Screw Chamomile

By: Peggy Willms

(3 min read)

I CAN’T SLEEP… whether it is Day Light Saving Time or not! Spring Ahead – Fall Back – it doesn’t matter. I CAN’T SLEEP.

“Have you tried Chamomile?”

Grrrrr – yes, people! Well, I mean a few times – well, not like regularly, but what’s the point I am sure it doesn’t work. Does it? 

Okay, so let’s start at the beginning – why can’t I sleep, you ask? Maybe it is simple. I love burning the candle at both ends just like many of you who are blessed to have a job you love. Or if you are like me, you don’t want to sleep because you are afraid you will miss something. That’s what my mom said about me and “naps.” I always hated them.

Most of us have our own “average hours slept” range—a range where we feel the best version of ourselves. I feel best between 6.5-7 hours of sleep a night, whereas others might feel dialed in between 8-9 hours. However, when I am on over-drive, super focused, or stressed, I can average weeks of 4-5 hours a night. Maybe you, too?

See, I love being manic. Most days, I am on fire. Task List… check…  check… check… And yeah, I get a bit tired mid-afternoon (it shouldn’t be shocking when I sleep five hours) so I java up with one of my favorite beverages (coffee) and grab one of my favorite unicorn mugs. Sure, I might also treat myself to a slice of my favorite carrot cake – both of which pump enough fuel into my engine to idle me gently into the night. How exciting – I can keep checking off my boxes.

I know what you are thinking…stop drinking caffeine, you dumb ass. Well, it isn’t that simple. You see, I have never required much sleep, so caffeine isn’t the issue. Don’t exercise at night, then! Good try on that one, too. But Sweating to the Oldies never kept me up either. How about a hot bubble bath or spewing lavender bolsters out of your diffuser? Surely that will glide you into a slumber. Nope Nope Nope. And now you have all the answers, don’t you?

No…you are back to the Chamomile thing again – you want me to give chamomile another shot. Sure. WTH.

Let’s try frickn chamomile again. Just what I want to do…drink a big mug of hot water before bed so I can be up all night emptying my bladder.

First, I did a bit of research. Chamomile Tea…What is it? Where does it come from? What does it do?

Chamomile is dried flower native to Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America, and they bloom during the early summer months. Okay. Chamazulene is an aromatic chemical compound in Chamomile that possesses profound powers and properties.

The claims sound breathtaking like a liquid vacation. “Are you suffering from stress, a tough workload, screaming kids, or even a cold then steep a hot cup of Chamomile tea, inhale its wonderful floral fragrance and then see your worries disappear as you sip this magical golden brew.” This a quote I literally found to describe the Chamomile experience. How could I possibly deny such bliss?

So then I compiled this illustrious list of praise – what a lovely blend it is:

  1. Derived from Matricaria chamomilla, known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, the Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians used it to treat wounds and promote healing.
  2. Relaxes the nervous system.
  3. Naturally sedates, thereby reducing stress.
  4. Boosts immune system in fighting harmful bacteria.
  5. Reduces nasal congestion.
  6. Reduces spasms and “the monthly” pains.
  7. It Is used for the treatment of various gastrointestinal disturbances, including flatulence, indigestion, diarrhea, anorexia, motion sickness, nausea, and vomiting.
  8. Heals skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
  9. It Is packed with antioxidants that helps boost your skin health, lighten the complexion, and give you that desired glow.
  10. If used topically, it helps fade spots and eliminate acne scars due to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
  11. Protects the skin from free-radical damage, accelerates cell and tissue regeneration, tightens pores, and slows down aging.
  12. Works wonders on sunburns. Brew and chill the tea. Soak a towel in it – place on a sunburn. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties work wonders.
  13. Lightens the eye area dramatically and reduces puffiness when using chilled, used Chamomile tea bags. Place the chilled tea bags over your eyes.
  14. Reduces or eliminates dandruff by soothing scalp irritation and promotes healthy hair when using tea as a final rinse after washing hair.
  15. AND CAFFEINE FREE.

Whether Chamomile works for sleep or not, after reading about all of its benefits, I am about to be this dang flower’s poster child. And since I am awake, I should be boiling some of its miraculous bags to chill on my eyeballs.

I will never say SCREW CHAMOMILE again. I will eat it, drink it and hell sleep with it…and then I will apparently…

…never be nervous again, have digestion issues, sunburn, have bags under my eyes, have acne or psoriasis, and will be dandruff-free hair. I could still be exhausted, but damn I’ll look good.

Bring on the Chamomile, beotches!

Peggy Willms
                                                                     All Things Wellness, LLC
                                                                  peggy@allthingswellness.com

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