin which binds at the same receptor sites in the brain as benzodiazepines. Apigenin is a phytonutrient that acts as a strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral.

Another research demonstrated that chamomile can prolong the sleeping time akin to sleep-inducing drugs like barbiturates. The calming properties of chamomile in the certified organic baby wash products ensure a refreshing bath to babies, keeping them happy and relaxed all through the day.

Anxiety

Research has shown chamomile has substantive benefits when it comes to reducing anxiety. Scientific research bodies that assess the effectiveness of natural remedies based on scientific evidence have found that it may have mild anti-anxiety effects in people with general anxiety disorder, which is one of the most common disorders today.

Stomach ailments

Studies suggest that chamomile inhibits the growth of Helicobacter pylori bacteria that contribute to stomach ulcers. Chamomile helps reduce muscle spasms caused by various gastrointestinal inflammatory disorders like inflammatory bowel disease.

Chamomile extracts have strong anti-diarrhoeal and antioxidant properties. A study on patients with acute diarrhea found that a commercial product containing a combination of other ingredients besides chamomile flower extract was easily tolerated, safe, and as effective as conventional therapies.

Chamomile has shown qualities that provide relief against inflammation, spasms, flatulence, and protect against the bacteria that cause stomach ulcers. Chamomile is considered as a safe and useful remedy for stomach ailments in many cultures.

Healing wounds

Studies show that topically applied chamomile may promote faster wound healing. Substances in chamomile like bisabolol can kill viruses and bacteria which are responsible for causing infections and inflammation. One preliminary study that compared chamomile and corticosteroids for treating ulcers in test tubes and animals concluded that chamomile can prevent and treat the growth of ulcers effectively.

Skin conditions

Chamomile is often used to treat mild skin irritations, including sunburn, rashes, and sores. Topical applications of chamomile have been shown to be quite effective in the treatment of eczema. When applied on the skin, chamomile helps relieve skin irritation and promote wound healing.

Chamomile is superior to hydrocortisone in the therapeutic healing of skin eczema and skin lesions after surgical procedure. In certified organic baby wash products, chamomile works as a wonderful ingredient that protects and gently cleanses the baby’s super delicate skin.

Diabetes

Drinking chamomile tea can lower blood sugar in people suffering from diabetes. In one experiment, participants who consumed chamomile tea three times a day after meals for 2-3 months saw significantly decreased markers for diabetes as well as total cholesterol compared to people who drank water. It was also observed to help in reducing obesity. However, the positive effects go away after stopping their intake. This means chamomile has to be taken on a continuous basis to reap its benefits.

Oral health

Chamomile contains luteolin, a phytonutrient with potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Due to this, chamomile mouthwash has been found to be effective in reducing gingivitis and plaque. A mouth rinse with chamomile might also relieve mouth sores caused by cancer treatments.

If you are under any medication, keep in mind that chamomile in any form should be taken as a supplement to, and not as a replacement for your usual medication. Talk to your doctor before taking chamomile in case you are taking any type of medicine. Also, chamomile shouldn’t be used two weeks before or after surgery as it may induce bleeding.

Since German chamomile might act like estrogen in the body, you should not consume it without consulting your doctor, particularly if you have conditions that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen. These include hormone-sensitive conditions like breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, uterine cancer, or uterine fibroids.

Chamomile has been used as an herbal remedy since 500 BC, during the time of Hippocrates, who is regarded as the father of modern medicine. The list of conditions for which it has been used is endless. It includes fever, headaches, kidney, liver, and bladder problems too. Historically, it was used to treat disorders of the female reproductive system.