CHAMOMILE (Chamaemilum nobile)
 

Merry Meet my friends.  I hope this December newsletter finds you all in grand health.  I am so delighted to see so many of you interested in my love of herbs and plant life.  As you know, I am the Gnome Enchantress of plants,  herbs and flowers.  I hope to bring, what you will consider, valuable information from the Gnomes "Secret Book of Life". 

Today we are going to talk about Chamomile, one of the oldest and most favored garden herbs which also has been regarded as one of the best medicinal herbs.  We believe that its presence in the garden keeps other plants healthy.  Chamomile was used even in medieval times as a strewing herb
and is used today in hair rinses, perfumes and makes a wonderful tea.

Chamomile, translated from Greek, means ground apple which refers to his comforting and aromatic apple-like scent given off by its leaves when crushed. 

Chamomile is native to the Mediterranean and Western Europe areas.  It reaches heights of up to 2 to 4 inches but often mounds to 12 inches with age.  The leaves are aromatic finely segmented.  They are borne on creeping stems that root as they spread.  In summer it produces small yellow button
flowers.

German chamomileRoman chamomile is versatile when used in landscaping.  It can be used as a ground cover on a large lawn or small area.  It can be mowed and used as a lawn substitute.  Planting between stepping stones, it provides a sweet fragrance with every step taken.  I love planting chamomile among rocks, allowing the beauty of natures rocks to be displayed with the beauty and delectable fragrance of chamomile. 
German chamomile is a heavily blooming annual and grows to a height of 15 inches or more.  The flowers are more abundant and makes a sweeter more pleasant flavored tea.  German chamomile is not quite as versatile in the
garden as the Roman chamomile. 

Growing chamomile by seeds is reasonably easy, however, you can purchase small plants in the spring from your favorite nurseries.  Space the plants 8 to 12 inches apart and provide full sun or very light shade in a well drained but moist light soil.

The flowers should be harvested once they are opened and can be used fresh or
dried for later use.

Medicinal 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.)

Recipes

Use chamomile for digestion minor digestion problems.  Prepare flowers in tea
form. 1-2 tablespoons per cup of hot water. Drink 1/2 cup at a time.

For a stomach ache: Prepare a weak tea brew and use in frugality to calm a
teething or colicky baby.

You can use chamomile in your bath or for your hair by making a large infusion, steep for 15 minutes and strain. Bathing with chamomile removes weariness and eases pain to whatever part of your body is weary. The same infusion can be used to lighten and add golden highlights to mousy brown hair.

For releasing eye strain, make a chamomile tea compress and apply, repeating
as often as necessary.


Chamomile Spa Treatment

For a special treat, create yourself a spa treatment with chamomile.  Set a pot of water to boil, once boiling, remove from heat and place into the water 1 teaspoon of chamomile tea (or 1 bag of chamomile tea) and let it steep for 5 minutes. (You will drink this once you have completed your facial and your relaxing bath.)
Next, remove all your makeup and fill a basin with boiling water. Put 2 drops of chamomile essential oil into the basin.  Place your head as close to the hot water as you can, pull a towel over your head creating a tent-like drape and let the steam give your face a sauna.  Stay over the basin for about 10
minutes, enjoying the soothing aroma and peaceful bliss.  After you have finished your facial steam, fill your bathtub with warm water and add 5 drops of chamomile essential oil to the water.  If you have dry skin, then add a tablespoon of carrier oil to the bath as well.  Soak in your tub for a minimum of 20 minutes.  Once you are done, put on some pleasant sleeping garments, go into the kitchen and pour yourself a cup of warm chamomile tea.


Chamomile Refresco - As a Delightful Summer Drink

This refreshing drink, made with chamomile tea, is a cooling thirst quencher on a hot summer's day. If Mexican mint marigold is not available, substitute 2 sprigs of mint and a small stalk of lemongrass cut in 2-inch pieces.

3 chamomile tea bags, or an equal amount of dried chamomile leaves
2 sprigs fresh Mexican mint marigold
2 cups boiling water
1/2 cup orange juice
1 cup pineapple juice
1/4 cup lime juice
1 cup white grape juice
2-1/2 cups chilled sparkling water
1 lime, sliced

1.  In a bowl, pour boiling water over tea and mint marigold (or mint and lemongrass). Cover and steep for at least 10 minutes.
2.  Strain liquid into a glass pitcher. Stir in orange, pineapple, lime, and grape juices. Chill.
3.  To serve, fill chilled glasses 2/3 full with juice mixture, fill with sparkling water, and add lime slices.
 

Chamomile Cleansing Milk

Must be kept refrigerated.
Good only for 2-4 days.

Place 1 cup of warm milk in a bowl. The milk must be kept warm throughout, however it must never boil and a skin must not form on the milk. The easiest way to accomplish this is by placing the bowl over a saucepan of hot water.

Add 3 tablespoons fresh chamomile flowers. Stir gently from time to time so as not to break up the flowers. Infuse until the milk smells strongly of chamomile. Strain into glass jars.

Excellent for oily skin


This recipe was brought to you by Our Daily Bread at:
http://web.archive.org/web/20031229103700/http://www.our-daily-bread.com/recipes/recipe/0426.htm

I hope you have enjoyed this lesson on Chamomile.  As you can see, it is a versatile, aromatic and favorable herb so experiment with it.  If you have any questions, feel free to email them to my Master Scribe and she will direct your letter promptly to me. 

One last note, I wish for you many blessings through this coming season especially of peace and harmony.  I have enjoyed spending part of 2002 with you and look forward to beginning 2003 with all my special friends that I have made.  You are all dear to my heart, so until next stay safe.

Bright blessings always,
Enchantress
Click here for more on German Chamomile

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