As well as aiding restful sleep, chamomile can help with a number of digestive disorders and skin problems, says Sarah Stacey

Sipping chamomile tea as a calming drink before bed is as commonplace in Western countries nowadays as having hot milk. And when life gets stressful during the day, many people know the value of chamomile - perhaps with a teaspoon of honey - to calm racing brains and tense nerves. But few of us realise just how many conditions an infusion of this sweetly aromatic herb can help with.

The tiny white flowers and feathery green leaves of German chamomile (Chamomilla recutita), or its close relative Roman chamomile (Chamaeumelum nobile) that probably travelled to Rome in the 16th century from England, is also excellent for many digestive disorders and, when used topically, for sore skin and eczema.

Since the 1st century AD, German chamomile has been used to soothe indigestion and related symptoms such as gastritis, wind, bloating, colic and acidity. It is even claimed to help hiccups. Its gentle action has also proved beneficial in more severe conditions such as hiatus hernia, peptic ulcer, Crohn's disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

How does it work?
Chamomile works by stimulating digestive juices and relaxing the muscles of the gut so that the digestion can function better. German and Roman chamomile are often used interchangeably but a tea made with Roman chamomile is stronger. German chamomile contains a strong antispasmodic called spiroether that makes it good for period pain and muscle tension. As a poultice it helps ease tender breasts.

When chamomile is distilled by steam it releases a compound called chamazulene, which is antiallergenic. Taken internally this helps asthma and hay fever; used externally, as a cream or lotion, it helps eczema and other itchy skin problems, including sore nipples. Putting a cooled, slightly wrung out chamomile teabag over tired eyes eases strain.

Writer Barbara Griggs (author of The Green Witch) reported that, many years ago before she was familiar with the power of herbs, a Spanish doctor prescribed teaspoonfuls of weak chamomile tea for a colicky baby. Much to her surprise, it worked beautifully. You can also use infusions of the dried herb in the bath to calm overtired children. Roman chamomile is useful for headaches and migraine and is quite safe to be taken by children.

German chamomile grows in many parts of Europe and other temperature regions. It's very easy to grow at home: either buy plants or sow the seeds in spring or autumn. Pick the flowerheads on the day they open when the active compounds are at their most powerful. If you prefer to do it the simple way, there are many brands of chamomile teabag on the market, including a good organic range, as well as the dried herb.

General uses
Mild asthma: infuse two-heaped tsp German chamomile in one cup of boiling water in a covered saucepan off the heat. After 10 minutes, remove the lid and inhale the steam for a few minutes; cover your head with a towel to keep the steam in. Then strain and drink the tea.

Breast tenderness or sore nipples: infuse 50g chamomile with 250 ml boiling water and leave for at least ten minutes; then soak cotton pads (tea towels or anything similar will do the trick) in the brew and place over breasts. Repeat as often as you need.

Catarrh and hay fever: inhale as above or put five to ten drops of the essential oil in 750 ml boiling water and inhale for ten minutes.

Colic: for babies/children over six months, make an infusion with one level tsp chamomile to one cup of water and give up to three cups daily; for breastfeeding babies under six months, the mother should drink the tea.

Eczema: make an infusion with 50g dried herb to 750 ml water. Use this hot infusion in a warm (not very hot) bath and soak for at least 20 minutes. Alternatively, cool and apply directly to the itchy area on a cotton wool pad.

Indigestion, bloating, abdominal pain and hiccups: make a teapot of German chamomile and drink up to five cups daily.

Insomnia: drink a cup of German chamomile tea before bed; if using the dried herb, put one to two heaped tsp per cup of water and cover while infusing.

Stomach spasm: make an infusion using three parts chamomile to one part fennel seeds, aniseed, mint leave or angelica root. Drink up to five cups daily.

Caution

• The fresh plant may cause dermatitis
• Don't take the essential oil internally unless prescribed by a qualified herbalist
• Don't use the oil externally during pregnancy