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Page 48
The Herbal
This section contains brief descriptions of the uses and dosage for the herbs described in the book. The major herbs for stress, chamomile and valerian, are discussed first. The rest follow in alphabetical order.
Chamomile
Matricaria recutita
Part used: Flowering tops.
Actions: Nervine, anti-spasmodic, carminative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, bitter, vulnerary.
Indications: A comprehensive list of chamomile's medical uses would be very long indeed. Included would be insomnia, anxiety, menopausal depression, loss of appetite, dyspepsia, diarrhea, colic, aches and pains of flu, migraine, neuralgia, teething, vertigo, motion sickness, conjunctivitis, inflamed skin, urticaria and on and on. This may seem too good to be true, but it reflects this herb's wide range of actions in the body.
Chamomile is probably the most widely used relaxing nervine herb in the Western world. It relaxes and tones the nervous system, and is especially valuable where anxiety and tension produce digestive symptoms such as gas, colic pains or even ulcers. The ability to focus on physical symptoms as well as underlying psychological tension is one of the great benefits of herbal remedies in stress and anxiety problems. Safe in all types of stress and anxiety-related problems, it makes a wonderful late-night tea to ensure restful sleep. It is also helpful with anxious children or teething infants, where it can be used as an addition to the bath.

 
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