Chamomile Essay

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Alternative therapies/medicine are greatly used around the world until today’s day. Chamomile has been widely used for thousands of years by children and adults for multiple health conditions. Today, chamomile is used for sleepiness, anxiety, stomach upset, and may also be used topically for mouth ulcers that may occur from cancer treatment. Other beneficial properties of chamomile include: anti-inflammatory properties, stress reliever, painkiller, and an anti-septic. This paper will explore the beneficial uses of Chamomile as a form of alternative medicine, the properties of chamomile, as well as the precautions, risks and monitoring parameters associated with using Chamomile.
Chamomile is one of the most ancient medicinal herbs used today. It is a member of the Asteraceae/Compositae family and comes in two different forms- German Chamomile and Roman Chamomile. Historically, the origin of the name Chamomile can from the Greeks who first noted that the smell resembled that of apples and therefore named it “ground apples.” What gives Chamomile its medicinal properties are its dried flowers, which contain terpenoids and flavonoids (lipids and pigment of the plant). In addition, oils of Chamomile are also used in cosmetics and aromatherapy with a distinct smell. Some traditional uses of Chamomile include: anti-spasmodic and sedative use for gastric disturbances and rheumatoid arthritis, treating parasitic worm infections, a skin wash for ulcers or any skin conditions, and lastly having anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties to treat certain health conditions such as colic, cystitis, fever, flatulence and vomiting.
Chamomile comes in different preparations. Each preparation may provide different clinical benefits. For example...

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.... My family and I have used chamomile for certain health conditions such as conjunctiva of the eye, when battling with the common cold, as an antiseptic for mouth sores, and also as a form of anti-anxiety therapy. I have never used Chamomile in any other form than tea although I am aware that chamomile does come in different preparations such as cream and powder.
Growing up, my family and I were big believers on homeopathy and alternative therapies as opposed to take over the counter medicine. All that I have learned about chamomile is that it is a natural herb that has many beneficial properties. Alternative and complementary medicines are helpful for people of all ages and have many purposes. I believe it is very important for people to be aware of the existing homeopathic therapies because at one point it was all we had and it treated various health conditions.

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