Chamomile-My Kitchen Herb of the Week!

Chamomile - Water/Sun; Gender - Masculine; Parts Used - Flowers; Magickal Properties - Prepares body and mind for magick, Healing and Prosperity wishes; Uses - Drink as a tea, place small amount in the bath to prepare for magick, use as an amulet for prosperity, burn for restful sleep, visualize your desire.

Chamomile (C. nobile)

This perennial is also known as Roman chamomile. It can be used as a
groundcover since it grows only 4 to 12 inches in height. The foliage is
feathery with an apple scent, and it is accented by white, daisy-like
flowers with down-turned petals.

M. recutita

The annual form of chamomile is also called German chamomile. It grows
to 20 inches and has feathery foliage with daisy-like flowers like it's
cousin. The flowers are scented, but the foliage is not.

Cultivation

Roman chamomile is usually propagated by root division, while German
chamomile seeds are sown directly in early spring. The soil should be
sandy and slightly acid. Full sun is preferred except in hot, dry
climates where midday shade is necessary. Chamomile can also be used
around the edges of containers with other herbs. After flowering, cut
back to the main growth.

Harvesting and Drying

Cut the flowers from the stems with scissors and spread them out on
muslin covered racks to dry.

Camomile is the original tranquilizing herb. Drink the tea or smell the oil 

to relax instantly (some people have a VERY strong reaction to the smell of 

the essential oil). Camomile tea will also put you to sleep, so be careful. 

Use in potpourris and sachets for sleep and peace. (This is a perennial, but 

you only use the flowers, so it it's easier to buy than grow. But the flowers 

are very pretty.)

Culinary Uses

Roman chamomile foliage can be chopped and stirred into butter or sour
cream that is used to top baked potatoes.

Medicinal Uses

German Chamomile is most often used for medicinal purposes, and is
usually administered as a tea. It can also be administered as a compress
for external healing and as a bath for babies. Here are a few uses:

Soothes and relaxes at bedtime.

Relieves restlessness, teething problems, and colic in children.

Relieves allergies, much as an antihistamine would.

Aids digestion when taken as a tea after meals.

Relieves morning sickness during pregnancy.

Speeds healing of skin ulcers, wounds, or burns.

Treats gastritis and ulcerative colitis.

Other Uses

Makes a relaxing bath or footbath.

Lightens fair hair and conditions complexion. Make a rinse by simmering
2 teaspoons dried flowers in 8 ounces of water for 15 minutes.

Potpourri (dry flowers face down.)

Chamomile
Anthemis Noblis ~Sun~Magickal Herbe...Religious Herbe

LORE:
Chamomile is a venerable herbe with a well-established reputation as
a healer. It was believed that it brought health to one's gardens and
promoted healing energies which were good for all plant species.
Whereas centaury is a patron herbe for herbalists, chamomile is a
patron herbe for the gardens.

Usage:
The strong association chamomile has with the Sun is an underlying
indication of its modern usage. Through incense or ritual drink it is
used to assist a priest's call upon a Sun God (working with any of
the solar deities). Some traditions have also used chamomile at
Midsummer to give honor to the Father of Nature.

Useful in solar holidays, chamomile has been incorporated into Yule
traditions. The options are endless, ranging from using it as a
bathing herbe for the male chosen to represent the newly born Sun to
powdering it and spooning onto burning coals to cense the temple area
and prepare it for a celebration of solar magick.

Chamomile, though not commonly recognized for it's magick, carries
the magick of success and may be included in most recipes.


Chamomile Sleep Pillow

The fruity, applelike aroma of this chamomile dream pillow will help
you relax, making for easier
sleep - even in a strange place.
2 6-inch squares of tightly woven fabric, or 2 washcloths
2 cups dried chamomile flowers

With right sides together, sew up 3 sides of the fabric squares. Turn
right side out, and fill the pouch loosely with chamomile flowers.
Sew closed the open end. Insert dream pillow between your pillow and
pillow case before you sleep.from Herbal Remedy Gardens.

Chamomile Tea

“To ease the body’s pain, the Lord sent chamomile.”

This line from a nineteenth-century poem validates how important chamomile has been in alleviating pain and discomfort throughout time.  In fact, the medicinal use of chamomile dates back even further, to the days of the Romans, who relied on its antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties.  Today, chamomile tea is one of the most effective medicinal teas known.  The gentle action of this herb makes it suitable for children and adults, and the tea can be safely used on a regular basis.  To be prepared when stomachaches, insomnia, sore throats or cramps strike, keep a supply of chamomile flowers on hand.  Be sure to buy Matricaria recutita, or German chamomile; this variety contains the highest concentration of the essential oils responsible for giving chamomile its healing power.

Preparation of the Tea:

In a teapot, place 1 tsp. of chamomile flowers per cup of water.  Boil the water, then let it cool slightly (using boiling water will cause the various therapeutic compounds in chamomile to evaporate). For best results, steep the tea less than 5 min.

Therapeutic Effect:

The healing effect of chamomile is due primarily to the chamazulene and alpha-bisabolol in its essential oil.  Chamomile has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and antibacterial effects.  It also helps calm the nerves and induces sleep.  In addition to being drunk, chamomile tea can be used in healing compresses of added to bathwater.

For treatment of gastric problems:

The essential oils in chamomile combined with other ingredients, such as sulfur and calcium, help relieve gastrointestinal inflammation.  To ease pain and stimulate the digestion, drink 3-4 cups of freshly prepared tea daily for a period of several weeks.

For relief of intestinal cramps:

The flavonoids in chamomile tea can prevent gas and relieve cramps.  However, for menstrual cramps, a chamomile tincture is better because its flavonoid concentration is a third higher than that of the tea.

Take Care:

Chamomile has been known to cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to ragweed or other members of the daisy family.  If you have such an allergy, you should avoid using it.

Medicinal Uses:

For eye problems:

Chamomile tea compresses help relieve eye pain, eye strain and eyelid inflammation.  Soak 2 cotton pads in lukewarm tea and place them on the eyes for a few minutes.  Warning: Strain the tea thoroughly first, to remove any pieces of chamomile flower that may irritate delicate eye tissue.

For inflammation, restlessness and insomnia:

A chamomile tea bath provides quick relief from skin inflammations, restlessness and insomnia.  Add 1 qt. of chamomile tea to a bathtub full of warm water.  For insomnia, take the bath before bedtime.

For menstrual cramps:
A chamomile tincture can alleviate menstrual cramps.  To make the tincture, add 2/3 oz. of chamomile flowers to 1 ½ oz. of 100-proof alcohol and let it steep for 1 week.  Strain and store in a dark vial.  Take 10 drops in a glass of water.

For flu and cough:
The germicidal effect of a chamomile vapor helps destroy the germs that cause flu and alleviates coughing.  Pour 2 qt. of hot water over 2 cups of chamomile flowers.  Cover your head with a towel and inhale the vapors.  Warning:  Do not use this method if you suffer from cardiovascular disease.

Tea Mixtures:

For gastric complaints:

1 oz. chamomile

2/3 oz. peppermint

1 oz. caraway seeds

2.3 oz. angelica



Use 1 tsp. of the mixture per cup of hot water.  Steep the mixture 10 min. and strain.  This tea soothes the gastrointestinal tract and stimulates digestive activity, making it useful for stomachaches or a too-full feeling.

For cystitis:

1 oz. chamomile

1 oz. yarrow

1 oz. sage

Use 1 tsp. of the mixture per cup of hot water.  Steep the mixture 5 min. and strain.  The anti-inflammatory components of this tea relieve bladder pain and urinary discomfort.  Drink as much tea as you wish daily until the inflammation has healed.

For skin problems:

1 oz. chamomile

1 oz. dandelion

2/3 oz. fennel



Use 1 tsp. of the mixture per cup of hot water.  Steep 5-10 min. and strain.  The medicinal tea blend stimulates metabolic activity, which helps promote the healing of inflammatory skin conditions, such as abscesses, boils, and acne.
***
4 Health Benefits of Chamomile

Chamomile is one of the oldest and most popular medicinal herbs, but it has also become one of the best studied by modern medicine. According to one medical paper, more than one million cups of chamomile tea are consumed per day around the world. For good reason, as this little white flower can have some big benefits for your health.
There are two types of chamomile typically used for medicinal purposes, German Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) and Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). There’s a very low risk of side effects to using chamomile as a tea or extract, however some people can be allergic to its pollen. People who suffer from ragweed allergies should be cautious.

1. Fall asleep faster

Chamomile tea and and essential oil aromatherapy are widely used to help induce sleep. Yet the effectiveness of chamomile as a sleep aide hasn’t been subjected to much clinical study. However on a chemical level, chamomile extracts have been shown to have sedative properties. So, go ahead and take your grandmother’s advice and have a cup of this herbal tea before bed.

2. Sooth common cold symptoms

We can’t say that chamomile is a cure for the common cold, but it can reduce suffering from its symptoms. Preliminary studies show that inhaling steam containing chamomile extract soothes the discomfort caused by an upper respiratory infection. Chamomile contains anti-inflammatory compounds, which may explain these benefits.

3. Reduce stress

Chamomile contains apigenin, a compound that has anti-anxiety effects. One study found that patients suffering from generalized anxiety disorder showed moderate benefits from taking camomile extract capsules when compared to a placebo.

4. Boost the immune system

A small study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that drinking chamomile tea boosts antibacterial compounds in the body. The researchers think this could explain why regular consumption of chamomile seems to fight colds, although more study would be needed to establish a definitive link.