10 Amazing Things You Can Do With Chamomile

Chamomile is a potent herb with wonderful healing benefits. Learn 10 amazing things to do with chamomile from a sleep-aid to a DIY eye treatment.

A wild patch of chamomile lined the driveway of my childhood home. I remember picking the flowers, mashing them between my little hands, opening my palms, and inhaling the sweet apple-like scent of fresh chamomile.

I didn't know squat about chamomile as a kid, and yet somehow, instinctively, I was accessing it's healing power.

Smart cookie I was, and wouldn't you know, I was calm and anxious free.

Chamomile has been used since ancient times for it's calming properties, but also boosts many other healing properties.

While visiting a friend a few weeks ago I noticed her incredible garden filled with gorgeous chamomile. She so kindly sent me home with a big bunch. I was in bliss and decided to find out all the different ways I could use my loot. Let the research begin! Here I have compiled my top 10 list of amazing things you can do with chamomile; from puffy eye relief to a soothing sunburn spray.

Read on friends, comment below which one of these 10 you are going to run out and try!

1. Table of contents

   Calming Sleep Aid

   A warm cup of chamomile tea at bedtime can do wonders for your evening wind down routine since chamomile is known for its calming effect on the nervous system. Additionally, a warm liquid before bed can make you sleepy by raising body temperature.

2. Natural Digestive Relief

   My mom used to put diluted chamomile tea in our bottles as babies to help relieve digestive upset. As it turns out, this works great for grown-ups too (minus the bottle of course). Chamomile's active constituent, bisabolol, has anti-inflammatory properties and relaxes the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract. Drink chamomile tea after meals to relieve belly aches. Be sure to cover the tea while brewing, as many of the active compounds are lost in the steam.

3. Cooling Eye Treatment

   Chamomile contains natural circulation boosters which can help reduce dark under-eye circles. It can also help calm puffy, tired, or irritated eyes.  Simply use previously brewed and chilled chamomile tea bags as cool compresses on your eyes.

1. Soothing Mouth Rinse

   Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe mouth ulcers, canker sores, or irritated gums. Brew a cup of chamomile tea, cool, and rinse your mouth with it. Simple.

2. Rough Skin Treatment

   Chamomile is a natural moisturizer and delivers antioxidants deep into the skin where they can help repair and prevent free radical damage. I used my fresh chamomile buds to make this homemade rough skin treatment and holy cow I love it! (note: If you don't happen to have fresh chamomile growing in your back yard you can order some here)

3. Natural Hair Lightener

   Chamomile is one of the top ingredients used in hair care for brightening blond locks! As a matter of fact, my favorite shampoo is chamomile-based. You can enjoy the benefits of chamomile without seeking out specific products by simply saving the chamomile tea bag the next time you make a cup. After shampooing, rewet the tea bag and squeeze it through your hair, wait a bit, then rinse and condition as usual. I typically will squeeze the chamomile through my hair several times. I've also brewed a strong cup of chamomile tea, allowed it cool, and poured it over my head after shampooing (this was when I really needed a quick blond fix!) It's a great treatment in between salon appointments!

4. Teething Tincture for Babies

   This is such a great gift idea for any new Mom in your life! Due to both, its calmative effect and its ability to reduce pain, chamomile happens to be a fantastic natural remedy for teething babies. I found this recipe for a homemade chamomile tincture on one of my favorite websites, Wellness Mama, check it out here.

5. Sun Burn Cooling Spray

   I have had my fair share of awful sunburns in my life. I have always used fresh aloe to soothe the pain of the sunburn but it turns out that adding chamomile to aloe makes a fantastic sunburn spray. Grab the full recipe here for Chamomile Power Mist.

6. Acne Scar Treatment

   Chamomile has been used for centuries to reduce skin inflammation and improve wound healing. To help reduce the appearance of scarring from acne use a chamomile tea compress. It is best to use dried chamomile flowers rather than chamomile tea bags for this application, you can purchase some here. Pour 8 oz of boiling water over 1 tbsp dried chamomile flowers, steep covered for 5 minutes. Allow to cool slightly. Soak a washcloth in the tea and place over acne scars (be sure your face is freshly washed). Leave for 10-15 minutes.

7. Anti-Itch Cream for Bug Bites

   Yes, my friends one more amazing thing to do with chamomile! I am a country girl at heart and love spending time outdoors, but hate itchy bug bites. Ugh, the worst. Chamomile to the rescue!! Chamomile can calm the annoying itchy bug bites due to the anti-inflammatory properties, and its ability to neutralize allergies and regenerate skin. I found this groovy recipe for an all-natural homemade anti-itch cream.  I also thought freezing chamomile tea in ice cube trays and putting a cube directly on the bug bite would work? It's just a theory… someone gives it a try and let me know.

Whew. That's quite a list! Now the only thing left to do is acquire a hefty bunch of chamomile and get to work! This is my favorite source for dried organic chamomile flowers unless you grow them in your own garden – then please send some along to me 🙂

DELICIOUS RECIPES USING CHAMOMILE

Calming Chamomile Cupcakes – Gluten Free

Hibiscus Chamomile Adaptogen Latte