“I’m just sippin’ on chamomile
Watching boys and girls and their sex appeal
With a stranger in my face who says he knows my mom

And went to my high school”

That lyric, from the popular Gwen Stefani song, “Hey Baby”, from about 15 years back, was my personal introduction to chamomile. Fortunately, I have since learned some more about the herb and its wonderful benefits.
Chamomile, meaning ‘ground apple’, has been used for centuries in the Roman Empire, during Egyptian rule, and in Ancient Greece.
Prized for its special flavanoids, chamomile offers numerous health-boosting benefits.
Two types of chamomile are used for good health: German chamomile (Matricaria retutica) and Roman (or English) chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). German chamomile is used and studied the most.
A German governmental organization (Commission E) has approved its use on the skin to reduce swelling and fight bacteria, and as a tea or dietary supplement for stomach cramps.
People use German chamomile to treat irritation from chest colds, slow-healing wounds, abscesses, gum inflammation, and skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, chickenpox, and diaper rash. For these conditions, you use chamomile in an infusion or bath, or as a tincture, which is a concentrated extract mixed with alcohol.
People use Roman chamomile as a tea to treat an upset stomach, sleeping problems, or menstrual pain.
In the olden days, Chamomile used to be looked upon as the ‘Plant’s Physician’, and it has been stated that nothing contributes as much to the health of a garden as a number of Chamomile herbs dispersed about it; and that if another plant is drooping and sickly, in nine cases out of ten, it would recover if the Chamomile were placed near it.

There are nine reputed benefits of using chamomile:

1.    It treats insomnia: If you are suffering from insomnia (trouble falling or staying asleep), then chamomile tea is a great home remedy for you. Several studies have been done on this subject, and they link chamomile tea to better sleeping. Helping people to get asleep is one of the most admirable health benefits of chamomile tea.

2. Promotes stomach health: Another major benefit in using chamomile tea is it cures many stomach problems and eases basic symptoms associated with indigestion and overall stomach health. It contains strong anti- inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can reduce the severity of stomach cramp, stomach ache, flu, stomach acidity and gas.

3.  Promotes healthy skin: With its anti-inflammatory and anti-septic properties, chamomile helps clear up skin irritations such as eczema, acne, chicken pox and allergies. One study conducted by a German governmental organization demonstrated that chamomile tea can reduce swelling and fight bacteria effectively. Using chamomile tea infusion bath or extract can be good for these skin problems and other common swellings or infections.
Chamomile tea was used by the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians as a salve for wounds to expedite healing. In a recent study, rats given chamomile-flavoured water healed faster than those who were not given the elixir. It worked especially well for burn wounds. This is because Matricaria chamomilla has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant effects.

4. Effective against migraine headaches: Chamomile tea successfully helps people who are suffering from the severity of migraine pain attacks. It makes muscles more relaxed, and ensures better sleep, which is a very common reason for migraine headaches. Most importantly, it helps to ease pain through easing some basic symptoms.  It is also beneficial for the occasional headache caused by flu, stress and anxiety.

5. Lightens skin and reduces dark circles under the eyes: This herb is especially effective for lightening skin, and also works for removing dark circles under the eyes. For both remedies, dip chamomile tea bags for 5 minutes and cool it enough to make it tolerable for external skin use. Now take the tea bag and place it under eye and skin surface. You can also take hot steam of chamomile tea. Taking a bath with chamomile tea is also beneficial for overall skin issues.

6. Helps with hemorrhoids: For hemorrhoid sufferers, using ointment is a popular way to get rid of pain instantly. Chamomile tea is a great ointment for haemorrhoids. One study showed the benefit of chamomile ointments in reducing the bowling movement of hemorrhoids.

7. Diabetes: People with diabetes can enjoy the wonderful health benefits of chamomile tea by taking a few cups of tea daily. It helps to manage diabetes and in lowering blood sugar level. A study conducted by the Diabetes Research Centre reported people who were taking chamomile tea daily were able to drop their blood sugar in a quarter.

8. Boosts the Immune System: Chamomile tea has been found to be the best immune system booster tea.  A recent study showed people who consumed more than two cups of chamomile tea a day boosted the antibacterial element in the body called hippurate. The antibacterial effects of drinking chamomile tea can help to prevent and treat colds, while protecting against bacterial-related illness and infection.

9. Calms muscle spasms: One study from England found that drinking chamomile tea raised urine levels of glycine, a compound that calms muscle spasms. Researchers believe this is why chamomile tea could prove to be an effective home remedy for menstrual cramps as well.
Disclaimer: Before using this herb, it is important to consider the following cautions:
Do not take chamomile without first talking to your doctor if you are taking warfarin (Coumadin) or another blood thinner. You may not be able to take chamomile, or you may require special monitoring during treatment, if you are taking a blood thinner.
It is strongly advised that you talk to your doctor before taking or using chamomile if you have any other medical conditions, allergies (especially to ragweed, asters, chrysanthemums, celery, or other plants), or if you take other medicines. Chamomile may not be recommended in some situations.
Chamomile has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of chamomile may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. Since there have been instances when herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs, herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source, to minimize the risk of contamination.
Do not take chamomile without first talking to your doctor, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as it is not known whether chamomile will harm an unborn baby or nursing infant. There is no information available regarding the use of chamomile by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first consulting the child’s doctor.
Sources: www.drugs.com, www.wikipedia.com, www.homeremedy.htm, www.botanical.com, www.webMD.com.