Chamomile: Nature's Ingredient To Healing Elixirs

Chamomile has been used for thousands of years in the treatment of various conditions. Ancient Egyptians extolled its healing properties.

Chamomile was first used in Europe in the 1600s and has been known to ease insomnia, back pain, neuralgia, nervousness, and rheumatism. Today, we have numerous forms of it available, but what is behind all of the hype?

Chamomile grows all over the world. Blossoms from the plant are used in making tea. The blossoms resemble tiny daisies and its aroma is sweet and mild. Chamomile has a light, sweet taste and mixes well with honey, cinnamon or other flavorings.

When taken as a tea, chamomile is known to relax smooth muscle tissue, which can facilitate calming of a nervous stomach and relief of menstrual cramps. It may also promote relaxation and stress relief.

Chamomile can be used externally in products such as skin creams, shampoos and body wash. External uses of chamomile include reducing inflammation of the skin, soothing hemorrhoids, clarifying and conditioning hair and skin, and relieving toothache. When the herb is also added to shampoo, in is known to brighten light colored hair.

Combined with bittersweet, chamomile can be used as an ointment to be applied to the skin for treating a host of conditions that include sprains, bruises, corns, and callouses.

Though claims regarding health benefits of chamomile have not been evaluated by the FDA, people who use chamomile on a regular basis often report its healing properties. The following are some possible benefits in using chamomile:

* regulates menstrual periods.
* improves the health of kidneys and the spleen
* alleviates common cold symptoms
* promotes relaxation and alleviates stress
* help to get to sleep
* improves digestion
* calms nervous stomach
* relieves toothache
* soothes skin irritations, including inflamed scalp
* improves symptoms associated with bronchitis and other upper respiratory illnesses
* helps symptoms associated with bladder afflictions
* detoxifies the body, expelling parasites, improving liver function and relieving jaundice
* reduces inflammation in the body, reducing swelling and pain and symptoms associated with rheumatism and other inflammatory illnesses
* provides possible relief to sufferers of back, neck, knee, and joint pain given the above
* helps with migraine type headaches and TMJ pain
* helps prevent gangrene

If you are suffering with pain of an unknown origin or if you have tried just about every other available remedy and you still continue to have problems, give chamomile a try. You may be surprised at the positive results. It is recommended that you use a quality form of loose tea in order to achieve the best possible outcome.

Upton Tea in Massachusetts (USA) sells high quality, moderately-priced loose tea and the company has a great product called "Egyptian Chamomile". If you are unable to find higher quality, loose chamomile, you may purchase pre-bagged tea. Celestial Seasonings makes a quality chamomile tea and the products are usually readily available on store shelves.