If there’s one herb that almost everyone knows, it’s chamomile. Sweet and dainty, yet powerful and strong, chamomile is a staple in almost everyone’s home as a gentle, relaxing remedy that the entire family can use. Safe for babies all the way up to the elderly, chamomile is often a go-to herb when you just need some support or a warm cup of comfort. It’s delicate flavor hints at it’s wispy structure with an intricate, tiny flower with reaching long stems. Chamomile to me just embodies the whole of herbal medicine, and I make sure to never be without this herbal ally.
Energetically, Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is warm to neutral while being slightly drying. It’s filled with essential oils, flavonoids and sesquiterpenes and has a slightly sweet to bitter taste. It has traditionally been used for ulcers and inflammation around the stomach and has proven itself a mighty champion over the years of quelling inflammation all throughout the gastrointestinal tract. I have found chamomile to be my go-to herb for spasms and pain anywhere in the gut (especially the stomach or large intestines). Of course, it is also an excellent relaxant and nervine too! Helping to calm the mind and relax the muscles, chamomile is a classic “sleepy time” herb used in almost every calming herbal tea formula. And with it’s anti-inflammatory properties, chamomile it remarkably effective to use topically for eczema and psoriasis itchiness on the skin!
Chamomile can be made into a delicious herbal tea and sipped throughout the day for digestive support and calming stressful lives. It can also be taken as a tincture (hydroalcoholic extract) for really acute symptoms like stomach spasms or large intestine/bowel spasms. As a tincture, it can work it’s magic in minutes (versus a tea, which may take 30 minutes to an hour to have an effect on some people). If you get a little anxious or overwhelmed when traveling, keeping a small bottle of chamomile in your bag can be a real life saver. I NEVER travel without some chamomile tincture on me. Ever.
I find chamomile to be most helpful in people with IBS or other stress induced digestive troubles. They may be a little jittery or run cold to the touch. They hold their nerves in their stomach and can be kind of wound up most of the time. I’ve also used it often for babies while they’re teething by making chamomile ice cubes for them to suck on (works like a charm). It’s usually the first herb I think of for folks with dull, achy menstrual cramps as it’s a fantastic anti-spasmodic (and really safe to take in high doses as often as needed). Below is a delicious chamomile based tea formula that I love for spring!
Calming Chamomile Tea
2 teaspoons chamomile
1/2 teaspoon lemon balm
1/2 teaspoon peppermint
1/2 teaspoon lavender
Blend together and steep in 2 cups of hot water for 7-10 minutes, covered. Sip consciously and in a peaceful place.
