I don't know if this ought to go here or not, but I didn't think it fit well anywhere else. If I'm mistaken, feel free to move the thread! heh
I'm sure we all agree that good, inexpensive home remedies that work are awesome. With this in mind, I'll share with you some uses I have found for Chamomile. You can buy chamomile tea at the dollar store (or at least you can at the ones by my house) and keep it in a cool, dry place if you don't have a chamomile shrub in your garden. ****
To reduce redness and swelling associated with infected cuts or acne: Before bed, make yourself a cup of chamomile tea and drink it, reserving the tea bag (making sure it does not come into contact with sugar or honey, etc). Once the tea bag has cooled enough so that it is warm but not hot, press the bag directly onto the inflamed skin. Leave it there for at least 20 minutes. For acne, this can be done nightly.
Why this works: Chamomile is a natural anti-inflammatory. Working together with the gentle warmth from the hot water, the skin is soothed and calmed, and the redness and inflammation subside. Drinking the tea puts the anti-inflammatory and calmatives directly into your system, which keeps the process going while you sleep.
To soothe anxiety and/or ease fever in pets: Cut open a tea bag and take a small pinch of loose chamomile. Add to canned pet food or other substance your pet enjoys. The larger the animal, the larger the dose you'll need, but start out with very small doses until you're sure your animal won't have an adverse reaction to the plant. Chamomile is used in commercially produced pet relaxers, so it should not cause any problems, but it never hurts to be careful.
You can also apply warm teabags directly to wounds on your pet, to help ease swelling that comes from sprained legs, inflamed scratches, etc.
Why this works: As above, chamomile is a natural anti-inflammatory agent, which will reduce swelling in wounds. It is also a natural relaxant that does not require a prescription and is not harmful to an animal's liver, unlike asprin and tylenol, which are poisonous to pets.
*** Always remember that these remedies are meant to assist the healing process, not to take the place of antibiotics, soap, healthy eating habits, etc. If you suspect your condition is getting worse after using chamomile, stop using it immediately. Seek help from a qualified professional.
I'm sure we all agree that good, inexpensive home remedies that work are awesome. With this in mind, I'll share with you some uses I have found for Chamomile. You can buy chamomile tea at the dollar store (or at least you can at the ones by my house) and keep it in a cool, dry place if you don't have a chamomile shrub in your garden. ****
To reduce redness and swelling associated with infected cuts or acne: Before bed, make yourself a cup of chamomile tea and drink it, reserving the tea bag (making sure it does not come into contact with sugar or honey, etc). Once the tea bag has cooled enough so that it is warm but not hot, press the bag directly onto the inflamed skin. Leave it there for at least 20 minutes. For acne, this can be done nightly.
Why this works: Chamomile is a natural anti-inflammatory. Working together with the gentle warmth from the hot water, the skin is soothed and calmed, and the redness and inflammation subside. Drinking the tea puts the anti-inflammatory and calmatives directly into your system, which keeps the process going while you sleep.
To soothe anxiety and/or ease fever in pets: Cut open a tea bag and take a small pinch of loose chamomile. Add to canned pet food or other substance your pet enjoys. The larger the animal, the larger the dose you'll need, but start out with very small doses until you're sure your animal won't have an adverse reaction to the plant. Chamomile is used in commercially produced pet relaxers, so it should not cause any problems, but it never hurts to be careful.
You can also apply warm teabags directly to wounds on your pet, to help ease swelling that comes from sprained legs, inflamed scratches, etc.
Why this works: As above, chamomile is a natural anti-inflammatory agent, which will reduce swelling in wounds. It is also a natural relaxant that does not require a prescription and is not harmful to an animal's liver, unlike asprin and tylenol, which are poisonous to pets.
*** Always remember that these remedies are meant to assist the healing process, not to take the place of antibiotics, soap, healthy eating habits, etc. If you suspect your condition is getting worse after using chamomile, stop using it immediately. Seek help from a qualified professional.
