Chamomile tincture on alcohol

Chamomile is the most popular herbal remedy in the home medicine cabinet. It is used to solve health problems, to get rid of pain, dermatitis, acne and pimples on the skin. Decoctions and infusions of water are prepared from chamomile. But it is best to use it in the form of an alcohol solution. Alcohol not only extends the shelf life of the plant, but also extracts all the beneficial substances from it as much as possible.

Beneficial properties of chamomile alcohol solution

Chamomile is valuable for its antiseptic properties, widely used in normalizing the functioning of the stomach and intestines. In addition, chamomile preparations have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, soothing, and analgesic effects.

Chamomile alcohol tincture is indispensable:

1. for colds;
2. to maintain liver function when there is a tendency to bile stagnation;
3. for peptic ulcers, gastritis;
4. to eliminate nervous tension, normalize heart function;
5. with neurosis;
6. during periods of significant intellectual stress;
7. in the treatment of certain female diseases;
8. to normalize sebum production during puberty;
9. for disinfection of wounds.

Video: Beneficial properties of chamomile

How to prepare the tincture

Chamomile tincture can be purchased at a pharmacy, but it is much more convenient to prepare it at home. Pour chamomile flowers, prepared yourself or purchased, with vodka in a ratio of 1:5. Leave to infuse in a cool, dark place for seven days. It is advisable to shake the container with liquid daily. After a week, strain, squeeze the raw material well so that all the liquid is gone. Place the resulting solution in a bottle or dark glass jar. Keep refrigerated.

To prepare products intended for internal use, it is advisable to purchase chamomile at a pharmacy. If you try to collect it yourself, you can confuse chamomile with other types of this plant that are not very different in appearance. These varieties are also effective, but only for external use.

A properly prepared tincture has a rich brown color, is transparent, and smells like chamomile. This is a very strong drug concentrate, so it is important to adhere to the rules for its use. Before treatment, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

Storage and dosage

Medicinal herbs infused with alcohol must be stored in a tightly sealed container at room temperature and in a dark place. You don't have to keep them in the refrigerator, you can put them in a cabinet. The main thing is that the sun's rays do not fall on them. The shelf life is unlimited. A single dose for medicinal purposes should not exceed 10-30 drops.

Application of tincture

An alcoholic tincture of chamomile treats disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, cleanses blood vessels, and is suitable for hypotensive patients as a means of increasing blood pressure, relieving dizziness, and adding strength. This is an excellent disinfectant. Correct use and compliance with the dosage can prevent many diseases and cure existing ones.

For the treatment of the digestive system

For inflammation of the gastric mucosa, spasms in the intestines, chronic gastritis, colitis, stool disorders, to remove inflammatory processes in the digestive organs and normalize the microflora, you should take chamomile tincture daily half an hour before meals. A single dose (10-20 drops) is diluted in a small amount of water. The course of treatment depends on the time required to achieve the desired result.

To normalize heart function and increase blood pressure

Take a teaspoon every other day, regardless of meals. If desired, you can dilute with a small amount of water.

Mouth rinse

In case of violation of the integrity of the oral mucosa, infection, certain dental diseases, after painful tooth extraction, it is used as a strong antiseptic, diluted with boiled water at room temperature in a ratio of at least 1:2. Take the liquid into your mouth and try to hold it for as long as possible. Spit it out. The procedure is carried out several times a day as necessary until the desired result is obtained. You can make compresses locally by applying a sterile gauze pad soaked in a solution to the area of ​​concern.

For general strengthening of the body

For the prevention of diseases, excellent physical and emotional well-being, an alcohol solution is prepared. Take 1 tbsp per liter of vodka. l. chamomile flowers, dill seeds and anise. Infuse the mixture for forty days in a cool, dark place. Take 1 tbsp. l. in the morning and in the evening.

In home cosmetology

To lighten freckles, it is better to use natural remedies, among which chamomile is one of the most effective. Chamomile tincture will have a stronger effect if used with the addition of finely chopped parsley (50 g per 100 ml) or the juice of one lemon. Apply a napkin moistened with the product to the area of ​​skin with age spots or freckles.

To get rid of age-related pigmentation in two weeks, mix chamomile tincture with hydrogen peroxide in equal proportions, add 2 drops of ammonia. Apply the liquid directly to the stain or as a compress. Use daily until you get the expected result.

For washing and daily cleaning of problem skin, the tincture is added to boiled water in the proportion of 1 tbsp. l. for 200 ml. Store this lotion in the refrigerator in a tightly closed container. Wipe your face morning and evening.

Compresses for problem skin

Chamomile tincture in the form of compresses is used in the care of problem skin prone to acne, as an antiseptic and wound-healing agent.

Compound:
Chamomile tincture – 100 ml
Boric acid – 1 pinch
Aspirin – 2 tablets, crushed into powder
Analgin – 2 tablets, ground into powder

Application:
Mix all ingredients. Soak gauze or a clean cloth in the mixture and apply to the problem area for 15-20 minutes. The procedure can be performed 2-3 times a day as needed.

Contraindications

Alcohol tincture of chamomile is not recommended:

1. with individual intolerance;
2. children under 12 years old;
3. pregnant and lactating women;
4. for acute gastrointestinal diseases.

It is not recommended for people whose occupation requires driving a vehicle. Abuse of chamomile can lead to weakness, headache, and depression.

If alcohol tincture is not suitable

Herbal tincture with alcohol is the most effective medicine that can be prepared at home. But alcohol-containing products are not always appropriate. An excellent solution in this case is chamomile infusion. When prepared correctly, all the beneficial substances of the plant are preserved. The only drawback is short storage. It is better to prepare the infusion immediately before use in the amount required for a single dose.

To prepare chamomile infusion, you need to pour a tablespoon of plant material into a glass of hot water (temperature 90-95°). Leave for 20-30 minutes covered. Strain thoroughly through several layers of cheesecloth to remove all small particles.

Water infusion of chamomile is used:

1. in the form of herbal tea;
2. for colds as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic;
3. for gargling with sore throat;
4. in case of gastrointestinal disorders accompanied by diarrhea, flatulence;
5. for the care of sensitive and inflamed skin (washing, wiping);
6. to relieve tired eyes and conjunctivitis;
7. for douching for some gynecological problems;
8. for washing all kinds of wounds, ulcers, abscesses;
9. for bathing infants.

Video: How to prepare chamomile infusion as tea

To prepare chamomile tincture (tincturam pyrethri in Latin), flowers of the medicinal or fragrant varieties of a representative of the Asteraceae family are used. Field beauty has bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and sedative properties. Some recipes involve the use of rhizomes and leaves of the plant.

Recipes use: flowers, leaves and rhizomes of the plant

In medicine, chamomile tincture helps with bladder problems, gynecological diseases, reduced immunity and inflammation of the epidermis. The use of chamomile alcohol tincture in cosmetology is aimed at rejuvenating facial skin and eliminating hair loss. Despite its undoubted advantages, the drug is taken with caution, which is worth understanding in more detail.

What are the benefits of chamomile tincture?

Main components of the plant:

1. vitamins (A, C, B3);
2. essential oils, fatty acids (palmitic, oleic);
3. polymers of monosaccharides;
4. trace elements (copper, potassium, zinc).

The wide spectrum of action of chamomile flower tincture includes its assistance in complex therapy for the following pathologies and cosmetic defects:

1. gastrointestinal diseases (colitis, gastroduodenitis);
2. central nervous system disorders (insomnia, depression, neurosis);
3. diseases of the cardiovascular system (hypertension);
4. pathologies of the genitourinary system (cystitis, thrush);
5. gynecological problems (cervical erosion);
6. colds (ARVI);
7. inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat (stomatitis, gingivitis);
8. skin pathologies (demodex, wounds, boils, pimples);
9. inflammatory eye diseases (barley);
10. baldness and hair fragility;
11. cosmetic defects of the epidermis (pigment spots, freckles).

In order for the tincture to bring benefit and not harm, you need to remember that the product, aged in vodka according to the usual standard of 40%, does not imply preliminary dilution of the alcoholic drink, and the alcohol base (with an indicator of 96%) when making the tincture is diluted with boiled water to avoid burns water in a ratio of 1:2.

The tincture should be used with caution

Where is chamomile tincture used?

Alcohol or vodka products are used in the following areas of human activity:

1. In traditional and folk medicine. Used as a mouth rinse for disinfection and to relieve pain from stomatitis and sore throat. Chamomile tincture is used to treat ulcers, scratches and styes. It is necessary for wiping the skin in case of irritation of the epidermis. Rinse the nose with a tincture of the plant when mucus accumulates in it. The product is also used for enemas for prostatitis and hemorrhoids.
2. In cosmetology. The benefits of chamomile tincture have been appreciated by women who use it to lighten light brown hair at home. An alcohol-based product is added to the shampoo for seborrhea and dandruff. For purulent inflammation, age spots and freckles, problem areas of the skin are wiped with a tincture of the plant.
3. When making alcohol. The flowers, aged in vodka along with anise and dill seeds for 40 days, make it possible to prepare a flavored alcoholic drink.

Chamomile tincture with calendula

To enhance the effectiveness of the remedy, the flowers of the plant are combined with other medicinal herbs.

What is it used for?

In medicine, chamomile tincture with calendula is used for hypertension. In cosmetology, an alcohol-based herbal mixture will help get rid of acne and freckles.

Recipe

Equal amounts of dried chamomile and calendula flowers - 1 tbsp. l. each plant is crushed and mixed. The resulting powder is poured with 100 ml of diluted alcohol or vodka and stored in a dark place for 2 weeks.

For hypertension, the tincture is consumed for a month three times a day, 25 drops. To eliminate acne, problem areas are wiped with the composition until the inflammatory process completely disappears.

Chamomile flowers are combined with other herbs to enhance the healing effect

Chamomile infusions: diseases and recipes

You can purchase a ready-made drug at a pharmacy, and if possible, make a tincture at home.

For inflammation of the respiratory tract

After approval of the product by the therapist, a herbal mixture of dried chamomile flowers, anise seeds and dill is used. 3 tbsp. l. Assorted plants are poured into 1 liter of vodka and infused for 1.5 months. The drink is consumed twice a day, 1 tbsp. l. until the cough disappears.

For kidney diseases and chronic cystitis

For pyelonephritis in any phase of the disease, the use of tincture is prohibited. It is better to replace it with 100 ml of chamomile tea three times a day.

For cystitis, the use of tincture is permissible if a severe course of the disease is not diagnosed. At the same time, 2 tbsp. l. a herbal mixture of lingonberries, bearberry, nettle and horsetail is poured with a glass of boiling water. Add 5 drops of chamomile tincture to the healing liquid, aged for 30 minutes. The drug is drunk 1 tsp. twice a day 15 minutes before meals for two days.

For stomach disorders
During stomach cramps, pour 200 g of hawthorn fruit into 1 liter of boiling water and let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes. The resulting infusion is mixed with 20 drops of chamomile tincture and drunk warm, 1 tsp every 2 hours. until the spasm is relieved.

For acute gastritis

With the permission of the gastroenterologist, 50 g of dried plant flowers are poured with 250 ml of vodka. After a week of exposure in a dark place and periodic shaking of the healing liquid, it is filtered and stored in the refrigerator. The tincture diluted in 150 ml of mineral water is taken 20 drops three times a day before meals until pain is eliminated.

For diarrhea and dysentery

A tendency to diarrhea is included in the list of contraindications for taking the tincture. In isolated cases of diarrhea, the patient's condition can be alleviated. It’s better to stock up on the tincture in advance, because it keeps well in the refrigerator. Two small heads of garlic are crushed and mixed with 1 tbsp. l. dried chamomile flowers, ground into powder. The mixture is poured with 200 g of vodka and kept for 9 days in a dark cabinet. Dosage regimen: 10 drops 3 times a day until diarrhea stops.

For thrush

Douching for candidiasis is carried out using a decoction of the flowers of the plant. Due to the alcohol content in it, chamomile tincture for thrush is used only for washing the external genitalia. 20 drops of pharmaceutical preparation are diluted in a liter of boiled water. Washing is done in combination with the use of vaginal suppositories for candidiasis.

For intestinal cramps and bloating

For intestinal dysfunction and flatulence, prepare a herbal mixture of 1 tsp. valerian and ¼ tsp. cumin seeds. The sounded components are poured into 50 ml of boiling water and infused for 20 minutes. As the liquid cools, add 5 drops of chamomile alcohol solution to it. The drink is drunk in small sips and then for a couple of days they adhere to a strict diet in the form of crackers, lean meat and steamed vegetables.

For inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat

The flowers of the plant are poured with vodka in a ratio of 1:5 and the infusion is kept for 7 days. Dilute the alcoholic mixture with boiled water in a ratio of 1: 2 and put it in your mouth for a couple of minutes 2-3 times a day until the inflammation subsides.

For inflammatory eye diseases

The emerging barley should be carefully lubricated with iodine using a cotton swab. Treatment of the affected area with chamomile tincture will help no less effectively. The main condition is to ensure that the drug does not get on the mucous membrane of the eye.

Chamomile tincture can be prepared at home

Chamomile in gynecology

The healing gift of nature is valued by women for its anti-inflammatory properties.

General Use and Recipe

Chamomile flowers are used for douching, bathing and treatment by inserting tampons soaked in a decoction of the plant into the vagina. Tincturam pyrethri is prepared for external use for thrush and irritation of the external genitalia.

For inflammation in the perineal area, 1 tsp. lemon balm, pour 250 ml of boiling water and keep the liquid in a warm place for 1 hour. Add 15 drops of chamomile tincture to the infusion and treat the inflamed areas of the intimate area with it until it is completely healed.

Is it possible to treat with chamomile tincture during pregnancy?

The product mentioned above contains alcohol, so it is contraindicated for expectant mothers during pregnancy. As an exception, the gynecologist allows patients to wash with a diluted tincture for thrush. Douching even with chamomile decoction is prohibited for pregnant women due to the threat of miscarriage.

Chamomile tincture is valued by women for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Chamomile infusions in cosmetology

At home, you can prepare a product based on the named plant, which is not inferior in effectiveness to branded products.

For facial skin

2 tbsp. l. Chamomile flowers are poured into 300 ml of vodka and left for 7 days. Store the lotion in the refrigerator, wiping the skin of the face and neck with it in the morning and evening. For dry skin, the recipe can be supplemented by adding 300 ml of boiled water and 2 tbsp to the cleanser. l. honey

To whiten problem areas of the epidermis, 5 drops of pharmaceutical tincture are mixed with the juice of one lemon and chopped parsley. The product is used to treat freckles or age spots and after half an hour it is washed off with warm water.

Recipe for strengthening hair

For dry hair loss, tincture of chamomile and calamus will help. One tsp. herbs are poured into 250 ml of vodka, the liquid is kept for 3 days and mixed with 100 ml of olive oil. The resulting composition is lubricated along the entire length of the hair, hidden under a plastic cap and towel for an hour. Then the mask is thoroughly washed off with warm water and the procedure is repeated after 7 - 10 days.

To strengthen normal and oily hair 1 tbsp. l. dried chamomile flowers are poured into 200 ml of vodka and the solution is infused for 2 days. After straining, add 3 tbsp. l. onion juice. The product for strengthening curls is rubbed into the scalp and then washed after an hour. After 3 - 5 days the procedure is repeated.

Hair care recipe
1 tbsp. l. chamomiles are poured with 200 ml of vodka. The infusion time for the shampoo base for hair shine is 2 days. After filtering, the tincture is mixed with two egg yolks and the hair is washed with the resulting mixture once a week.

For acne

For purulent rash, 1 tbsp. l. dried chamomile flowers are ground into powder and diluted in 200 ml of vodka. After a week of exposure in a dark place, wipe the acne with the tincture. You can add sage, St. John's wort and birch buds to the flowers to obtain 1 tbsp. l. phytocollection

Compresses from chamomile tincture relieve the inflammatory process when mixing the following pharmaceutical drugs:

1. boric acid - 3 mg (pinch):
2. chamomile tincture - 100 ml;
3. analgin and aspirin - 2 tablets each.

The duration of application of a compress soaked in the tincture is 15 minutes twice a day until acne disappears while following a diet.

Chamomile for weight loss

200 g of herbal mixture of dried chamomile and motherwort flowers are poured into 1 liter of vodka. The shelf life of the product without shaking is 1 month. The weight loss product is diluted with 100 ml of water per 20 ml of tincture and drunk after dinner for a month.

Chamomile tincture is also used for weight loss

Citrus fruits help women lose weight. Two medium-sized lemons are peeled and seeded, crushed in a blender and filled with 70% alcohol. Add 1 tbsp to the resulting mass. l. powdered dry rhizomes, leaves and flowers of chamomile. After shaking the product daily for 3 weeks, drink the tincture for 28 days before breakfast at the rate of 50 ml of water per 25 ml of alcohol composition.

Contraindications

Restrictions depend on the method of use of chamomile tincture.
Contraindications for oral use:

1. gastrointestinal diseases in the acute stage;
2. pyelonephritis;
3. pregnancy in any trimester;
4. breast-feeding;
5. allergic reaction to chamomile;
6. tendency to diarrhea;
7. alcoholism;
8. children under 3 years of age.

Prohibitions when using the tincture externally:

1. individual intolerance to the plant;
2. deep ulcers and bedsores.

You can drink chamomile tincture and apply it externally only after consulting a doctor. In the absence of contraindications, it will be useful both in accompanying therapy of serious diseases and for cosmetic purposes.

Chamomile tincture in the narrow sense of the term is a preparation based on chamomile flowers, prepared by infusing this raw material with alcohol or vodka.

Chamomile tincture is precisely an alcohol tincture, which distinguishes it from a water infusion.

Sometimes a tincture is also called an aqueous infusion of chamomile, but in the strict understanding of these terms, an infusion is a product made with water, and a tincture is a preparation made with alcohol.

We talked about water infusion in detail in a separate article, so now we will consider exclusively an alcohol-based product.

The main advantage of chamomile alcohol tincture over other preparative forms (including decoction and tea) is its ability to be stored for a long time without loss of beneficial properties. Once prepared, it can be kept in the refrigerator for several months and consumed until completely used up. Therefore, the instructions for using alcohol tincture differ significantly from the rules for using aqueous preparations.

Water-based products are suitable for use within only a few days after preparation.

At the same time, the preparation of the tincture itself is more complex and time-consuming than the preparation of aqueous preparations. Some diseases end before the patient has time to prepare the tincture. Therefore, as a rule, this remedy is prepared in advance for the treatment of various chronic diseases, and then used regularly and constantly.

If you pour chamomile raw materials with alcohol, initially all the leaves and grass float to the surface, and then as they infuse, they settle to the bottom.

Another important disadvantage of chamomile tincture is the large number of side effects that occur with its use and the limited use of it for many groups of patients. Therefore, in general, this remedy is used less frequently than aqueous chamomile preparations.

However, due to the presence of alcohol, the tincture has some properties that distinguish it from other chamomile remedies. You need to know this specificity, both when taking the tincture itself and when choosing, in fact, the drug for the treatment of a particular disease.

Medicinal properties of tincture

In terms of its medicinal properties, chamomile tincture is generally identical to a water infusion or decoction. The active ingredients in it are the same as in the original raw materials or in the same tea or decoction, and therefore the effect on the body is similar.

On the left is chamomile tea, in the center is a tincture, on the right is a chamomile decoction.

It is interesting that the WHO, in describing chamomile as a medicine, mainly points to the evidence base of chamomile extract used in a solution of 45% ethanol. In fact, this is the same alcohol tincture of chamomile in vodka. The following properties are known and confirmed for it:

1. Anti-inflammatory - by contacting directly with inflamed tissues, the tincture weakens inflammation and reduces the severity of its symptoms;
2. A mild pain reliever - chamazulene from chamomile flowers exhibits a pronounced analgesic effect. For these purposes, the tincture is sometimes used to treat open wounds and ulcers, as well as for gargling and eye lotions for inflammation;
3. Antispasmodic, allowing the tincture to be used for digestive disorders associated with spasms of the intestinal muscles;
4. Calming, normalizing sleep and promoting general relaxation;
5. Antibacterial, albeit somewhat limited. For example, when gargling for a sore throat, a diluted tincture will not destroy a streptococcal infection, but when treating the skin with a tampon with the same tincture, it is quite possible to disinfect it;
6. Wound healing - it has been proven that when treating open wounds and trophic ulcers with a diluted tincture, the edges of the wound dry out faster, and tissue regeneration occurs in a shorter time;
7. Anti-allergenic - when treating skin rashes, it helps them disappear. This, however, is a slippery point - sometimes chamomile itself causes allergies, and quite severe ones at that.

At the same time, due to the alcohol content, chamomile tincture can lead to irritation and burns of tissues, especially mucous membranes. For this reason, it is usually diluted with water for use.

The concentrated tincture may even cause skin irritation.

There are also suggestions that the tincture has an antiviral effect (including a preventive effect - it protects against ARVI infection), antifungal, choleretic, and antioxidant. However, such properties have not been confirmed by research, and the antifungal effect has even been refuted by experimental data: in patients, chamomile tincture was used to combat thrush and did not give any results.

There is also information about the use of chamomile tincture orally to treat inflammation of those organs with which the drug does not directly contact. For example, it is drunk to treat cystitis, pyelonephritis, prostatitis, diseases of the female genital organs, as well as bronchitis and pneumonia. However, its effectiveness in this application has not been proven.

Why and for what diseases is this tincture used?

The main area of ​​application of chamomile tincture is the treatment of inflammation of the skin, mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes, various injuries - wounds, scratches, ulcers and others.

Due to the regenerating effect of chamomile components, the tincture has a pronounced wound-healing effect.

In particular, it is used:

1. For mouth rinsing for gingivitis, stomatitis, glossitis - in this case, procedures can relieve pain and shorten recovery time;
2. For gargling with sore throat, chronic tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis - similarly, to relieve pain;
3. For processing barley before the eyes;
4. For washing the eyes with conjunctivitis, blepharitis and other diseases - this helps reduce inflammation;
5. For treating wounds, scratches, ulcers, skin abrasions;
6. For wiping the skin in areas of rashes, irritation, itching, acne;
7. For washing with some gynecological diseases, as well as with hemorrhoids in both women and men;
8. For rinsing the nose in order to relieve swelling, wash out some mucus and allergen;
9. For performing enemas for hemorrhoids, prostatitis, colitis;
10. For applying compresses in places of abscesses for their speedy maturation and resolution;
11. For treating bite sites of various blood-sucking and stinging invertebrates - insects, ticks, spiders, leeches;
12. As an additive to shampoos for washing hair for itchy skin, dandruff and seborrhea.

All these procedures relate to the local use of tincture, since with them the product does not enter the digestive tract, and its components do not penetrate the bloodstream.

Partly due to their safety when used externally, chamomile preparations are widely used in cosmetology.

Chamomile tincture is used internally to treat various diseases of the digestive tract: gastritis, enteritis, gastroduodenitis. However, in these cases it is necessary to use it very carefully and only under the supervision of a doctor, since the alcohol contained in the product can, on the contrary, provoke pain in the areas of ulcers and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines.

Much less often, the tincture is used internally to normalize mood and obtain a sedative effect - chamomile tea is more often used for such purposes.

There are also folk methods of douching with chamomile tincture for intimate hygiene of women and treatment of inflammatory diseases of the internal genital organs. However, such douching is considered today to be extremely harmful, since its side effects significantly outweigh the benefits obtained from them.

There is also the practice of using chamomile tincture as a means of inducing vomiting or intensifying menstruation. If menstruation is delayed, chamomile can stimulate it. For these purposes, the tincture is also used orally, but you need to remember about these properties, since it is because of them that side effects can also develop.

Stimulating menstruation with chamomile should be done with great caution, since a delay can be caused by pregnancy.

Chamomile tincture is also often used in cosmetology. It is used to apply lotions to the skin of the face to cleanse the surface and relieve irritation after a long stay in the wind. The same lotions help destroy a large number of pathogenic microorganisms, which ultimately leads to a reduction in the severity of acne and the severity of various pustular rashes.

In fact, it is chamomile tincture that is included in various creams and ointments used in cosmetology to normalize skin condition. These preparations contain chamomile extract, but this extract is obtained in exactly the same way as you would use to make a tincture at home.

The same lotions are considered one of the effective means of combating rosacea and demodicosis.

Chamomile tincture can be used to treat the skin in its pure form, or you can mix it with various vegetable oils.

For all of these diseases, chamomile tincture can only influence the symptoms, but is not able to cure the disease on its own. Effective treatment requires the use of other methods and remedies, to which chamomile can only be used in addition, for symptomatic therapy.

Possible side effects from its use

Chamomile tincture can cause serious side effects. Some of them are due to the effect of chamomile, the other part is due to the effect of alcohol from the composition of the product.

So, chamomile is responsible for the following undesirable consequences from using the tincture:

1. Allergy - due to the content of a large number of biologically active components, chamomile can provoke severe allergies, although in many cases, on the contrary, it is used to alleviate allergies caused by other allergens;
2. Diarrhea - This side effect is relatively rare and only occurs in people who are generally prone to diarrhea. Nevertheless, it does occur and is sometimes observed in young children who, despite contraindications, are given chamomile preparations, and it must be taken into account;
3. Excessive stimulation of uterine activity, due to which miscarriage may occur in the early stages of pregnancy, and premature birth in the last weeks;
4. Vomiting, more often in children and mainly when taking a concentrated tincture. Here, in addition to the bitter taste of chamomile, the alcohol itself stimulates the reflex.

Alcohol, in turn, can cause irritation of the mucous membranes, drying them out during direct processing, and even burns when using undiluted tincture.

Chamomile tincture is prepared with both alcohol and vodka.

It is also known that alcohol provides some hypotensive effect due to vasodilation. Sometimes (for example, with hypertension) this is useful, but even with low blood pressure this action may be undesirable.

Finally, when treating blood anticoagulants, chamomile tincture can enhance the effect of these drugs. The doctor should take this into account when prescribing both coumarins and chamomile itself.

Contraindications

Chamomile tincture is contraindicated:

1. Orally - for pregnant women due to the risk of miscarriage;
2. Both internally and externally - if you are allergic to chamomile or other plants of the Asteraceae family;
3. Inside - for diarrhea and tendency to it;
4. Also inside - for children under three years of age;
5. Ulcerative diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - with them, due to the presence of alcohol in the tincture, exacerbations in the patient’s condition may be observed.

A relative contraindication to taking the tincture is breastfeeding. There seems to be no clear danger from using the product, but there is a risk that chamomile components will pass into breast milk and cause allergies or diarrhea in the infant. Moreover, the tincture is not recommended for use during breastfeeding precisely because of the alcohol content.

There are no clear contraindications to taking chamomile tincture during lactation, but it is better to abstain from the drug during this time.

The need to operate various mechanisms, as well as drive a car, is also considered as a contraindication to taking the tincture, precisely because of the presence of alcohol in its composition. Also, judging by the properties of chamomile and reviews of the tincture itself, it is very relaxing and reduces concentration, that is, it should not be taken when such concentration is needed.

Recipes and rules for preparing tincture

The basic recipe for making the tincture is simple:

1. Two tablespoons of dried chamomile flowers are poured into a glass of vodka or 45% alcohol;
2. The container is closed and placed for 10-14 days in a cool, dark place;
3. After infusion, the product is filtered through cheesecloth and becomes ready for use.

The easiest way to prepare a tincture at home is to use vodka. If pure alcohol is used, it must be diluted in a ratio of approximately 1:1 with boiled water.

Vodka tincture turns out to be softer and in some cases it can be used without diluting.

To treat various skin inflammations, as well as for gargling, together with chamomile flowers, you can infuse calendula or sage flowers, as well as propolis, into alcohol. The resulting tincture will have almost similar anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

Also, if the tincture is planned to be used for some specific purposes, it can be prepared with the addition of other components:

1. To soothe and treat neurological diseases - with St. John's wort, mint or valerian;
2. For the treatment of diseases of the digestive tract - with yarrow;
3. For intimate hygiene and treatment of gynecological diseases - with lemon balm.

However, when adding any herbs to the raw materials for preparing the tincture, you should remember that each of them can cause side effects specific to it.

The finished tincture has a characteristic tea color.

If several plants are used to prepare the tincture, the total amount of raw materials should be the same as chamomile alone when preparing a single preparation. For a glass of diluted alcohol or vodka, take two tablespoons of a mixture of herbs.

How to take it correctly?

They drink chamomile tincture, as a rule, without diluting it, measuring the quantity in drops. To treat different diseases, different amounts of this drug are used; the specific dosage and frequency of administration should be prescribed by a doctor.

In cases where you can take just tea instead of tincture, it is better to drink tea.

In particular, for gastritis (non-ulcer) and enteritis, drink 20 drops of tincture 2-3 times a day before meals, and for stress and anxiety - 30 drops of tincture once a day before bed.

It is not recommended to add lemon to the tincture, since it certainly does not improve the taste of the drug.

For rinsing the throat and mouth, as well as for washing and enemas, the tincture is usually diluted with boiled water in a ratio of 1:10 and the resulting solution is used for procedures. You cannot gargle with pure tincture due to the risk of burning the mucous membranes.

For gargling, it is better to use chamomile infusion - it is both safer and easier to prepare.

If you plan to give chamomile tincture to a child to drink, it is advisable to add honey or sugar to it before use to reduce the unpleasant taste of alcohol and chamomile. The same approach allows you to reduce the likelihood of vomiting from taking the tincture.

Ready-made drugs in the pharmacy

The duration of preparation of chamomile tincture is associated with the problems of its use. If the disease develops suddenly and the medicine needs to be taken now, the patient cannot wait two weeks for the medicine to infuse.

If you infuse chamomile in alcohol for less than 10 days, the finished product will not be sufficiently saturated with useful substances.

Moreover, it is very likely that when the tincture is ready, the disease will already be over. This is relevant for ARVI, sore throat, stomatitis, and various skin lesions. Here it’s generally worth considering whether the tincture is needed so much, if without its use the disease will probably end safely...

In any case, especially for such situations, pharmacies sell ready-made chamomile tinctures in the form of commercial preparations.

Actually, the tincture is not prepared according to a prescription at the pharmacy for the same reason - it is a long process, and the remedy is needed now. You can buy the finished drug, released under one or another pharmaceutical brand. Its differences from the tincture prepared at home are minimal, the properties remain the same, and if it is taken correctly in accordance with the instructions for use, the result from use will be similar to that from taking a product prepared by yourself.

Previously, when most medicines were prepared in pharmacies, you could order the preparation of chamomile tincture here. It was called tincture florum Chamomillae (translated from Latin as a tincture of chamomile flowers) and was prepared according to a doctor’s prescription.

Today, a typical chamomile tincture is sold in the form of preparations with the following names:

1. Romazulan is a chamomile tincture with the addition of guaiazulene, intended for the treatment of skin lesions, the treatment of gastritis and duodenitis, rinsing the mouth and throat. Produced by Biopharm, the price of a bottle for 50 ml is 170 rubles, for 100 ml - 230 rubles;

The advantage of Romazulan over a homemade tincture, which justifies its cost, is the ability to use it immediately after purchase and not wait until the tincture is prepared.

When using Rotocan, you need to take into account not only the side effects of taking chamomile, but also those for other components of the product.

This tincture is more highly specialized and is intended specifically for treating the oral cavity.

You can also find on sale an alcoholic extract of chamomile, produced by various manufacturers and called: alcoholic extract of chamomile flowers. Essentially, this is the same tincture. This product usually costs less than drugs containing other components and produced under well-known brands.

As a result, in terms of its medicinal properties, chamomile tincture is almost identical to water-based products, but differs from them in the features of use and storage. It is usually used for various chronic diseases, when the patient knows that his disease may worsen, and keeps this remedy ready for timely administration.