All You Need To Know About Chamomile
Do you have trouble sleeping? Or is your stomach giving too much trouble? Feeling anxious? Do you want clear skin? There is one solution to all these problems — chamomile.
Chamomile is a type of daisy plant that is packed with antioxidants such as polyphenols and phytochemicals. It is primarily used to treat aging problems, including dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles.
When setting yourself for a good night’s sleep, chamomile tea is the perfect prerequisite. It instills a sense of calm before bedtime which relaxes our nerves. So, if you have trouble sleeping, drink away your problems with this tea.
Chamomile is also beneficial for our skin. Just like it keeps our body calm, it can also benefit our skin. Applying chamomile cream can prevent acne and smoothen the skin to protect it from free radicals.
Its use has been recorded in ancient medical writings. Chamomile has been mentioned as an important medicinal herb in ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt.
Since it has been used as a trusted ingredient for a very long time, it is important to discuss why it is beneficial for us. Read along to know more.
CONTENT INDEX
- Everything you need to know about chamomile
- Reasons for using chamomile
- How do we use chamomile?
- Are there any side effects?
Facts About Chamomile You Probably Didn't Know
Chamomile or camomile is the common name for several daisy-like plants of the Asteraceae family. Chamomile petals have been commonly used to make herbal infusions for beverages for thousands of years.
It has been valued as a digestive relaxant that gives relief from various gastric issues such as indigestion, diarrhea, anorexia, motion sickness, nausea and vomiting. It can also be given to reduce fever in children.
This soothing plant goes all the way to protect the skin too. If you pay close attention to the ingredients lists, many of the beauty and skincare products contain chamomile. All thanks to its soothing and calming nature.
Where is it found?
Chamomile is authentic to the Southern and Eastern parts of Europe. It is grown in:
- Germany
- Hungary
- Russia
- Brazil
- France
- Australia
- New Zealand
It found its way to India through the Mughal emperors. Since then, it has always been in demand for its magical calming qualities on the body and skin.
Next, let us look at some of the benefits of chamomile for our skin.
You Need To Use Chamomiles Because..
It reduces redness
One of the benefits of chamomile to the skin is to reduce inflammation and redness. Chamomile has an anti-inflammatory property that achieves this. Redness is a side effect of any underlying inflammation. Chamomile is best for these cases as it soothes the skin and reduces skin irritation and itching.
It soothes sensitive skin
Chamomile is also used as a cream to calm your skin especially if you have a sensitive one. It blocks signals in the body from agents known as prostaglandins, which are responsible for inflammation. This makes it a great ingredient for people with sensitive skin, which often gets inflamed. It is also a good option for skin conditions such as rosacea.
Anti-aging
Chamomile is packed with antioxidants, which is responsible for getting rid of signs of aging. It has been long used in medicine for this purpose, all thanks to the abundance of flavonoids and phytochemicals in chamomile. These nutrients fight against harmful radicals and increase collagen production. Collagen is an important element to regenerate new cells and restore youthful, glowing skin. It also improves fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.
Relieves inflammation
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, chamomile is used in skincare products to reduce skin inflammation. In fact it protects skin from sun damage, and keeps the sunburns at bay. This is why a cold pressed brewed chamomile tea is placed on the sunburn area and can immediately help in recovery.
Now let us see how we can use chamomile.
How to Use Chamomile
Chamomile, consumed as tea right before sleep, can give amazing results. To make the tea, wash and boil a few chamomile flowers in water and strain them to get hot tea — this is usually transparent in color.
You can also use essential oils for your body. They can be obtained from the chamomile flowers and can be used for inhaling or massaging. This is best for headaches, body pain and muscle pulls.
A homemade chamomile tincture can be used to calm any irritation or redness on the skin. For this, you need to mix chamomile flowers in ethanol water at room temperature and let it evaporate. Even for cough and colds, chamomile water can be used for gargling.
Viscous chamomile extracts are added to make gels, ointments, and creams. Dry chamomile extracts are used to make pills, capsules, and tablets.
Thus, chamomile is a versatile solution for many of our body problems.
Though it has excellent healing properties, one must also be aware of its potential side effects.
Side Effects Of Using Chamomile
Some people can be allergic to chamomile. They can develop allergic reactions, itching and, in worst cases, dermatitis, if they come in contact with the plant. Also, consuming concentrated chamomile tea can be nauseous and may cause vomiting. High consumption can also lead to blood thinning and spontaneous bleeding in the body. Since it is sedative in nature, it should be avoided first thing in the morning. It is better for pregnant and breastfeeding women to avoid this herb.
Though it has potential side effects, it can still be used in moderation for our skin and body benefits. If you are looking for skincare products containing chamomile, then check out our skin range from Tuco Intelligent.
This fun, whipped soap with the goodness of chamomile is a must buy for kids!
