Chamomile infusion: benefits and harms, best recipes, contraindications and use

Since ancient times, infusion or chamomile tea has been actively used in medicine. Today, the plant is finding new uses. In this article we will consider what the benefits and harms of chamomile tea are, and everything you need to know about this medicinal flower.

Where daisy lives

A simple-looking flower in their practice was used by both Avicenna and Hippocrates. Hundreds of years have passed, and chamomile, as before, occupies the first place of honor in naturopathy. Despite the fact that this botanical genus is quite extensive, only 2 plant species are used for medicinal purposes:

1. Roman daisy - it is found in Argentina, North America and Europe. This perennial plant has a strong odor. It is widely used for the production of aromatic oils and decorative purposes.
2. Pharmacy chamomile is an annual, most common plant. It grows on all continents in a temperate climate.

Plant composition

The infusion and decoction of chamomile, the benefits and harms of which are described in detail in this article, contain an incredible amount of nutrients. Among the most healing:

1. Bisabolol , which relieves inflammation, skin irritation, and also has antimicrobial properties. Studies have shown that it can also alleviate the symptoms of leukemia. Bisabolol, when taken orally, reduces the production of pepsin, and this happens without getting into the synthesis of the remaining components of the gastric juice.
2. Apigenin actively helps the functioning of the nervous system, fights various inflammatory processes, stimulates the synthesis of neurons. There is evidence that apigenin also stops the development of cancer. Interestingly, apigenin is completely non-toxic to the body when even large doses are consumed.
3. Flavonoids are unique natural antioxidants, antiviral and antimicrobial agents.
4. Kamazulen is an antiseptic found in chamomile, yarrow and wormwood.
5. Coumarin - reduces blood coagulation, promotes the release of excess uric acid through urine and alleviates asthma symptoms.
6. Sesquiterpenes - are anthelmintic substances that chamomile contains.
   

Benefit and harm: beneficial properties

The main medicinal properties of this plant include:

• Antispasmodic and antidiarrheal: the substances that make up the plant can cope with pathogenic microflora, and also eliminate intestinal muscle spasms.
• Anti-inflammatory: chamomile products can stop infections almost before the eyes. At the same time, the external use of a healing plant will help well with abscesses, poorly healing wounds, gum disease, eczema and rashes.
• Anticancer: studies have shown that chamomile can destroy cancer cells without negatively affecting the body’s function.
• Soothing: the plant acts on receptors that are responsible for the inhibition processes that occur in the nervous system, and also harmonizes the transmission of signals between neurons. In this case, the flower is not addictive.
• Antisclerotic: an ordinary-looking plant significantly reduces blood cholesterol, which is very important for various heart diseases.
• Anticoagulant: the flower inhibits coagulation, it is useful for thrombosis, as well as related conditions.
  

Contraindications

Chamomile infusion, the benefits and harms of which have been known to mankind for many years, has a number of contraindications. Many people realize that flaws are a direct continuation of strengths. So, no matter how chamomile is healing for health, its use must be completely excluded or limited under the following conditions:

• An allergy to ragweed. It is worth noting that ragweed and chamomile belong to the general botanical family, while intolerance to one remedy can lead to allergies to the second. If ragweed pollen makes you choke and sneeze, start using chamomile preparations with small doses and monitor any negative effects.
• Chamomile activates the action of all anticoagulants - when they are taken, this must be taken into account.
• Breastfeeding - until now, the effect of chamomile on lactation has been poorly studied.
• If you are about to undergo surgery , a couple of weeks before it, you need to stop using chamomile preparations. Due to this, you can avoid bleeding that can occur due to poor coagulation.
• When chamomile is used, sedatives and anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs to normalize heart rhythm and blood pressure are more active, which requires a mandatory dose adjustment - thanks to this you can avoid drowsiness, hypotension and apathy.

Just note that today it is not known what will happen if you take a long period (more than a month) of chamomile infusion. The benefits and harms for men are also not exactly understood, but it can be said for certain that taking the product for longer than 4 weeks can cause irritability, fatigue and weakness; it’s better not to check these risks on your own body.

Camomile tea

What else is interesting about chamomile? Harm and benefit (the use of chamomile infusion can cause both) is determined by its composition, method of use and the presence of contraindications. When using funds based on it, be sure to first study all the recommendations.

Flower preparations exist in various forms, the most popular being the infusion of chamomile. The benefits and harms of it for the human body are best studied today, and it takes several minutes to cook.

Below we describe the most frequent indications for the use of this infusion, methods of preparation and dose.

Infusion for children

Light infusion of chamomile treats colic in young children. Pour a teaspoon of dried material with a glass of boiling water, close the vessel with a lid and remove for half an hour. Filter the resulting product, and dilute the infusion with water - it will turn pale yellow. We give the baby a drink every time after eating: drinking will eliminate bloating and fermentation in the intestines.

Plain infusion

To prepare such a chamomile infusion, the benefits and harms of which are described in this article, you need to follow the same recipe as the drink above, but at the same time take 2 teaspoons of the material at once in a thermos or sealed container for 2-3 hours.

Internal Medicine

The usual concentration of infusion is used:

• For prolonged periods, menstrual cramps: 100 ml 4 times a day.
• With flatulence, digestive disorders, spasms, colic - 70 ml the same number of times.
• 100 ml of this infusion is drunk once at night - this contributes to a quick fall asleep. Such a harmless remedy for the nervous system can be used if you want to have a good rest before a difficult day.
• With a runny nose, stomatitis, and acute inflammatory pathology of the respiratory tract, rinse your mouth with a glass of this infusion - at least 4 times a day.
• With vulvitis, colpitis and thrush, douching with infusion diluted with water (1: 1) can be useful. Usually a liter of water is used for the procedure.
• Athletes, especially people working out in the gym, will also need chamomile infusion. The benefits and harm for men in this case are obvious from him - warm compresses with a wrapping agent will be effective for bruises or sprains, although they will help only from the 2nd day after the injury.
• The infusion can also be used with conjunctivitis for washing the eyes.
• Cleansing enemas with the drug will help with bowel problems, including hemorrhoids, as well as constipation.

Treatment of skin pathologies

With boils, acne, and ulcers, chamomile infusion is also used (its benefits and harms are already known to you). The product is soaked in a clean cotton cloth and applied - like lotions - to the affected areas.

For rashes on the skin, eczema and dermatitis, use an infusion of 60 ml orally three times a day. They also make baths with chamomile (by the way, they even bathe babies in them). In this case, 100 grams of material is taken on a bucket of boiling water.

You can freeze the infusion of chamomile in the refrigerator. In this case, you get an excellent tool for washing in the morning. Chamomile ice rejuvenates, tones the skin, with acne vulgaris reduces inflammation, smoothes wrinkles and brightens circles under the eyes. It is worth noting that for the use of such a remedy there is also a contraindication - rosacea.

The next effective way to deal with circles under the eyes is to cover them every day for 5 minutes with cotton pads moistened with chamomile infusion. In the same way, you can quickly eliminate the swelling of the eyes.

If the hair has become brittle, has lost its shine, is split and falls out, chamomile infusion should be used as a conditioner after shampoo. In this case, pour about a liter of infusion onto the head and gently spread it through the hair. Further, it is advisable to avoid drying with a hairdryer, allowing the hair to dry on its own.

If your feet sweat a lot, dip them in a basin with infusion before bedtime. The effect will help strengthen the oak bark (apply with chamomile in equal proportions). Daily half-hour baths allow you to remove the fungus, heal minor injuries on the fingers and feet of a poorly made pedicure, and also restore skin tone.

Features a strong broth

In severe skin diseases, the strength of the infusion may not be enough: a decoction of chamomile is needed. To do this, 4 tablespoons of the material is poured with a liter of hot water, removed to a fire, the liquid is brought to a boil again, and then left on the stove for 10 minutes. Allow to cool, and then filtered through cheesecloth. It is worth noting that it is better not to take such a decoction of chamomile inside. Its benefits and harms are due to too high concentration.

It is believed that the decoction and infusion in the refrigerator do not retain their properties for long - up to three days. Therefore, it is better to avoid liquid storage for future use.

Oil infusion

An unusual recipe for chamomile is considered an oil infusion (oil). An easy way to cook it is cold.

For this we need: 1 cup of raw materials and 3 cups of oil under your skin (grape seed, almond, olive, sunflower). Fill the grass with oil in a glass jar and remove to insist for two weeks. Coolness and darkness are a great choice for insisting. Sometimes we shake the container and wait for the flowers in it to settle to the bottom.

As soon as this happens, filter the product and store it for no longer than a year, using it as necessary - to remove makeup, in various masks, on hair for wraps, to soften weathered skin.

Chamomile: medicinal properties and contraindications for tea

Sometimes (about a couple of times a week) you can drink chamomile infusion as tea. This drink will contribute to calming and relaxation, as well as enhance immunity, thereby helping the body fight back various chronic infections. Consider a few tea recipes:

1. Classic tea: brew a teaspoon of raw materials in a glass of hot water, boil and let it brew for 20 minutes. Do not often take such a decoction of chamomile inside - its benefits and harm can replace each other from an overabundance of this remedy in the body. Sugar is not used in herbal teas: drink it with some sweet dates, honey, raisins or dried apricots.
2. Chamomile-melissa tea. Mix herbs in 0.5 tablespoons and brew a glass of boiling water. Such a drink will be useful for intestinal colic and colds.
3. Mint and chamomile tea. To a spoon of chamomile you need to add a spoonful of mint. This drink has a sedative effect and has no negative side effects.
4. Interesting benefits and harm for women of chamomile tea. The drink below helps to cleanse the body, helps to endure the feeling of hunger - this is true if you follow a diet to reduce weight. A set of herbs: mix 4 herbs - mint, chamomile, clover and St. John's wort - in the same amount per teaspoon, brew with water.

So we told you about a wonderful remedy - this infusion. You have learned what good and harm it is, so you can start healing right now!