Medicine in your garden series - Chamomile

With 3 forms of chamomile to use, tea, oil and herb, there really is no reason for not taking your medicine!

• Tea: just to drink for its relaxing and digestive properties, you can also use the tea in baths as a gentle herbal treatment for children, or to add to body creams to thin them into lighter creams or into lotions for applying to eczema and skin rashes
• Herb: can be used internally and externally as prescribed by a herbalist or naturopath
• Essential oil: use the essential oils in skin care, baths, vaporisers and in perfumes

In whichever form, chamomile is sedative to the nervous system. Other uses of this versatile herb include: anti-inflammatory, anti-itch, anti-ulcer, antioxidant and wound healing.

When to use chamomile

This herb is specifically indicated traditionally for the following:

• Gastrointestinal disorders including food sensitivities, indigestion, colitis, gastritis, IBS and ulceration
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Asthma
• Hayfever
• Painful periods and menstrual cramping,

Care needed

Just a reminder however, that even natural medicines need care. Always tell your doctor of any supplements you are taking. Care should be exercised using chamomile in the following situations:

• with benzodiazepines, there may be an additive effect and the two should only be combined under supervision of a qualified practitioner
• with blood thinning medications such as warfarin

It should not be used:

• when there is a known or suspected allergy to chamomile or the daisy family.
• in pregnancy as safety has not been established.

Maria Mitchell - Aromatherapist and Herbalist

Maria Mitchell is a fully qualified Aromatherapist and Herbalist whose passion has led her into teaching, and writing about the healing power of Aromatherapy. You can learn more about Maria here Join Maria in her Healthy Ways for Pain Relief Workshop and learn a multifaceted approach to pain relief for yourself and your family – and much much more.