The lovely lady Chamomile
For many, chamomile is likely one of the first herbs you may have ever used – maybe your grandmother, like mine, offered a cup of it sweetened with honey to settle a tummy ache or quiet down after a busy day. And perhaps you may be chuckling that a tea so commonly used for children could be valuable for stressed out grown ups too?
Don’t let the sweet little white petals and cheery yellow center fool you – this cherished herb has been been studied extensively for a variety of uses and is quite the powerhouse. It has been shown to be effective as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal activities, angiogenesis activity, anticarcinogenic, hepatoprotective, and antidiabetic effects. Its also beneficial for knee osteoarthritis, ulcerative colitis, premenstrual syndrome, and gastrointestinal disorders. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5074766/).
Valuable both internally and as a topical wash, this is one herb that is worth having around and is considered safe for young and old. That good night sleep is likely because so many other systems in your body are benefiting from its properties.
Just remember to make it strong enough to get all the benefits – cover and steep 1-2 heaping Tablespoons in hot water in a tea cup or mug or up to 1/2 cup in 2 pints of hot water. You may need a little honey or monk fruit if the stronger concentration is a little bitter. Its good with a squeeze of lemon to brighten the flavor or even a hint of cinnamon on cold evenings.
If you’re using teabags, make sure you double or triple the number in your mug to get the full benefits. Organic is always preferred if you have that option and its a beautiful addition to a flower or herb garden if you have a bit of a green thumb (and the fresh flowers are SO lovely!).
