Chamomile, Matricaria recutita
Chamomile is amazing.
I made some chamomile tea two days ago, because Chanukah was here, complete with fried food and indigestion. Chamomile soothes the stomach and aids digestion. Proper treatment with chamomile tea alone can ease or even cure stomach ulcers! I couldn't drink more than about 3/4 a mug though, I found it too strong (I later found out that too much at once can act as an emetic: make you throw up. Good thing I listened to my body).
I should really call it a tisane, because there are no tea leaves involved. Or I suppose I could say 'infusion' or 'herbal tea'... wow, that's a lot of names. In Hebrew it's a חליטה.
Back to my chamomile story. I have some leftover chamomile tea that we didn't drink, so I started thinking about what I could use the rest for, rather than reheat it and drink it.
Chamomile tea can be used as a rinse (using the liquid) or poultice (using the still damp flowers) on irritated or dry skin. It could be good as a rinse in the shower before a final rinse off, or to put into a soothing bath. Chamomile does help people fall asleep, so this is probably a better idea for a bedtime wash rather than in the morning. Tonight my skin is feeling pimpley and annoying. Acne makes my skin hurt and itch and feel like i want to peel my skin off, so I dampened a cloth in the infusion and gently wiped my face with it. Not only is it refreshing, it heals acne and acne scars, even. As a bonus, it made my skin feel very smooth, and it smells wonderful. If you've never smelled loose dried chamomile flowers or tea made with them, you're missing out. It smells the way the sweetest honey tastes. So now i have soothed, smooth, honey smelling skin. Yum:)
On a cosmetic note, chamomile can also lighten hair color, for those who want highlights, or deep down want to be blonde. It doesn't damage hair the way bleaches do.
Chamomile helps people to relax and unwind, it's perfect for the end of a day. Many people claim it gets rid of or lessens nightmares. I've learned that it is also an adaptogen, that is, a plant that helps the person deal well with changes, to adapt to whatever the situation is. It also has uses for treating physical and emotional PMS and female hormonal imbalances.
Chamomile has been called a cure-all. It really can be, try it out.
I made some chamomile tea two days ago, because Chanukah was here, complete with fried food and indigestion. Chamomile soothes the stomach and aids digestion. Proper treatment with chamomile tea alone can ease or even cure stomach ulcers! I couldn't drink more than about 3/4 a mug though, I found it too strong (I later found out that too much at once can act as an emetic: make you throw up. Good thing I listened to my body).
I should really call it a tisane, because there are no tea leaves involved. Or I suppose I could say 'infusion' or 'herbal tea'... wow, that's a lot of names. In Hebrew it's a חליטה.
Back to my chamomile story. I have some leftover chamomile tea that we didn't drink, so I started thinking about what I could use the rest for, rather than reheat it and drink it.
Chamomile tea can be used as a rinse (using the liquid) or poultice (using the still damp flowers) on irritated or dry skin. It could be good as a rinse in the shower before a final rinse off, or to put into a soothing bath. Chamomile does help people fall asleep, so this is probably a better idea for a bedtime wash rather than in the morning. Tonight my skin is feeling pimpley and annoying. Acne makes my skin hurt and itch and feel like i want to peel my skin off, so I dampened a cloth in the infusion and gently wiped my face with it. Not only is it refreshing, it heals acne and acne scars, even. As a bonus, it made my skin feel very smooth, and it smells wonderful. If you've never smelled loose dried chamomile flowers or tea made with them, you're missing out. It smells the way the sweetest honey tastes. So now i have soothed, smooth, honey smelling skin. Yum:)
On a cosmetic note, chamomile can also lighten hair color, for those who want highlights, or deep down want to be blonde. It doesn't damage hair the way bleaches do.
Chamomile helps people to relax and unwind, it's perfect for the end of a day. Many people claim it gets rid of or lessens nightmares. I've learned that it is also an adaptogen, that is, a plant that helps the person deal well with changes, to adapt to whatever the situation is. It also has uses for treating physical and emotional PMS and female hormonal imbalances.
Chamomile has been called a cure-all. It really can be, try it out.