As a child, I had a dislike for drinking chamomile tea. There was something inside me that revolted against it. Was it the bitter taste, the sick connotation I learned as a child? Sometimes, when I did not feel so well, a steaming cup would be given to me and I would sip it hesitantly. But I seem to sense it and with the same development about some other foods, is growing in appreciation for mostly chamomile as a good food for one's body. It is ideal for one stomach. If you do not feel so well, and your stomach is uneasy, a little chamomile tea, and you feel better. This was my impression, fortunately, and since the effect was rather positive, it lingered in my mind.
It is interesting that people's views about things can be altered throughout life. What was once the bitter pill is now a soothing elixir. Chamomile, this little flower's flower, that blooms profusely in open meadows, such delicacy and such great potential. When I walk through a meadow today and see these small, sunny yellow and pure white blooms, I am filled with gratitude. They are charming to look at, but as I hope my pictures show, they are also little miracles of Nature.
Scientific research has established what folk medicine has affirmed throughout history: Chamomile is a true jack-of-all-trades. Its anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, and calming qualities are essential in every medicine cabinet. And no, it is not just the stomach that benefits from chamomile, it has way more to offer.
Just think about its calming effect at bedtime. A warm chamomile tea in the evening can do wonders to settle the mind and gently ease you off to sleep. The essential oils and flavonoids found in chamomile soothe tension and encourage tranquillity. It is something we should embrace more often in our busy world! A small act of self-care to signify leaving the day behind and staying restored for the following one!
Chamomile isn't good for just drinking either. Did you know you could also use it externally? For example, a chamomile bath will calm your skin irritations, chamomile tea compresses will help to cool minor inflammation, and as a rinse, chamomile can develop gentle light reflections and calm the scalp. It's amazing how multifunctional this one plant is, and how many possibilities there are to tap into its healing abilities. It demonstrates how bountifully nature gives if we just look closely and reconnect with it.
The photos Im sharing with you today are an homage to this small, yet, mighty plant. They depict chamomile in its complete splendor; stretching toward the light and offering us its gifts. Each petal, each yellow seed, tells a tale of healing and wellness. My sincere hope is as you look at these photos, you somehow feel the presence of calm and appreciation that I did when I took each photo of these delightful flowers.
Quite possibly, it is time to renew our acquaintance with chamomile. Not just a remedy for challenges, but as a daily partner for our well-being. A morning cup of chamomile tea can gently usher in the day, a cup during the afternoon can provide a small retreat from daily life, and in the evening it can help us transition to winding down and rest. It is often the simple things that are most impactful on our daily well-being goals. Let us add more of these little natural gifts from the earth into our daily lives. Sometimes the best medicine is outside our front door!🙃✌️
