Chamomile – The herb that keeps on healing
2020 was a true annus horribilis. In the middle of the COVID-19 lockdown in Spring, I had a tooth abscess that required a root canal treatment and replacement of a bridge. Four weeks later, I had another tooth abscess that required a root canal treatment as well, plus the replacement of a crown. To make matters worse, my immune system reacted to the bacterial infections underlying the tooth abscesses by developing huge wheals all over my body that itched like crazy. Once they were gone, I had an accident cleaning my pool cage and deck, causing a Lisfranc injury with torn midfoot ligaments.
At least hobbling around in a protective boot was made easier by teaching from home during the Summer semester. Three weeks after the injury, my daughter and her husband moved house. I assumed that there would be plenty of help and that I would more or less just supervise proceedings while holding onto a cold drink. Yet, all the young, strong men they knew were busy, and so I ended up on the truck, lifting, carrying, and pushing furniture and boxes. That wasn’t what I was supposed to do with my recent injury but I soldiered on regardless. I soon forgot all about the injury and the pain I experienced from it when I stubbed my big toe on the wheel well cover on the truck floor. It’s difficult to watch where you’re going when you carry boxes and your left foot is in a protective boot. Which explains why I kept hitting that darn wheel well cover time and again.
Coming home that night, I wasn’t surprised to find that I had bled into my shoe and that the nail of my big toe was sitting on a pool of blood. Turns out, the nail was split horizontally, and after a few weeks, a not so nice looking and smelling liquid started to ooze from underneath the nail. That’s when I boiled a kettle of water, put a few bags of chamomile tea in a big bucket, and soaked them in the hot water. Once the chamomile infusion had cooled down, I soaked my foot in it for about 10-15 minutes. The next morning, I repeated the treatment and after that, there was no more discharge from the nail. But it came off in the end, as expected.
Using chamomile infusion instead of something from a pharmacy may be surprising to most Americans. I remember how surprised my former neighbors were when I gave my daughters chamomile tea when they suffered from an upset stomach. However, chamomile has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, particularly in Europe and the Middle East. Growing up in Germany, I had seen it used for infections, indigestion, and colic, among other uses. In fact, in traditional European herbal medicine, chamomile earned the moniker of a "universal remedy" due to its versatility in addressing a wide range of health issues. Nowadays, chamomile continues to be cherished for its diverse applications:
Even though the two main varieties are native to Europe and Asia (German chamomile, aka Matricaria chamomilla or Matricaria recutita) and Western Europe and North Africa (Roman chamomile, aka Chamaemelum nobile), respectively, they can be grown in a variety of U.S. regions, including the Midwest, Northeast, and West Coast. German chamomile, an annual plant, is the more commonly cultivated variety for medicinal and culinary purposes. It is often grown in gardens, on small farms, and in herbal gardens across the country. It is an annual plant and produces small, white, daisy-like flowers with yellow centers. The flowers are the primary part of the plant used for therapeutic purposes. This variety has a long history of effectively addressing digestive issues, such as indigestion, gas, and colic. Many turn to it in the form of chamomile tea to ease gastrointestinal discomfort. Its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties make it a trusted remedy for treating skin conditions like eczema and minor wounds. Furthermore, German chamomile is renowned for its mild sedative qualities, making it a preferred choice for those seeking relaxation and improved sleep.
Roman chamomile, on the other hand, is a perennial plant. It shares some botanical characteristics with its German counterpart, featuring finely divided, feathery leaves and similar daisy-like white flowers with yellow centers. Like German chamomile, Roman chamomile is celebrated for its calming and soothing attributes and is often incorporated into herbal teas and essential oils. Historically, it has been used to alleviate stress, anxiety, and insomnia, making it a sought-after natural remedy for relaxation and improved sleep quality. Roman chamomile essential oil is widely used in aromatherapy and is cherished for its ability to induce a sense of calm and tranquility.
At least hobbling around in a protective boot was made easier by teaching from home during the Summer semester. Three weeks after the injury, my daughter and her husband moved house. I assumed that there would be plenty of help and that I would more or less just supervise proceedings while holding onto a cold drink. Yet, all the young, strong men they knew were busy, and so I ended up on the truck, lifting, carrying, and pushing furniture and boxes. That wasn’t what I was supposed to do with my recent injury but I soldiered on regardless. I soon forgot all about the injury and the pain I experienced from it when I stubbed my big toe on the wheel well cover on the truck floor. It’s difficult to watch where you’re going when you carry boxes and your left foot is in a protective boot. Which explains why I kept hitting that darn wheel well cover time and again.
Coming home that night, I wasn’t surprised to find that I had bled into my shoe and that the nail of my big toe was sitting on a pool of blood. Turns out, the nail was split horizontally, and after a few weeks, a not so nice looking and smelling liquid started to ooze from underneath the nail. That’s when I boiled a kettle of water, put a few bags of chamomile tea in a big bucket, and soaked them in the hot water. Once the chamomile infusion had cooled down, I soaked my foot in it for about 10-15 minutes. The next morning, I repeated the treatment and after that, there was no more discharge from the nail. But it came off in the end, as expected.
Using chamomile infusion instead of something from a pharmacy may be surprising to most Americans. I remember how surprised my former neighbors were when I gave my daughters chamomile tea when they suffered from an upset stomach. However, chamomile has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, particularly in Europe and the Middle East. Growing up in Germany, I had seen it used for infections, indigestion, and colic, among other uses. In fact, in traditional European herbal medicine, chamomile earned the moniker of a "universal remedy" due to its versatility in addressing a wide range of health issues. Nowadays, chamomile continues to be cherished for its diverse applications:
- Chamomile tea remains a popular choice for promoting digestion, reducing stress, and fostering relaxation.
- Topical chamomile preparations, including creams, ointments, and essential oils, are utilized to soothe skin irritations and support wound healing.
- Individuals seeking natural remedies often turn to chamomile for alleviating menstrual cramps and facilitating restful sleep.
- Various chamomile supplements, available in forms like capsules and tinctures, cater to those looking to incorporate its benefits into their wellness routines.
Even though the two main varieties are native to Europe and Asia (German chamomile, aka Matricaria chamomilla or Matricaria recutita) and Western Europe and North Africa (Roman chamomile, aka Chamaemelum nobile), respectively, they can be grown in a variety of U.S. regions, including the Midwest, Northeast, and West Coast. German chamomile, an annual plant, is the more commonly cultivated variety for medicinal and culinary purposes. It is often grown in gardens, on small farms, and in herbal gardens across the country. It is an annual plant and produces small, white, daisy-like flowers with yellow centers. The flowers are the primary part of the plant used for therapeutic purposes. This variety has a long history of effectively addressing digestive issues, such as indigestion, gas, and colic. Many turn to it in the form of chamomile tea to ease gastrointestinal discomfort. Its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties make it a trusted remedy for treating skin conditions like eczema and minor wounds. Furthermore, German chamomile is renowned for its mild sedative qualities, making it a preferred choice for those seeking relaxation and improved sleep.
Roman chamomile, on the other hand, is a perennial plant. It shares some botanical characteristics with its German counterpart, featuring finely divided, feathery leaves and similar daisy-like white flowers with yellow centers. Like German chamomile, Roman chamomile is celebrated for its calming and soothing attributes and is often incorporated into herbal teas and essential oils. Historically, it has been used to alleviate stress, anxiety, and insomnia, making it a sought-after natural remedy for relaxation and improved sleep quality. Roman chamomile essential oil is widely used in aromatherapy and is cherished for its ability to induce a sense of calm and tranquility.
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Unsurprisingly, chamomile is but one member of the Asteraceae family, which is also commonly referred to as the daisy or sunflower family, with medicinal properties. This family of flowering plants is known for its characteristic composite flower heads, which often resemble daisies or sunflowers. Other examples of other medicinal plants that belong to the Asteraceae family are:
Coneflower or Echinacea (Echinacea spp.) is known for its immune-boosting properties. It is often used as a natural remedy for colds and respiratory infections. Echinacea supplements and teas are popular choices for immune support. Marigold, also called Calendula (Calendula officinalis), is well-regarded for its anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties. It is commonly used in topical preparations, such as creams and ointments, to treat skin conditions like wounds, burns, and rashes. |
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Arnica (Arnica spp.) is known for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. It is often used topically in the form of arnica creams and gels to alleviate muscle aches, bruises, and sprains.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a medicinal herb used for its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. It is often used topically as a poultice or in salves to stop bleeding, treat wounds, and relieve skin irritations.
Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a plant whose roots are sometimes used medicinally. It has been traditionally used to support digestion and may have mild laxative properties. Chicory root is also a common ingredient in herbal teas and coffee substitutes.
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is known for its potential to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. It is often used as a supplement or made into tea for this purpose.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is used for its potential liver-protective properties. It contains a compound called silymarin, which is believed to support liver health and detoxification. Milk thistle supplements are commonly used for this purpose.
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a well-known herb used to alleviate symptoms of mild to moderate depression and anxiety. It is available in various forms, including capsules, teas, and extracts.
While not everyone is thinking of medicinal plants when they go to the drug store, four out of ten American adults use healthcare practices that are not typically part of conventional medical care or that may have origins outside of usual Western health-care norms. Such practices are considered “complementary” if used together with conventional medicine and “alternative” if used instead of conventional medicine. Therefore, the term Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) encompasses a wide variety of therapies and systems. My research has shown, for example, that university students have an overall positive attitude toward CAM. Nine out of ten students knew of at least one CAM practice, and three-quarters of students had previous experience with one or more CAM practices. Yoga was by far the most named practice, followed by meditation, massage therapy, aromatherapy, and chiropractic care. At a time when prescription medications often become unaffordable for many, turning to CAM practices can offer hope for many.
Further reading:
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a medicinal herb used for its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. It is often used topically as a poultice or in salves to stop bleeding, treat wounds, and relieve skin irritations.
Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a plant whose roots are sometimes used medicinally. It has been traditionally used to support digestion and may have mild laxative properties. Chicory root is also a common ingredient in herbal teas and coffee substitutes.
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is known for its potential to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. It is often used as a supplement or made into tea for this purpose.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is used for its potential liver-protective properties. It contains a compound called silymarin, which is believed to support liver health and detoxification. Milk thistle supplements are commonly used for this purpose.
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a well-known herb used to alleviate symptoms of mild to moderate depression and anxiety. It is available in various forms, including capsules, teas, and extracts.
While not everyone is thinking of medicinal plants when they go to the drug store, four out of ten American adults use healthcare practices that are not typically part of conventional medical care or that may have origins outside of usual Western health-care norms. Such practices are considered “complementary” if used together with conventional medicine and “alternative” if used instead of conventional medicine. Therefore, the term Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) encompasses a wide variety of therapies and systems. My research has shown, for example, that university students have an overall positive attitude toward CAM. Nine out of ten students knew of at least one CAM practice, and three-quarters of students had previous experience with one or more CAM practices. Yoga was by far the most named practice, followed by meditation, massage therapy, aromatherapy, and chiropractic care. At a time when prescription medications often become unaffordable for many, turning to CAM practices can offer hope for many.
Further reading:
- Reuter, P.R., Holland, L.M., Turello, A.E. (2021) Health Professions Students’ Knowledge of and Attitude toward Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Journal of Alternative, Complementary & Integrative Medicine 7:184. doi:10.24966/ACIM-7562/100184
- Reuter, P.R., Turello, A.E., Holland, L.M. (2021) Experience with, Knowledge of, and Attitudes toward Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Pre-Nursing and Nursing Students. Holistic Nursing Practice 2021;35(4):211–220 doi:10.1097/HNP.0000000000000453
