I am June True chamomile is in full bloom, but few people know that its healing power is most intense at this time. The small white flowers with a distinctive scent are much more than a well-known home remedy. Harvested and processed correctly, chamomile can be a lifesaver for skin problems, stomach problems and inner restlessness. In this article we will show you what to pay attention to when harvesting, which active ingredients are particularly strong and how to use chamomile specifically for your health.
How to recognize real chamomile?
True chamomile can be found along roadsides, in fields or in gardens in early summer. The flower can be recognized by the downward-hanging calyx-shaped flowers which, unlike the daisy, are not aligned horizontally, but rather point downwards. However, it is very likely to be confused with dog chamomile. But this doesn’t smell like chamomile. So you should definitely use your sense of smell when it comes to identification. Mainly the flowers of true chamomile are used. They should be collected when the flowers of the calyx are curved downwards. Another important identifying feature is the characteristic cavity inside the chamomile flower. To determine this, you can carefully open a flower with your fingers.
In addition to true chamomile, there are also a number of other chamomiles that may look very similar to true chamomile on the outside, but have no medicinal uses. Only rayless chamomile, which lacks the white petals, can be used in a similar way to true chamomile. Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile L.), beach chamomile (Matricaria maritima L. sensu stricto), odorless chamomile (Matricaria inodora L.) or common dog chamomile (Anthemis arvensis L.) have little naturopathic significance.
The wild herbs of summer
In our new summer edition you will find an overview of the most important wild herbs and medicinal plants of the summer Magazine of the Cantina delle Erbe (available here). In addition to recipes and home remedies you will also find many inspirations from the world of wild herbs. Our magazines are available in paper and digital formats in our herbalist’s shop www.die-moderne-Kräuterhexe.de available.
Chamomile in naturopathy
Inhalation with chamomile is recommended for respiratory diseases. Essential oils can have an antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal and wound healing effect. It can also help with stomach problems and sleep disorders. It is best known in the form of chamomile for stomach problems, but it has been used for centuries in folk medicine and also has a firm place in naturopathic medicine and herbal medicine. They are also prized for their healing properties. The essential oils bisabolol and chamazulene, mucilagebut the flavonoids also make them so valuable. By the way, the flowers cannot be drunk only as tea. Chamomile compresses can also be very beneficial when applied externally and can help with inflammation or fungus. Especially in dentistry, cold infusion rinses can be used in case of canker sores or inflammation of the gums.
Chamomile for dental problems
True chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is also appreciated in dentistry above all for its anti-inflammatory, calming, antibacterial and healing properties. Of particular interest are the essential oils it contains (bisabolol and chamazulene), mucilages and flavonoids. In dentistry it is used both in ready-made medicines available in pharmacies. But you can also use it as a home remedy. So a cold infusion is usually used as a mouthwash for gum inflammation or sensitive gums. True chamomile may also be useful as a rinse to inhibit plaque growth.
Its use against canker sores is little known, but also very interesting. Here you can prepare a particularly strong infusion, for which pour a spoonful of flowers into 150 ml of water, leave it to infuse covered for ten minutes and, after cooling it, apply it to the canker sore with a cotton ball. This process can then be repeated several times a day until relief occurs. In case of gum inflammation or for wound care after dental surgery, cold chamomile can also be used for rinsing. This is achieved by using a full teaspoon of freshly picked flowers per cup or by preparing an infusion of dried flowers.
Smoothie made from chamomile flowers in stressful situations
Chamomile is not only suitable for infusion or external use. Other possible uses include chamomile flowers in one Herbal lemonadeas they are very aromatic. But my favorite recipe is a chamomile smoothie, which can provide relief, especially in situations of tension and stress. I mix it with:
- 8-10 chamomile flowers
- a banana
- and about 200 ml of cashew milk
It has a very tasty flavor and is also suitable for children. This smoothie could especially help those who are often nervous or have difficulty unplugging. Bananas stimulate the production of serotonin, but they also contain a lot of magnesium. Cashews contain tryptophan, which is also involved in the production of serotonin. The effect of chamomile is comparable to that of benzodiazepines because the active ingredients are supposed to attach to the same receptors. This was effective in around 80% of test subjects, who were able to fall asleep faster and better with chamomile.
How do you collect flowers?
To collect the flowers, scissors and a cloth bag are recommended. They usually grow on the edges of wheat fields, as chamomile naturally grows there as a “weed”. In the summer I dry them on the balcony in the shade and use a baking tray. It must be ensured that the field has not been sprayed.
Why collect chamomile yourself?
Of course, you value tea herbs that you collect yourself much more than those that you buy. Plus they don’t cost anything. But there is another even more important reason. Supermarket chamomile tea is usually heavily contaminated with pesticides. Even organic chamomile is not a guarantee. What is important here is where chamomile comes from. By the way, I brought my mother a bouquet of chamomile flowers, which she then integrated into her bouquet of carnations. It looked beautiful and you can make a cup of fresh chamomile from the bouquet every day.
latest posts published
Elegance and versatility for your table
Plant shelf: transform your interior!
creative tips for your stay
Comfort and style at home
mix styles and dishes!
Transform your interiors with elegant pastel colors
Give a unique Boncoeurs gift
Olfactory elegance: reinvent your interiors
Brighten up your windowless space: effective tips
