Chamomile Handout-small - to HerbalRemediesAdvice.org

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©2015 Rosalee de la Forêt, LLC. All rights reserved.
Page 1
Welcome!
This ebook about Chamomile is my gift to you for attending my webinar on
Creating a Successful Herbal Practice. It contains an excerpt from my
forthcoming book which is expected to be published in March 2017.
Thank you for supporting my work!
Chamomile
Text and photos by Rosalee de la Forêt.
©2015 Rosalee de la Foret, LLC. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of
the author.
The herbal and plant information in this eBook is for educational purposes only. The information within the
Chamomile eBook is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other medical
professional. If you have or suspect that you have a serious health problem, promptly contact your health care
provider. Always consult with a health care practitioner before using any herbal remedy or food, especially if pregnant,
nursing, or have a medical condition.
This ebook contains affiliate links. Using these links to make herb purchases supports the free information in this
ebook. Thank you!
Published by Rosalee de la Forȇt, LLC, Twisp, WA
First digital edition, January 2015. Published in the U.S.A. ©2015 Rosalee de la Forêt, LLC. All rights reserved.
Page 2
All About Chamomile
4
Chamomile Summary
17
Recipes
18
Chamomile & Vanilla Tea
19
Chamomile Popsicles
20
Chamomile Fruit Salad
21
Chamomile Honey
22
Chamomile Sachet
23
Where to Buy Chamomile
24
Citations
25
About Rosalee
26
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ALL ABOUT CHAMOMILE
My introduction to herbal medicine may have been
through Peter Rabbit, the classic story by Beatrix
Potter. In the tale, Peter disobeys his mother,
sneaks into Mr. McGregor’s garden, and starts
eating all the delicious vegetables he finds. The
angry farmer spies Peter and chases him through the garden. Peter barely
escapes, leaving his jacket and shoes behind. After such a tumultuous day, he
didn’t feel well, so his mother put him to bed and gave him chamomile tea. As a
child, I had a plate depicting that scene and can still vividly see Peter’s ears
sticking out of his bed covers while his mother stood ready with the cup of tea.
Peter’s mother was far smarter than I was. For years, I was wrong about
chamomile. I thought of it as gentle and, therefore, weak. I thought that
because it was safe enough for little ones (like Peter Rabbit) it wasn’t effective
for the more serious problems of adults. But that is the beautiful secret of
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chamomile. As beloved herbalist Rosemary Gladstar so wisely says, “Chamomile
demonstrates to us that gentle does not mean less effective.”
CHAMOMILE FOR ANXIETY AND INSOMNIA
Herbalists have long known of chamomile’s ability to soothe someone who is
distressed, anxious, or nervous. The genus name, Matricaria, refers to “mother.”
Some say this is because it offers many benefits for mothers, while others say
that sipping a cup of chamomile tea is like being soothed by a nurturing mother.
A familiar saying in the herbal world is that chamomile works well for children
who are whining or for people who are acting like whining children. (Admittedly,
I’ve had those kinds of days, and chamomile is a welcome gift.)
Sipping strongly brewed chamomile tea calms jangled nerves, which makes it a
great companion after a stressful day or even taken preventively before difficult
situations. I’ve often wondered if traveling would be a lot more enjoyable if
everyone drank chamomile tea instead of coffee in airport terminals.
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While herbalists have been relying on chamomile’s relaxing properties for many
centuries, science is now catching up with validating this traditional use. In an
exploratory study, researchers found that chamomile, even when given in a
relatively small dose (220 mg), was more effective in relieving both depression
and anxiety in people than a placebo.1 Another clinical study found that
chamomile relieved mild to moderate anxiety in people diagnosed with general
anxiety disorder.2
“Chamomile is probably the most widely used relaxing nerving herb in the western
world [and] is safe for use in all types of anxiety and stress-related disorders.”
David Hoffman
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Chamomile can also bring on a deep and restful sleep. I specifically think of
chamomile if someone is having difficulty sleeping because of muscle tension or
anxiety. For this use, it’s best to drink a tea at least an hour before bed (to avoid
nighttime bathroom trips) or use the tincture.
CHAMOMILE FOR PAIN RELIEF
Chamomile is a spasmolytic herb, which means that it relaxes muscle tension.
As a result, it can decrease pain caused by tense muscles or cramping. I
especially love chamomile for relieving menstrual cramps and pain associated
with digestive cramping. A strong cup of chamomile tea or tincture not only
relieves pain quickly, but it also lessens the worry or anxiety associated with
those conditions.
In one clinical study, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were
compared to using chamomile for women with PMS. After two months, those
using chamomile had a similar reduction in pain to those using the NSAID but
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had significantly less emotional symptoms.3 This shows that while chamomile
can effectively decrease pain, it goes beyond this simple use to address other
common complaints of PMS.
Another common problem is shoulder tension, which leads to neck pain and
headaches. A cup of chamomile tea along with a neck massage using
chamomile infused oil can do wonders for relaxing both the mind and the
muscles, helping you unwind from the inside out.
CHAMOMILE FOR HEALING WOUNDS
Chamomile modulates inflammation and is
slightly antimicrobial, making it a great choice
for a variety of inflammatory conditions, such
as wounds, burns, and rashes. For the best
results, use chamomile both externally as an
oil or wash and internally as a tea or tincture.
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Science has also proven chamomile’s ability to modulate inflammation in a
couple of powerful studies. In one, patients who had inflamed veins (phlebitis)
due to intravenous chemotherapy were concurrently given chamomile. Those
patients receiving a 2.5 percent and 5 percent concentration experienced a
significantly shorter duration of phlebitis.4 No one in this study had issues with
toxicity, reminding us that chamomile is effective and gentle.
Another study compared the topical use of chamomile compresses with
hydrocortisone cream for relieving itching and discomfort associated with
peristomal skin lesions in people who have stomas (which is a surgically created
opening in the abdomen that allows stool or urine to exit the body). Participants
were either given a 1 percent hydrocortisone cream or instructed to use
chamomile compresses twice a day. Those using the compresses had a
significantly faster healing time as well as a considerable decrease in pain and
itching compared to those using the steroid cream. The researchers pointed out
that using chamomile in place of the steroid cream prevents serious side effects
associated with topical steroid use, such as thinning of the skin.5
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Another area where chamomile is effective includes treating bleeding gums
caused by gingivitis. Essentially, this condition is an infected wound in the
mouth; however, the effects of gingivitis aren’t just localized. They are often tied
to inflammatory heart disease. In an interesting study, researchers compared
the effectiveness of a chamomile mouthwash with chlorhexidine for bleeding
gums associated with gingivitis. The results showed that the mouthwash had
antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties similar to the chemical overthe-counter-drug.6
CHAMOMILE FOR DIGESTION
Chamomile may be the perfect herb for many types of digestive complaints. As
we’ve seen, it powerfully decreases inflammation, making it a great choice for
inflammatory digestive problems, such as Crohn’s disease, diarrhea, ulcers, and
irritations from food intolerances.
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Remember when I said that chamomile was both effective and safe? The same is
true for its positive effects on digestion. Not only can it help relieve powerful
inflammatory digestive problems in adults, it can also bring relief to children
and has long been used for babies with colic and children with diarrhea. In a
study performed in 2006, children (6 months to 6 years) with acute diarrhea
were given a mixture of chamomile and apple pectin or a placebo. The
symptoms of those receiving the chamomile/pectin mixture showed significant
improvement as compared to those receiving the placebo.7
So, if you have a digestive problem due to anxiety or
worry, painful digestive spasms, or inflammatory
digestive complaints, reach for chamomile. When
consumed before a meal as a strong tea, its bitter
taste can help stimulate a healthy appetite. Taken
after a meal, it can help ease digestive problems,
such as bloating, gas, heartburn, and digestive
spasms.
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CHAMOMILE FOR FEVERS AND INFECTIONS
Parents often ask me what single herb they should have on hand for their
children, and my answer is easily chamomile. It soothes the nervous system,
promotes sleep, helps with digestive problems, and can be used for a variety of
symptoms associated with a cold or flu. For example, chamomile gently relaxes
muscle tension and can help soothe spasmodic or constricted coughs.
Sometimes these types of coughs are caused by dryness or inflammation in the
lungs. You can treat this with chamomile, and it can also be combined with
linden (Tilia cordata) and licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra).
One of the most annoying symptoms of a cold or flu is sinus trouble. Being
stuffed up and unable to breathe or having inflamed and irritated sinuses can
effect your sense of smell and appetite and can just be miserable all the way
around. If left untreated, these symptoms can also make you more susceptible
to developing a sinus infection. Chamomile, inhaled as a steam, can support the
sinuses, help them to drain, and relieve inflammation.
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Fever is one of the most uncomfortable and scary symptoms of the flu.
Herbalists recognize that fevers are a beneficial immune system response and,
in most cases, a fever shouldn’t be artificially lowered; however, when someone
is feeling hot, restless, and uncomfortable, chamomile can be used to release
tension, promote healing sleep, and bring comfort.
Chamomile is also great at treating conjunctivitis or pink eye. I’ve used this
myself on several occasions. The most memorable happened years ago when I
was teaching at my very first herb conference. I woke up the morning of my first
class, and my eye was a gross, goopy mess. I could barely open it, and once I
did, it was incredibly red and inflamed. Luckily, I had a few hours before class,
and I had several bags of chamomile tea in my travel herbal first aid kit. I wet a
bag with warm water and put the bag over my eye for 30 minutes. I took a little
break and then repeated it. By the time I was in front of the class, my eye was
almost back to normal. I repeated the process a couple more times that day,
and by the next day, I was symptom free.
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“The Germans call it allies zutraut, meaning “capable of anything”
because of its many uses.”
Thomas Broken Bear Squier
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USING CHAMOMILE
Most of us are probably familiar with dunking a chamomile tea bag in hot water
for a couple of minutes and then drinking the slightly sweet, aromatic tea. While
this does create a delicious beverage, stronger brews of chamomile are going to
provide profound relief for anxiety, insomnia, pain, inflammation, and cold and
flu symptoms.
Dosage
Tea: 9–15 grams
Tincture: 1:5 40 percent alcohol, 3–6 mL, 3 times per day
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Chamomile is generally considered safe for everyone; however, some people
with sensitivities to the Asteraceae (aster family) may also be sensitive to
chamomile.
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CLOSING THOUGHTS
Drinking a cup of chamomile tea is like getting a warm hug from a loved one. It
can help you relax and unwind after a stressful day, decrease pain caused by
muscle tension or spasms, and strongly reduce inflammation. Chamomile’s best
gifts are that it is gentle while simultaneously offering profound relief. It can be
enjoyed frequently as a tea, as a massage oil, or as a tincture. And because
chamomile is gentle and effective, it works great for adults and children alike!
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CHAMOMILE SUMMARY
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RECIPES
Chamomile & Vanilla Tea
This is my current favorite chamomile tea recipe. I love it brewed up strong just
after dinner. It’s a great way to relax and unwind after the day.
ingredients
2 parts chamomile
1 part oatstraw
1 part rose petals
1/2 part vanilla bean powder
Mix all the ingredients together, this becomes your base blend. (Need help
understanding parts? Then check out this article.)
I brew this up strong, about two tablespoons per 12 ounces of water. Steep for
10 minutes, covered, and sometimes add a bit of stevia leaf or honey for
sweetness. Delicious and very calming - great for an after dinner tea. Or for a simple chamomile tea, use two tablespoons of chamomile flowers per
12 ounces of water. Steep for 10-15 minutes, covered. ©2015 Rosalee de la Forêt, LLC. All rights reserved.
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Chamomile Popsicles
ingredients
2 tablespoons of dried Chamomile
1 tablespoon of dried Hibiscus
1 and 1/4 cup boiling water
1 cup of greek yogurt
honey to taste
pinch of salt
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
Popsicle molds (You can use paper cups and popsicle
sticks)
Begin by making a tea out of the chamomile and
hibiscus. Put the herbs in a cup, pour the water over the herbs, and let steep for
5 minutes. (Sometimes waiting is the hardest part!) Strain into a small bowl
While the mixture is still hot, add honey to taste. Stir well so the honey
combines with the tea. You will be mixing this with the plain yogurt so you may
want to make it more on the sweet side.
Add a pinch of salt and the lemon juice.
Let the mixture cool a little and then add the yogurt and mix well.
Pour into the popsicle molds.
Place these in the freezer until frozen solid. This will take several hours.
This recipe is just one example of how to make herbal popsicles. There are many
different herbs you could use as well. There are also a variety of different
ingredients you could use. For example, you could try adding a mashed banana
or rose hips. If your family has dairy allergies you can easily substitute coconut
milk for the yogurt.
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Chamomile Fruit Salad
Reading about the chamomile fruit salad in
the fourth Herb Fairies Book, Chamomile:
The Secret Trail, inspired me to create recipe
cards for Herb Fairies Book Club. It sounded
so sweet and delicious and I knew I
wouldn’t be the only one to find it enticing.
The addition of the chamomile tea gives a
nice herbal twist to a summer favorite.
ingredients
1 heaping tsp chamomile flowers,
1/4 cup of just-boiled water,
honey (optional),
1 handful of raspberries,
1 banana,
a handful of strawberries,
1 orange or a blend of whatever fruit is in season and available to you,
1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice.
Begin by making a tea from the chamomile. Place the flowers in a cup, pour the
just-boiled water over the flowers, add honey if desired, cover, and let steep for
five minutes. Strain and set aside to cool.
Prepare the fruit for the fruit salad by chopping and/or peeling them into bitesized pieces.
When the tea mixture is cooled add the 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice. Stir well.
Pour the liquid over the fruit and mix the salad until it is evenly coated with the
tea. ©2015 Rosalee de la Forêt, LLC. All rights reserved.
Page 21
Chamomile Honey
Chamomile honey gives us the reassuring
and calming taste of chamomile with the
sweetness of honey. This treat can soothe
a sore throat, have a gentle calming effect,
or help a tummy ache.
ingredients
a small handful of fresh, chamomile flowers,
local organic raw honey,
a small jar
To begin, chop up the fresh chamomile into small pieces and place them in a jar.
Ideally they will fill the jar while loosely packed.
Next, fill this jar with honey. You may need to slightly warm the honey to a more
syrupy consistency in order to get it to mix well.
Now you’ll stir the flowers and honey together. I often use a chopstick for this,
but any instrument you have will do.
Let this sit on the counter for 2 - 3 days. You’ll notice that it has a thinner
consistency now that the honey has pulled some of the water content from the
leaves. If you think this will last longer than a week, you might want to store it in
the fridge to avoid possible fermentation. ©2015 Rosalee de la Forêt, LLC. All rights reserved.
Page 22
Chamomile Sachet
Chamomile sachets are an easy way to enjoy the sweet scent of chamomile
flowers. They can be added to bath water or kept under your pillow for restful
sleep and sweet dreams. You can also use them in your clothing drawers or linen
closet.
ingredients
a small handful of dried chamomile flowers,
1 tsp orris root (optional),
muslin bag or other pretty
little sachet.
Fill the bag about 3/4 full of chamomile flowers. Don’t stuff the bag too full.
Ideally you want enough space so that you can easily squeeze the bag and
release more scent.
Add 1 tsp of orris root. This helps fix the chamomile scent. You can leave this out
if using the sachet in the bath.
Firmly tie the bag shut and enjoy! ©2015 Rosalee de la Forêt, LLC. All rights reserved.
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WHERE TO BUY CHAMOMILE
click here to buy chamomile from Mountain Rose Herbs. ©2015 Rosalee de la Forêt, LLC. All rights reserved.
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CITATIONS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Amsterdam, Jay D, Justine Shults, Irene Soeller, Jun James Mao, Kenneth Rockwell, and Andrew B Newberg.
"Chamomile (Matricaria Recutita) May Provide Antidepressant Activity in Anxious, Depressed Humans: An
Exploratory Study." Alternative therapies in health and medicine 18, no. 5 (2012): 44-9.
Amsterdam, Jay D, Yimei Li, Irene Soeller, Kenneth Rockwell, Jun James Mao, and Justine Shults. "A
Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial of Oral Matricaria Recutita (chamomile) Extract
Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder." Journal of clinical psychopharmacology 29, no. 4 (2009): doi:
10.1097/JCP.0b013e3181ac935c.
Sharifi, Farangis, Masoumeh Simbar, Faraz Mojab, and Hamid Alavi Majd. "Comparison of the Effects of
Matricaria Chamomila (Chamomile) Extract and Mefenamic Acid on the Intensity of Premenstrual
Syndrome." Complementary therapies in clinical practice 20, no. 1 (2014): doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2013.09.002.
Reis, Paula Elaine Diniz Dos, Emilia Campos de Carvalho, Paula Carolina Pires Bueno, and Jairo Kenupp
Bastos. "Clinical Application of Chamomilla Recutita in Phlebitis: Dose Response Curve Study." Revista
latino-americana de enfermagem 19, no. 1 (2011): 3-10.
Charousaei, Firuzeh, Azam Dabirian, and Faraz Mojab. "Using Chamomile Solution or a 1% Topical
Hydrocortisone Ointment in the Management of Peristomal Skin Lesions in Colostomy Patients: Results of a
Controlled Clinical Study." Ostomy/wound management 57, no. 5 (2011): 28-36.
Batista, Ana Luzia Araújo, Ruthineia Diógenes Alves Uchôa Lins, Renata de Souza Coelho, Danielle do
Nascimento Barbosa, Nayara Moura Belém, and Frayni Josley Alves Celestino. "Clinical Efficacy Analysis of
the Mouth Rinsing with Pomegranate and Chamomile Plant Extracts in the Gingival Bleeding Reduction."
Complementary therapies in clinical practice 20, no. 1 (2014): doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2013.08.002.
Becker, Brigitta, Ulrike Kuhn, and Bettina Hardewig-Budny. "Double-blind, Randomized Evaluation of
Clinical Efficacy and Tolerability of An Apple Pectin-chamomile Extract in Children with Unspecific Diarrhea."
Arzneimittel-Forschung 56, no. 6 (2006): doi:10.1055/s-0031-1296739.
Page 25
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ABOUT ROSALEE
I am passionate about helping people explore the natural world through medicinal plants and
healthy living.
My latest passion is creating week-long herbal
adventures so that students can intensively study
the plant world. My first herbal intensive was in
2014 in southern France. 19 students from all over
the world joined us for an incredible week of
exploring the French countryside and learning
about herbs.
I look forward to creating another amazing week in
the Methow Valley in July 2015.
When I am not planning herbal retreats I spend my
time as an herbal educator and a clinical herbalist.
As the Education Director for LearningHerbs I
create Remedies and Recipe articles, write original
lessons, moderate the forums, and curate the
educational content on HerbMentor.com. Besides my work with LearningHerbs, I teach internationally at conferences and private
retreats. I also have a popular mentorship program to help herbal students grow their herbal
knowledge.
I am a practicing clinical herbalist who is passionate about helping people find natural
solutions for chronic disease, so they can live healthy lives. I am a professional member of the
American Herbalist Guild, RH (AHG).
It’s been my honor to have had wise elders guiding me along the way. I have learned a lot
about herbs (and life) from Karen Sherwood, Michael Tierra, Paul Bergner, K.P. Khalsa, jim
mcdonald, and so many others.
When I am not immersed in herbs I carve out time to spend with my husband and my
honorary nieces. You can also frequently find me curled up with a good book in my hammock,
swimming and kayaking in our lakes and rivers, hiking and taking way too many photos of
plants.
Page 27

Chamomile Handout-small - to HerbalRemediesAdvice.org

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