Nature has endowed us with a huge variety of herbs and flowers, which are not only pleasing to the eye, but are also healing and very beneficial for the body. One such plant is chamomile, which has been used therapeutically for hundreds of years. On its basis, all kinds of infusions and decoctions are made, and chamomile is also part of a huge number of pharmaceuticals. In the preparation of therapeutic and prophylactic agents, flowers, stems, chamomile seeds are used, using them for various purposes.

What is useful pharmaceutical chamomile: medicinal properties

Pharmacy chamomile is widely used both in traditional and traditional medicine as a therapeutic and prophylactic agent. Due to the beneficial properties that lie in this plant, its method of application is not limited by anything, thanks to which the plant can be found in cosmetology and pharmacology. The fact is that chamomile has a calming effect that affects the functioning of the nervous system, it also has an excellent choleretic potential, which is why its use is extremely important for stomach problems.

We must not miss the fact that the described plant has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. It contains a large number of microelements, vitamins and acids useful for the body. The benefits of chamomile are obvious and known to virtually everyone, thanks to which this plant has gained immense popularity.

What helps the collection: indications for use in medicine

The scope of chamomile is extremely wide, because it is used for a variety of purposes, from the treatment of serious systemic diseases to wound healing. Based on common information, chamomile collection can be used in the following cases:

1. for disinfection of wounds, since the component composition of the plant allows you to destroy most bacteria and ensure the speedy healing of the wound;
2. in order to stop bleeding, since tannins are able to thicken the blood and increase its clotting;
3. as a sedative and tonic, which makes it easier to cope with stress, get rid of insomnia, as well as nervous tension;
4. with diseases of the oral cavity, flux, ulcerative lesions of the mucosa;
5. in the form of a cosmetic product used for hair care, as well as for the face. The tool strengthens the hair follicles, and also promotes skin nutrition and subsequent rejuvenation;
6. chamomile is often used for colds;
7. while chamomile helps in the fight against disorders in the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, etc.

Methods and instructions for using chamomile

For therapeutic and prophylactic purposes, a wide variety of recipes for decoctions, infusions and spins can be used. Each of the options for preparing a remedy will have a unique effect, and be used in a special way. The way chamomile medicine is used plays an important role, for this reason it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions and recommendations regarding the preparation and use of chamomile for medicinal purposes. For this reason, the most popular and effective recipes are described below, after reading which you can easily prepare a similar remedy at home.

How to brew and drink tea / infusion

In addition to the fact that chamomile tea is very healthy, it also has an amazing taste, which is a pleasure to enjoy at any time. It is necessary to brew and infuse this product in a special way.

To make tea, you need 1-2 teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers, pour a glass of boiling water, temperature 90 degrees. In order for the remedy to be infused in a special way, it will need to be closed in a teapot for 15 minutes, after which the tea is ready for use. If the strength of the drink is not enough, then you can insist it for 20 minutes. It can be drunk with sugar, but honey is better, since the real value lies precisely in the natural ingredients.

Plant liquid extract/tincture

To prepare a concentrated infusion of chamomile, you need to pour a tablespoon of chamomile collection into a container, which can be bought in virtually any pharmacy. Then the raw material is poured with boiling water in a volume of 200 milliliters, after which the mixture must be placed in a water bath over a slow fire. The product should be in a water bath for at least half an hour, after which the container should be removed from the heat and set aside for a while under the lid. The extract is infused for about an hour, after which it is filtered and can be used for medicinal purposes. This concentrate can be added to shampoo, face mask, etc.

A decoction of chamomile flowers for the treatment of gastritis of the stomach

As you know, chamomile has an anti-inflammatory effect, and also helps prevent spasms, relieving pain. Therefore, many doctors recommend drinking a decoction of chamomile for gastritis. But at the same time, one should not forget about the classical treatment, since only a chamomile mixture will not be able to cure the disease.

In order to prepare the medicine, you need to pour a teaspoon of dried chamomile flowers with boiling water and leave the required volume to infuse for 4 hours. After the time has elapsed, the composition must be filtered, after which you can begin treatment. To start a course of chamomile therapy, you should drink a glass of decoction twice a day for 2 weeks.

constipation remedy recipe

To prepare an antispasmodic that helps normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract, you will need chamomile seeds. The described recipe is great for both adults and children. First of all, it is necessary to immerse a teaspoon of chamomile seeds in a small container, then pour them with half a glass of boiling water and leave for 15 minutes. After the allotted time, the decoction is filtered and can be used as an effective remedy in the fight against constipation. You need to drink the resulting broth in a tablespoon twice a day, mixing the product with milk, yogurt or water in equal volumes.

Chamomile baths

Baths with chamomile have a high cosmetic effect, contributing to the overall rejuvenation of the skin of the body. At the same time, such herbal baths are extremely useful for cystitis, and they are also used for medicinal purposes in gynecology. In order to prepare such a healing bath, you will need to pour 200 grams of chamomile collection with two liters of cool water. After the composition has stood for 10 minutes, it will need to be boiled for a quarter of an hour, and then let it brew for another couple of hours. After the time has elapsed, the resulting infusion must be poured into a bath of warm water. It is recommended to take chamomile baths twice a week.

Is it possible to drink chamomile in tea bags and for how long?

Chamomile in sachets is an ordinary herbal tea that can be used for medicinal purposes. To prepare tea, you need to pour a glass of boiling water over the bag and wait 10 minutes. This tool will have a large number of useful properties, it is not recommended to drink it more than once every two days.

Harm and contraindications to the treatment of pharmaceutical chamomile

Chamomile, as a medicine, does not harm the body, but in some cases it should not be taken. People suffering from diarrhea, high acidity of the stomach, allergies, etc. should protect themselves from chamomile decoctions. At the same time, it must be remembered that it is forbidden to consume chamomile in large quantities, as this can lead to headaches and weakness.

Photo: what chamomile looks like

Pharmacy chamomile is an annual plant that has a long stem with a ubiquitous arrangement of small leaves reaching a length of 6 centimeters. The flowers of the plant are quite large, having a rich yellow center and numerous white petals extending from it. It has small seeds, not exceeding 2 millimeters.

Chamomile calms the nerves and has a mild sedative effect. It is used for stress, strong excitement, uncontrolled nervous excitement, as well as involuntary muscle tension to relax them. At the same time, both chamomile tea and water infusion soothe, while alcohol tincture does not always have an unambiguous calming effect, since the alcohol contained in the preparation acts very individually, and some people invigorate more than chamomile soothes them.

Chamomile calms the nerves due to the active chemical components in its composition: chamazulene, matricine, apiin. In addition, apiin and apigenin help to relax smooth muscles, due to which chamomile preparations are used as antispasmodics. The faint aroma of chamomile indoors is also known to be calming and has a mild hypnotic effect, this is used to combat insomnia.

The calming effect of chamomile is average in strength. It will not help with serious disorders of the nervous system, it or chamomile tea should not be used to replace strong sedatives when there are indications for their use. Basically, as a sedative, it is used for occasional temporary anxiety, stress and psychological shocks, obsessive thoughts, in the complex therapy of insomnia, but only in cases where serious pathologies of the nervous system are not found in the patient.

A collection of mint, lemon balm and chamomile is considered a significantly more effective sedative than pure chamomile.

Many herbs used in traditional medicine have a much more pronounced calming effect than chamomile. Among them:

• Valerian;
• Mint;
• St. John's wort;
• Thyme;
• Blooming Sally.

As a rule, chamomile, as a sedative, is used as part of complex therapy, either with other herbs as part of fees, or with pharmaceutical preparations. Its independent use for the purpose of calming can be shown relatively rarely.

Chamomile is not recommended to drink to calm pregnant women and people prone to diarrhea. When breastfeeding for the mother, it is allowed, although occasionally they talk about its possible side effects for the child, as a rule, very mild.

It is important to remember that the essential little chamomile, on the contrary, has a pronounced stimulating effect, stimulates the nervous system and can even cause a headache.

Which chamomile preparations soothe the most?

As a sedative, chamomile tea with the addition of St. John's wort, mint and lemon balm is most often used. At the same time, pure chamomile tea itself can have a slight sedative effect, it is good to drink it before bedtime.

The most effective is natural tea made from dried chamomile flowers. Various teas with the addition of a plant extract, for example, those produced by Hipp or Curtis, are less effective, since, in fact, the active components of flowers in them are much less than in natural plant materials.

Chamomile water infusion also calms the nerves. Its disadvantage is long cooking time. During the time that this drug is infused, you can prepare and drink tea several times, while the calming effect will be almost identical.

It is not recommended to drink alcohol tincture of chamomile for calming. Alcohol invigorates many people, and given the weak calming effect of chamomile, this tonic effect may be stronger. And in general, preparations for alcohol are not useful.

It is also known to use dried chamomile flowers to relax the muscles. To do this, dry flowers are simply poured into a pillow, and a person sleeps on it.

Can children be given chamomile to calm them down?

Chamomile is equally effective in calming nerves in both adults and children, and therefore it can be used in cases where a child needs to be calmed a little.

Teething is a common cause of anxiety and crying in infants. In this case, they can and should be given chamomile to calm them down.

At the same time, it is important to understand that the child is worried for a reason. His screams, inability to fall asleep, frequent awakenings, rapid arousal are often signs of certain diseases or normal physiological pain. It’s dangerous to give a child chamomile just to calm him down without understanding the cause of anxiety - there is a risk of missing the onset of the disease.

Therefore, giving a child chamomile as a sedative is possible only in cases where the cause of his anxiety and arousal is known, and appropriate measures have been taken to eliminate this cause. Chamomile in this case is used only as a means of auxiliary, symptomatic therapy.

For example, chamomile tea is given to a 2-3-month-old baby for colic - in this situation, the remedy helps to reduce abdominal pain and soothes the child. Later, chamomile can be given as a sedative when a child is teething, for various diseases associated with pain in the throat, head or abdomen.

It is important to remember that chamomile is contraindicated in case of a tendency to diarrhea. If the child often has digestive disorders, it is better to give him other drugs as a sedative.

Does chamomile soothe the skin?

Chamomile is good for soothing irritated skin. In particular, the bites of various insects (especially blood-sucking ones - bugs, mosquitoes, horseflies), rashes during allergic reactions, mechanical abrasions and chemical irritations are often treated with drugs with it. In this case, by the way, chamomile has no contraindications and can be applied topically almost always. Its alcohol tincture for skin treatment is more effective than chamomile tea or water infusion.

Chamomile is the most popular phytocomponent of any home first aid kit. With its help, you can solve a large number of health problems. It is not only a preventive measure, but also a curative one. At home, decoctions, infusions and tinctures are prepared from chamomile, using them for lotions, compresses, gargling and bathing, steam baths. Often it is taken orally in the form of a fragrant tea that delivers taste pleasure and benefits the body.

1. Apigenin. A substance that can suppress allergies, inflammations of various nature, fight free radicals, inhibit certain types of cancer cells. Of all the herbs used to make teas, chamomile contains the highest amount of apigenin.
2. Chrysin, which has a strong sedative property. This substance is able to reduce anxiety, unreasonable fear, unreasonable panic attacks, hysterical state, get rid of nightmares.
3. Coumarin. The substance that gives chamomile its characteristic aroma. Known as an anti-allergic agent that relieves swelling, especially associated with impaired lymphatic circulation, postoperative.
4. Vitamin C. The most important substance for the normal functioning of connective and bone tissues. Promotes the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids, which stimulates digestion and prevents the formation of gallstones. It is a powerful antioxidant.
5. Tannins, which give the plant a bitter taste, help improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, normalize the microflora in the intestine, and get rid of microbes and decay products. Effective for the prevention of deposits of salts of heavy metals, causing significant harm to the entire body.
6. Pectin. Named by doctors as the "orderly" of the human body due to the ability to cleanse it of harmful substances without disturbing the natural microflora. Removes radioactive elements, toxic substances and pesticides from the body.
7. Carotene. Actively involved in metabolic processes, important for the formation of bones, nails, teeth, body fat, stimulates the growth of new cells, slows down aging, fights viruses and bacteria.
8. Essential oils with antimicrobial, antispasmodic and regenerating properties. Vitamins, macro- and microelements: potassium, calcium, zinc, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese.

Unlike black and green teas, chamomile does not contain any caffeine.

The monks from Tibet appreciated all the benefits and harms of chamomile tea, its ability to restore cells, stimulate their regeneration. Therefore, this plant is an indispensable ingredient in the famous Tibetan elixir of youth.

Video: Chamomile tea. healing drink

What diseases are chamomile tea good for?

With frequent colds, chamomile tea should be taken not only as a means of accelerating recovery due to the content of vitamin C, but also as a preventive measure in order to avoid colds and other diseases. Tea has diaphoretic, antipyretic properties, soothes sore throat, helps to eliminate sputum.

During the period of autumn-winter depression, 4-5 cups of fragrant tea per week will significantly raise your mood and performance, relieve depression. To improve the effect, you can add a teaspoon of honey or a couple of lemon slices to the drink.

The antispasmodic action of apigenin will help relieve pain and colic in the intestines, get rid of flatulence. Chamomile tea is useful for gastritis, enterocolitis, peptic ulcer, will help normalize and restore stools, improve appetite and digestion.

Chamomile tea is indispensable after plentiful feasts and long holidays, accompanied by overeating, excessively fatty foods, and alcohol. With headaches caused by a sudden change in weather, changes in blood pressure, a glass of chamomile tea will quickly relieve muscle spasms, which will alleviate the condition.

Thanks to vitamin PP, which is part of the herb, there are benefits from chamomile tea for people suffering from vasospasm, rapid leg fatigue, and a tendency to varicose veins. Tea will cope with muscle spasms caused by pain in the stomach or on critical days. With abundant and very painful menstruation, a daily tea intake is recommended a few days before they begin.

As a sedative, chamomile tea should be taken 2-3 cups daily. It helps to relax, fall asleep faster, relieves depression, accelerates adaptation after stress.

In diabetes mellitus, regular consumption of chamomile drink significantly reduces blood sugar levels, keeps it in one position, which improves the patient's condition.

Daily use of chamomile tea also affects the appearance. The skin becomes healthier, acne, purulent formations disappear. Later and in smaller quantities, age-related pigmentation appears on it. To improve your appearance, it is enough to drink a glass of warm tea in the morning on an empty stomach and wash your face with it.

To strengthen immunity after a long illness or during a seasonal exacerbation of colds, a cup of tea a day for two weeks is enough. The plant phenols contained in chamomile will make the body resistant to any virus and bacteria of any nature.

How to make chamomile tea

Pour a teaspoon of chamomile or a bag of herbs with a glass of hot water, but not boiling water. After boiling, the water should stand for 10 minutes to cool down to 90-95 degrees, the most suitable for brewing any tea. Infuse under the lid, like regular tea, for 5-10 minutes. Strain thoroughly through a strainer or cheesecloth folded in several layers. Take it warm, adding a teaspoon of honey or sugar to taste.

The specific taste of chamomile can be varied with a couple of mint leaves, grated with the zest of 1/4 lemon. Adding any component of your choice and taste will not affect the medicinal properties of the herb in any way.

Preparing chamomile tea is so simple and does not require much time that it is better to refuse to brew it for future use. After standing for a while, the drink becomes more saturated and bitter. This option is only suitable for outdoor use of the herb.

It is better to take a drink after a meal, but not earlier than an hour later. At this time, it normalizes the process of digestion, prevents gas formation in the intestines.

How to use tea leaves chamomile

Chamomile brewed in tea also contains a large amount of useful substances. It can be used for lotions and compresses, or just chew. In the form of a compress, the herb will relieve fatigue, dullness of the skin, swelling and black circles under the eyes, skin inflammation, and accelerate the healing of wounds and abrasions.

During chewing, it perfectly disinfects the oral cavity, freshens breath, and soothes pain from inflammation on the lips and mucous membranes. The herb can be brewed a second time to be used for baths, washing, hair washing and douching.

Chamomile tea for children

For babies up to four months old, chamomile infusion is added to some water and allowed to drink in small portions to get rid of colic. For children under one year old, warm tea is given 1-2 teaspoons for sore throats, to normalize digestion, at bedtime, if the baby is restless.

After a year, a child can drink chamomile tea as usual, but in small quantities (no more than one baby cup).

Contraindications

Chamomile is one of the most versatile herbs, the intake of which has no side effects and is allowed even for small children. However, it is not in vain that it is called medicinal. So, it should be treated accordingly. Otherwise, a harmless glass of herbal drink can harm the body or exacerbate chronic diseases.

Chamomile drink is not recommended for people with individual intolerance to this herb. More harm than good, will bring an excess concentration of chamomile in tea. Such a drink can cause a headache, a decrease in pressure, an upset stool, and weakened muscle tone. The constant use of too strong tea will harm the emotional state, lead to prolonged depressed or irritable mood, loss of attention.

It is advisable to refuse chamomile tea when taking medications with a sedative and diuretic effect. Chamomile has similar properties, and such a mix will cause an overdose with corresponding consequences.

Do not drink chamomile tea for diarrhea. Take it with caution with low blood pressure.

Pregnant women should avoid chamomile tea completely or take it at a lower concentration, no more than one glass a day. The plant stimulates the production of estrogen, which can cause miscarriage.

Russian families love tea very much. Not a day goes by without this invigorating aromatic drink. Someone likes to brew stronger black tea. Someone prefers the refined taste of green. Some prefer only expensive, elite varieties, while others prefer tea bags. Well, those who know a lot about medicinal plants and care about maintaining their health prepare tea from simple chamomile. Such a drink is tasty, fragrant, and most importantly, healthy. Yes, and at a price it is available to everyone, regardless of financial wealth.

Tea from dried flowers has been used in folk medicine since ancient times. Freshly prepared drink has medicinal properties. For example, the anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties of tea have been proven. They drink it, and also use it externally in the form of compresses, lotions.

Let's talk more about this healing drink. Let's find out why we need chamomile tea, we will find out its beneficial properties. Let's also talk about contraindications.

Benefits of chamomile tea

First of all, let's dwell on the property of the drink to calm the nervous system. Just a cup of chamomile tea, drunk in the evening, will help you fall asleep faster, and make your sleep deep and calm. Therefore, it is recommended to drink it after a hard day's work. Just be careful if you are taking any sedative drugs.

It should also be noted that a drink based on chamomile has a moderate analgesic property. Therefore, it is recommended to use it for rinsing the mouth if the tooth hurts, the gums are inflamed, or there are ulcerative lesions on the mucosa. If you need to relieve pain, it is better to rinse with cool tea. It is most effective in this case.

In addition, chamomile tea improves and stabilizes digestion. It will help relieve colic, eliminate gas formation, abdominal pain. Just be careful if you are taking drugs that thin the blood, such as acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). Chamomile contains coumarin, which also has blood-thinning properties.

Flavonoids, a large number of which are found in the flowers of the plant, give tea antimicrobial, antioxidant properties. Therefore, a regularly drunk cup of the drink eliminates inflammation, reduces bad cholesterol and glucose. Therefore, it will be useful for people suffering from diabetes. The drink is a prophylactic against the occurrence of malignant tumors.

The beneficial properties of chamomile tea are known for violations of the intestinal microflora. Useful substances, which the drink is rich in, improve microflora, restore balance.

With stomach pain, the beneficial properties of the drink will also help. The tea will soothe the lining of the stomach. With gastritis, peptic ulcer will relieve pain. Improves the condition in diseases of the gallbladder, kidneys.
Flower tea can be given to children for good sleep. However, you can give it if you are not allergic to chamomile. So, be careful. Here is the recipe for this drink:

Chamomile tea for children

Pour 1 tsp into an enamel mug. dry flowers. Add 400 ml of boiling water. Cover the top with a saucer. Let it stand for 15-20 minutes. After that, strain the tea through cheesecloth, cool. Add 1 tsp. honey.

Such a drink will calm the child, improve the quality of sleep. In addition, it is useful to give it to children with indigestion.

Chamomile tea for adults

It is prepared in the same way as for children. Only the proportions are slightly different. Put 1 tsp. for 200 ml of boiling water. Then, when brewed, strain and drink. Honey can also be added if desired. If you prefer to prepare a drink from sachets, then 1 sachet is taken for 1 cup of boiling water. Drink is recommended to drink moderately warm, not hot.

With the addition of mint or oregano

This drink also well eliminates fermentation processes in the intestines, will help get rid of increased gas formation, and pain in the abdomen. The drink will calm the nerves, help with stressful conditions, improve sleep.

To prepare it, pour 1 tbsp. l. chamomile, mint or oregano. Pour 0.5 l. boiling water. Cover with a warm towel. Tea will be ready in 5-10 minutes.

Green tea

This drink is effective for stress, excitement. It is recommended to drink to people who are in emotional stress, as it helps to relax. To prepare, pour the amount of green tea you need into the teapot. Then pour 1 tsp. dried chamomile flowers. The drink will be ready in 10 minutes. In the evening it is useful to drink it with honey. And in the morning it is better to put a circle of lemon in a cup.

Contraindications

You should not drink it often during pregnancy. The drink can increase the production of estrogen. A significant increase in their number can harm the normal course of pregnancy, up to its termination. So be careful and check with your doctor about using chamomile tea.

Conclusion

So we talked about how tea in which there is chamomile is useful for our body, we discussed its benefits and harms. It is also worth recalling that you need to understand that chamomile is a medicinal plant. Therefore, like all medicines, in some cases it may not help, but aggravate the state of health. And all because this plant is quite allergenic. Therefore, when drinking tea, always monitor your well-being. If there are signs of an allergy, it should be discontinued.

The beneficial properties of chamomile were first described in the 17th century, but the use of the plant for medicinal purposes began long before that time. Previously, chamomile was used mainly for the treatment of female diseases (fibroids, mastopathy), so another name for the flower is “uterine grass”. Chamomile can be used in the form of infusions, decoctions, external compresses, but the most accessible and convenient method of therapy is the use of chamomile tea.

Benefit

Dried flowers of the plant are used to make chamomile tea. You can collect them yourself or buy ready-made collection at the pharmacy. Experts advise giving preference to pharmacy chamomile, since all raw materials sold in pharmacy chains go through several degrees of purification and are carefully checked for the presence of nitrates and other hazardous substances.

Chamomile is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent, so most often the drink is used as an aid in the treatment of colds. A decoction of chamomile helps to reduce the severity of the inflammatory process, soothe irritated mucous membranes of the larynx and relieve pain.

The remedy can be taken orally, replacing morning and evening tea with a drink, or used for topical treatment as a solution for gargling. Chamomile flowers have a pronounced antiseptic and bactericidal effect, so the use of warm tea from this plant is indicated for the following infections:

• angina;
• influenza and respiratory diseases (ARVI and acute respiratory infections), accompanied by cough and sore throat;
• tonsillitis;
• laryngitis;
• pharyngitis;
• tracheitis.

Drinking a drink in inflammatory processes of the lower respiratory tract (bronchitis, pneumonia) helps to relieve a painful cough, moisten the mucous membranes of the larynx and esophagus and facilitate sputum discharge. To achieve a pronounced therapeutic effect, it is recommended to drink chamomile tea 3-4 times a day. You need to gargle more often - 5-6 times.

A large amount of vitamins in chamomile flowers positively affects the state of the immune system during an illness, alleviates the severity of symptoms and speeds up recovery.

Chamomile tea has a moderate diaphoretic effect and allows you to quickly remove toxins and waste products of bacteria through the skin. Due to this, the patient has a headache, the temperature drops and other signs of intoxication disappear.

For stress and insomnia

For people suffering from neuroses, depression or constantly in a state of emotional excitement, doctors recommend taking a decoction or infusion of chamomile inside. This is an excellent tool for dealing with stress, as the active components of chamomile gently act on the nervous system and have a slight calming effect.

Drinking chamomile tea before bed can help manage insomnia, improve sleep quality, and avoid anxiety-related wake-up calls at night. If you add a little honey, milk or a few sprigs of lemon balm to chamomile tea, you get an excellent natural medicine to restore your psycho-emotional state.

For pain

Chamomile is considered one of the most effective herbs to help fight various types of pain. An extract from chamomile flowers relieves spasm and helps muscles relax, so drinks based on this plant are recommended for colitis, muscle pain and other painful conditions caused by muscle spasms.

Of particular note is the benefit of the remedy for women with painful menstruation. Chamomile will help not only relieve pain, but also cope with emotional outbursts characteristic of this period, so the infusion or decoction of the plant must be included in the menu before the end of menstruation.

For diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

• elimination of bloating and flatulence;
• neutralization of excess hydrochloric acid;
• normalization of bowel function.

After entering the intestine, chamomile disinfects its walls and the cavity of the organ, destroys the pathogenic flora, reduces slagging, removes toxins and prevents the processes of decay. Prophylactic intake of drinks based on chamomile helps to improve the functioning of the large and small intestines, strengthen the immune system and improve the body.

The use of chamomile tea is also shown for liver diseases, as the agent gently cleanses the organ and has a slight hepatoprotective effect, protecting liver cells from adverse factors.

Harm and contraindications

Despite the large number of useful properties, chamomile tea can bring not only benefits to the body, but also harm. Most often, negative reactions when using the product are caused by improper use or non-compliance with the recommendations for preparation and intake.

When brewing tea, it is necessary to strictly observe the proportions, since a drink that is too strong can produce the opposite effect and cause headache, apathy, and muscle weakness. Do not forget about the pronounced sedative effect of chamomile, so the plant is not advised to be used by patients with mental disorders and severe forms of depressive disorders.

A concentrated infusion of chamomile can significantly lower blood pressure, so it is important to make sure that the patient does not suffer from hypotension before taking it.

If earlier a person (or his blood relatives) had reactions of intolerance to chamomile, drinks from this plant should be consumed very carefully, starting with 1-2 teaspoons. In the absence of complications, you can continue taking it, gradually increasing the amount of drink you drink.

Can pregnant and lactating women

In some cases, chamomile can cause allergic reactions - for this reason, doctors used to recommend pregnant women to stop drinking chamomile drinks. Now experts do not object to the inclusion of chamomile decoctions in the diet of an expectant mother, especially since they can help cope with some pregnancy problems.

• Chamomile has a moderate diuretic effect, so it can be used to prevent edema and preeclampsia.
• To eliminate heaviness and fatigue in the legs, which appears already in the second trimester due to a shift in the center of gravity and an increase in the load on the joints, a woman can use foot baths with chamomile infusion.
• In the third trimester, chamomile tea with linden and honey will help to cope with the growing anxiety before the upcoming birth without the use of sedatives.

Nursing women can also include a decoction of chamomile in their diet, especially since it helps to increase lactation, but provided that the woman and baby are not allergic. If the crumbs have allergy symptoms (rash, lacrimation, redness of the eyes and skin), the use of tea will have to be abandoned.

Compound

Chamomile tea has almost zero calorie content - only 1 kcal per 100 ml of the finished product. At the same time, the drink is rich in vitamins and minerals.

Vitamins (per 100 ml):

Minerals:

Chamomile tea also contains essential oils, tannins, amino acids, polysaccharides, mucus and gum.

How to cook?

Tea. To make tea, you can use loose raw materials or buy ready-made filter bags for one-time brewing. The second method of preparation is preferable, since the dosed sachets eliminate the possibility of preparing a drink that is too strong and concentrated. In this case, you need to pour one sachet with a glass of boiling water, leave for 3-4 minutes.

If tea is prepared from loose raw materials, the steps will be similar, only you need to take into account that only chamomile inflorescences (dried or fresh) are suitable for a medicinal drink. To make tea, you need 1 teaspoon of chamomile.

You can drink tea cold or hot. If desired, you can add lemon, honey, lemon balm, linden and other ingredients that will help diversify the taste sensations. You can drink tea an hour after eating.

Decoction. To prepare a decoction, you need to take 4 tablespoons of chamomile and pour 400 ml of boiling water. Place on stove and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes. Let the composition brew for 3-4 hours, then strain through cheesecloth or a sieve.

Infusion. The proportions are the same as for the preparation of a decoction. The difference is that the mixture does not need to be boiled. It is enough to mix chamomile with water in a thermos and insist for 4 hours. It is best to drink the infusion strained.

Storage

You can store dry chamomile for 2 years, subject to storage conditions. It is best to place the dried raw material in a bag made of natural dense fabric and put it in a dark place (exclude high humidity).

Ready tea can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 20 hours. After this period, the drink loses half of its medicinal properties. Out of the refrigerator tea can be 2 hours.

How to choose?

If chamomile is purchased at a pharmacy, you just need to check the expiration date and the integrity of the original packaging. When buying fresh flowers, you should carefully inspect the petals and stem - they should not show signs of damage by pests, dust or chemicals. If there are black dots and specks on the stem, it is better to refuse the purchase.

What is combined with?

Chamomile tea can be drunk instead of regular tea. An excellent addition to such a drink would be jam, jam or natural honey. Fresh chamomile leaves can be added to black tea or other varieties when brewing. The combination with other medicinal herbs (calendula, thyme, St. John's wort) will help enhance the taste of the drink, but before drinking such tea, you will need to consult a specialist.

Chamomile infusion can be beneficial or harmful - it all depends on the correct use of it and compliance with the recommendations of specialists. In most cases, chamomile drinks are well tolerated, but cases of individual intolerance can rarely occur, so they should be used carefully, observing the measure (4 cups per day).