While many of us enjoy sipping chamomile tea, you probably aren’t aware of the many useful benefits of this herb! I love drinking chamomile for its soothing and calming effects, especially on a cold winter night, but I was surprised to learn about its many other amazing properties. Being a health and mindfulness enthusiast, I knew I had to share this information here too…
This fragrant herb is actually a weed, growing here in North America along pathways, garden edges, and roadsides. Though chamomile is often made into a tea, the flower heads can in fact be eaten raw, added into salads, smoothies, cakes, and muffin recipes to name a few. It contains vitamins A, C, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
As mentioned before, drinking chamomile soothes the nervous system and acts as a mild sedative, making it perfect to drink before bed to help you get a restful night sleep. The fragrance itself is quite calming and can help with sleep by allowing you to fall asleep faster, it can also help with stress, anxiety and nervousness.
Interestingly, Steve Johnson author of “The Essence of Healing”, claims chamomile’s essence can be used “when we feel a lack of harmony with our physical environment or with nature”. He indicates the essence helps us maintain a calm awareness of ourselves and our surroundings, and promotes harmony between humans and the Earth. Many people use chamomile as an infused oil, or in a foot soak or facial steam as aromatherapy.
Wild chamomile is also useful in aiding with digestion, heart burn, nausea, stomach aches and cramping. Externally, it works well as an anti-inflammatory for a wound, for achy sore muscles and joints, and even for arthritis, as it has some mild pain-relieving properties too. If your skin tends to get dry, itchy or irritated, a warm bath with chamomile in it can begin to soothe and calm the skin. This time of year, chamomile can be taken to help with colds, flus, and sore throats.
Hopefully this has inspired you to think deeper about all the wonderful benefits of this fragrant herb, and perhaps to appreciate your favourite cup of tea a little more.
Note: please make sure to consult your naturopath or medical doctor prior to taking chamomile to ensure it is right for you.
Mindfulness by Paula 