Advertisement
Suit vs paralysis
A special suit has been developed to help paralysed people to walk and climb stairs.
Hangover blues
A quick pint became a major boozing session and now you have the king of all hangovers.
     TERMS     GET A DAILY HEALTH TIP  
  
MAKE HEALTH24 YOUR HOMEPAGE   
H24 NEWS MEDICAL SCHEMES DIET FITNESS NATURAL MAN WOMAN SEX PREGNANCY CHILD TEEN SUN
FOCUS CENTRES MEDS ORAL PET MIND GRAPHICS VIDEOS ANTI-AGEING WIN TOOLS EXPERTS TALK FIND

Links
 Where to buy Good Hope soy products
 Water centre
 Detox diet
 Food as Medicine
 Vitamins & Minerals
 You are what you eat
 Go Hiking
 Get Walking
Herbs A-Z
To view other herbs:   
The tips of the flowers of the Chamomile herb have been used for centuries. Ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks used this herb to treat frayed nerves, inflammation and gastrointestinal complaints. The most commonly administered Chamomile is the German variety but it joins the English Chamomile as part of the Asteraceae, or daisy, family – a family that also includes Echinacea.

 
Advertisement
Animal studies have revealed the sedative and inflammation reducing qualities of Chamomile as well as its ability to reduce muscle spasm, while laboratory findings have revealed the herb’s antimicrobial properties, explaining its successful treatment of a variety of infections and skin conditions.

Other names
Camomile, matricaria, anthemis, ground apple, Roman camomile, garden camomile, low camomile, or whig plant.

Parts used
Flowering tops of the plant can be dried and used to make tea, or stemmed and crushed for the extraction of chamomile’s distinctive blue oil.

How does it work?
This blue chamomile oil has anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and anti-microbial activities, and as such, useful in reducing swelling and abating the growth of bacterial, fungi and viruses.

Pharmacological research shows that the chamomile constituent a-bisabolol, has ulcer-protective properties and the main anti-inflammatory agent is chamazulene.

As an anti-spasmodic herb, it works on the peripheral nerves and muscles, and so it indirectly relaxes the whole body.

What is chamomile used for?

  • Mouth ulcers
  • Colic
  • Diarrhoea
  • Eczema
  • Gingivitis
  • Indigestion and heartburn
  • Insomnia
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Peptic ulcer
  • Skin irritations
  • Eye irritation
  • Menstrual cramps
  • Anxiety
  • Arthritis
  • Skin wounds
  • Crohn's disease
  • Haemorrhoids
  • Migraine
  • Peptic ulcer

How to take chamomile

Children
Spasms or inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract: 30 to 60 drops of German chamomile liquid extract, undiluted or mixed in juice or water, three times daily.

Adult
Tea: 1 cup of boiling water over 1 heaping tablespoons of dried herb (or teabag) left to draw for 10 to 15 minutes.
Digestive problems: Drink three to four times per day between meals. Sedative: 1 cup of tea before bedtime

 
Print this article
 Rate this article
Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent

 JOBS
Civil Engineering Technician
Gauteng - Johannesburg
Staff Nurse
Western Cape
ICU Registered Nurse
Western Cape
Maternity Ward Nurse
Western Cape
Senior Financial Manager CA (SA)
R600,000-650,000 Per Annum Cost To Company
Gauteng - Johannesburg
Senior Financial Manager CA (SA)
R600,000-650,000 Per Annum Cost To Company
Gauteng - Johannesburg
Business Development Manager
R400,000-550,000 Per Annum Cost To Company
Gauteng - East Rand
Cost / Clinical Audit Clerk (Medical Aid)
Western Cape
Previous Next
 
Subscribe to...
*Daily tip
*Weekly tip
Want to subscribe to our newsletters?
Click here.
*Stand a chance to win R1000 every month!

 




 Sponsored links
 Health24 links

Advertisement
 Top Condition
 Centres

 

© Health24 2000-2008. All rights reserved
  
We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information.
Verify here.