How to brew chamomile, prepare a healing infusion

Chamomile has long been considered the best hemostatic and anti-inflammatory agent; it is actively used to treat diseases. Chamomile is most often used, since its medicinal properties are most pronounced. Other varieties are less effective, so they are practically not used. The plant is specially grown in personal plots, it can be prepared in meadows, or purchased ready-made at a pharmacy. Chamomile decoction is often found in herbalist recipes, let's look at some of them.

Description and composition of chamomile

Chamomile (Matricaria) is a perennial flowering plant. Belongs to the Asteraceae (Asteraceae) family. About 20 types of herbs are known, of which the most popular and widespread is the annual chamomile, which has a huge range of healing properties.

Translated from Latin, the name translates as “uterine grass.” This is due to the use of the plant for various diseases in the field of gynecology. The Russian version is borrowed from the Poles, who in the 16th century called chamomile “Roman flower” (from the Latin “romana”, meaning “Roman”).

It grows up to 20-40 cm in height, has the following appearance:

• the stem is thin, straight, hollow inside;
• leaves are alternate, narrow-linear, with dissections consisting of lobes;
• flowers are white-yellow, of 2 types, collected in inflorescences in the form of hemispherical baskets: in the center there is a bisexual type of yellow color, tubular, at the edges female, false-ligulate, with 3 denticles on the upper edge, white;
• the receptacle usually has a conical shape, hollow inside;
• the fruits are a small elongated achene with 3-4 ribs, with a slightly visible tuft (in some species the tuft is absent);
• The root is thin, taprooted, slightly branched.

The plant has a slight pleasant smell and a bitter taste.

The composition includes a significant number of chemical elements that make chamomile a unique healing agent. Their greatest concentration is in inflorescences, including:

• derivatives of bioflavonoids (vitamin P), vitamin A (carotenes), ascorbic and nicotinic acids;
• compounds of the class of natural organic compounds – coumarins;
• free organic acids;
• polysaccharide compounds;
• plant sterols (phytosterols);
• protein and tannins;
• gum (gum), mucous substances, vegetable bitterness, etc.

Dried inflorescences contain up to 0.8% essential oil. It is used as an antihistamine, antiviral, anti-inflammatory agent.

Advice: you need to collect inflorescences from the first days of May to the last days of August, in dry, clear weather. It is better to choose flowers whose white petals are placed horizontally - they contain the maximum amount of healing components. Plants with petals downward are likely to disintegrate during the drying process, and the essential oil from them will evaporate.

Benefits of the plant

Ancient scientists paid attention to the medicinal qualities of chamomile:

• Hippocrates and Dioscorides used it to stop cramps and painful sensations in patients;
• Pliny the Elder considered the herb an excellent antidote for the bite of a poisonous snake (all components of the plant were used to prepare it) and, in addition, an effective diuretic;
• Avicenna gave chamomile to patients as a strengthening and restorative drug.

Modern researchers have also proven a number of beneficial qualities of chamomile. She:

• relaxes blood vessels and smooth muscles, relieves spasms, cramps;
• relieves feelings of anxiety, tension, depression, eliminates sleep disorders, improves the functioning of the central nervous system;
• has a positive effect on the digestive process, activates the secretion of gastric juice, improves the quality of functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, improves appetite;
• helps with the accumulation of excess gases;
• removes or reduces the level of pain, including during migraine attacks, toothache;
• increases sweating, which at high body temperatures leads to an antipyretic effect;
• as a choleretic agent stimulates the functioning of the gallbladder and its ducts;
• stops bleeding;
• promotes milk production in women during lactation;
• regulates the menstrual cycle;
• strengthens hair, cleanses skin;
• has disinfectant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiallergenic, radioprotective, and adsorbing properties.

Important! You can only take pharmaceutical chamomile internally!

Indications

Rinse with chamomile is required for many ENT diseases. Due to its strong anti-inflammatory effect, the decoction is used to treat the following ailments:

• tonsillitis;
• laryngitis;
• scarlet fever;
• angina;
• pharyngitis;
• stomatitis;
• inflammation of the gums

The decoction reduces the appearance of toothache, and also disinfects the mouth, relieves swelling and inflammation. It can be used for treatment and prevention. There are several recipes for brewing chamomile for gargling. According to reviews, these treatment procedures are effective.

For what diseases and pathologies is it recommended?

Indications for the use of medicinal herbs are:

• inflammatory, bacterial, allergic, thermal lesions of the skin, scratches, purulent wounds, diaper rash, psoriasis, furunculosis, eczema;
• acute and chronic gastric diseases, with inflammation of the mucous membrane (gastritis with low acidity), erosive changes, ulcers;
• impaired motility of the gallbladder, normal functioning of the bile ducts (dyskinesia), excessively active bile secretion, its stagnation, cholecystitis;
• disruptions in the functioning of the respiratory system, bronchial spasms, swelling of the mucous membranes, rhinitis;
• diseases of the genitourinary system, liver, kidneys (hepatitis, kidney stones, etc.);
• colds, flu, acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections, sore throat;
• joint diseases, including arthritis, gout, rheumatism;
• dandruff, hair loss and fragility;
• sleep disorders, depression, neuralgia;
• diabetes;
• dental diseases, infections of the oral cavity, gums;
• overweight;
• disruptions in intestinal function (diarrhea, cramps, colitis, bloating), hemorrhoids;
• conjunctivitis, other eye diseases;
• cervical erosion;
• parasitic infestations;
• various injuries, bleeding, damage to the ligamentous apparatus, connective tissues.

Due to the lack of addiction to the components of the plant, long-term herbal treatment is permissible - up to 3 months.

Recipes

There are a huge number of recipes using chamomile as a healing agent. It is infused, boiled, brewed, creams are made, administered by douching, and added when bathing. Is it possible to drink chamomile infusion? How to make and use grass? What are the instructions for use of chamomile tincture?

Infusion

The benefits of using chamomile infusion are extremely great: it can alleviate the condition of many diseases. The plant is also very popular as a product used in various cosmetology products.

How to prepare chamomile infusion? There are 2 standard manufacturing methods:

1. Cold. From 8 to 10 tsp. chamomile flowers are poured with 2 glasses of cold boiled water. After 10 hours, filter. This product is used externally: as enemas, lotions, rinses.
2. Hot. 1 tablespoon of flowers is poured with 1 glass of boiling water. Leave for 30 minutes, after the specified time, filter until the flower particles are completely removed from the product. The chamomile infusion obtained in this way is consumed orally, hot, before meals.

Both purchased flowers and personally collected and dried flowers at home are suitable for infusion.

For inflammation of the bladder and complications in the kidneys

For people suffering from cystitis and pyelonephritis, the following remedy is suitable:

• take 2 tsp. chamomile flowers;
• pour 1/2 liter of boiling water into them;
• wait 1 hour;
• filter through a couple of layers of gauze.

Take 1 tbsp orally three times a day before meals. spoon.

There is another infusion with the addition of other medicinal herbs, which effectively helps against these diseases. Take in equal amounts:

• chamomile flowers;
• St. John's wort;
• corn silk;
• knotweed (or knotweed);
• cornflower.

1 tbsp. pour 1.5 cups of boiling water over the product, let stand for 1 hour, filter thoroughly. Drink after meals.

For mouth and throat

For inflammation of the oral mucosa (stomatitis), sore throat, and painful sensations in the throat, the infusion is used as a gargle. You will need:

• chamomile flowers - 2 tablespoons;
• boiling water – ½ l;
• good quality honey - 1 tbsp.

Pour boiling water over the inflorescences, filter after 30 minutes. Add honey. Rinse at least 6 times a day.

Advice: to quickly get rid of inflammation and pain in the mouth, along with rinsing procedures, drink chamomile infusion - 1/3 glass three times a day.

In the first phase of a sore throat, make a more concentrated infusion. Put a little boric acid into it and mix thoroughly. The result is a drink that has a strong antibacterial effect and can block pain and inflammation.

To get rid of cough, prepare a hot infusion and drink 50 ml 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals. To achieve the greatest effect, inhalation is carried out at the same time: half a glass of dried chamomile flowers is poured into 0.5 liters of boiling water, allowed to brew, after which the vapors of the resulting infusion are inhaled. Session duration – 15 minutes.

For acne

To get rid of acne take:

• chamomile flowers - 2 tbsp. spoons;
• dry celandine – 1 tbsp;
• boiling water – 1 liter.

Rinsing

It is required to follow the rules of the procedure:

1. It is necessary to use a slightly cooled solution, since procedures can only be performed with a warm one. Due to the hot liquid, the mucous membrane burns, which leads to worsening inflammation.
2. You need to add a little broth. This is required not only to irrigate the surface with microbes, but also to avoid swallowing the solution. But even if the product gets into the esophagus, you should not induce vomiting.
3. You need to throw your head back. Then the procedure will be effective.

The frequency of sessions is determined by the doctor. But the more often you rinse, the more likely it is to heal faster. Usually 8-10 procedures are carried out per day, as with calendula.

Terms of use

There are specific features of using chamomile extract depending on the gender and age of a person.

For men

For men, chamomile will help in the treatment of such an unpleasant male disease as prostatitis. Preparation method:

1. mix 1 teaspoon of chamomile, linden, celandine with 2 tsp. St. John's wort;
2. take 1 tablespoon of the resulting collection;
3. pour 1 cup of boiling water over it;
4. let stand for 1 hour, filter.

Drink the product 2 times a day, 0.5 cups. Duration of treatment – ​​3 weeks.

For women

For women, chamomile is an excellent remedy in the fight against various gynecological diseases, such as thrush, cystitis, cervical erosion, vaginosis, candidiasis, etc. In these cases, it is used in the form of douching.

For manufacturing you will need the following components:

• chamomile flowers – 30 grams;
• knotweed - 50 grams;
• nettle – 30 g;
• oak bark – 10 g.

Mix the ingredients, take 2 tablespoons of the mixture. Pour boiling water (1 liter) into the herb collection, place on low heat, simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, cover with a lid, let stand until cool, then strain.

It is advisable to do douching before bedtime, with a warm solution (+37°C), choosing a comfortable position and extremely relaxing the vaginal muscles. Introduce at a slow pace. Course – 1 week.

For children

Attention! Before using chamomile to treat your child, consult your pediatrician to prevent allergic reactions!

Ingestion of chamomile is contraindicated for infants under 1 year of age; essential oil is contraindicated for children under 6 years of age. It is permissible to use the plant externally in the form of lotions, rubs, and baths from the first days of life in the absence of allergies to the components of the herb.

When making a herbal drink for a child over 1 year old, reduce the saturation used for adults by 2 times by pouring water into the product in a 1:1 ratio. The product improves immunity, improves digestion, blocks the appearance of cramps, and relaxes.

For swimming you need:

1. in 1 tbsp. chamomile pour 1 liter of boiling water;
2. simmer over low heat for 5 minutes;
3. hermetically seal the container with a lid;
4. When the flowers settle to the bottom of the container, strain several times through cheesecloth.

Make sure that chamomile flowers do not come into contact with the sensitive skin of your infant.

Baths provide a calming and anti-inflammatory result. After a swim, the kids fall asleep sooner.

Filter bags

In pharmacies the plant is sold in bags. This product is convenient for making decoction and tea. How to brew chamomile for gargling in bags? You will need 2 bags, which need to be filled with 0.5-1 liter of boiling water. The product is infused for 10-15 minutes. This is a complete recipe for how to brew chamomile gargle in bags.

The resulting solution is used as a prevention and treatment for colds. It can be used as a tea for insomnia and stress. Chamomile tea is consumed with honey, mint, and also in combination with green tea.

Contraindications

Like any medicine, chamomile has a number of contraindications:

• allergy to plant components;
• pregnancy, with caution during lactation;
• presence of mental disorders;
• increased acidity of gastric juice;
• chronic diseases;
• continuous intake of medications vital for maintaining health;
• in the form of douching - after reaching 40 years of age, during the menstrual cycle, in the first month after a miscarriage, childbirth, or surgery.

In case of an overdose, a person may feel irritation, headache, nausea, cough, diarrhea, dizziness, and hoarseness of voice.

Chamomile has a strong healing effect on the human body. It is important to adhere to the recommended amount of components when preparing medicinal products that contain it, and not to exceed the dosage and duration of use.