Chamomile for Calming, Digestion & More

Chamomile

For relaxation, stress and even colicky babies! Can also help with uterine cramping. It’s a very soothing, gentle herb with many benefits.

Maticaria recutita (German chamomile) is a mild tonic used for gastrointestinal (GI) spasms, loss of appetite, inflammation of the GI tract and anxiety. It has herbal actions of nervine (relaxant), antispasmodic, carminative, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and bitter. The healing properties in chamomile come from its flowers, which contain volatile oils (including bisabolol, bisabolol oxides A and B, and matricin) as well as flavonoids and other therapeutic substances. It relaxes the nervous system and is especially useful when anxiety and tension produce digestive symptoms.

Research has found chamomile to be effective in treating generalized anxiety disorder. Some research suggests that a compound in chamomile can bind to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. GABA receptors are the primary receptor sites of benzodiazepines in the central nervous system. Few adverse reactions have been reported, though rarely, an allergic reaction may occur. A tablespoon of dried flowers covered and steeped with hot water for 15 minutes is suitable for promoting relaxation of the nervous and digestive systems.