CHAMOMILE
(matricaria chamomilla - German) (anthemis nobilis - Roman)
In the tale of Peter Rabbit, the young bunny eats himself sick in Mr McGregors garden. After being chased home, his mother gives him chamomile tea. Peters mother was a wise herbalist. Chamomile helps indigestion and soothes jangled nerves, while also helping superficial wounds when using a compress. Few people who sip the tasty apple flavoured tea, realize what a healer they hold in their hands. There are two kinds of chamomile, German chamomile (growing in my garden), and Roman Chamomile. The two are botanically unrealted, but both produce the same light blue oil that's been healing people since the dawn of time. The Greek physician Dioscorides and the Roman naturlist Pliny both recommend chamamile to treat headaches, kidney, liver and bladder problems. Germans have used chamomile since since ancient times to ease digestive upsets, promote menstruation and to relieve menstrual cramp. The 17th centuary herbalist Nicholas Culpeper, recommended chamomile for fevers, digestive problems, aches, pains, jaundice, kidney stones, and to bring down women's courses. (promote menstruation) Chamomile flowers are calming and soothing and especially beneficial to the nerves and digestion. In medical terms, they are anodyn, antiseptic, anti-flammatory, anti-spasmodic and anti- allergic. They make an excellent regular drinking tea for people with nervous dispositions, or for anyone under stress. Chamomile is the most suitable herb for infents and is used for colic, vomiting, loss of appetite, teething problems and itchy skin rashes. A teaspoon ot two of ordinary strength chamomile tea, three times a day as all that is needed, either given directly or added to baby's bottle. Chamomile is the best single herb for headaches when used as a tea and a compress. It is useful for indigestion and stomach pains of any kind, dispelling tension for the whole digestive tract. Use the hot tea as an inhalant to relieve hayfever and other allergic conditions of the eyes, nose and lungs.
	Chamomile is the best single herb for headaches when used as a tea and a compress. It is useful for indigestion and stomach pains of any kind, dispelling tension for the whole digestive tract. Use the hot tea as an inhalant to relieve hayfever and other allergic conditions of the eyes, nose and lungs. Use a strong tea as a compress or lotion for insect bites, stings, sore eyes and itchy skin. It will also keep hair fair if regulary used as a rinse after washing.
Infused oil of Chamomile is very relaxing. Use as an all-over body massage or in the bath. For eczema or dry irratable skin, oil the body with it after bathing. For insomnia, try a long soak in a chamomile bath followed by a cup of chamomile tea about 1/2 hour before going to bed. Add a handful of chamomile flowers to 600mls of cider vinegar, seep for 2 weeks, strain, bottle and label. Blend a teaspoon of this vinegar in a cup of water as a regular wash for the genitals, to restore PH and discourage fungal infections such as thrush. Use 2 teaspoons to a cup of water and use as a douch, or wash, for vaginal or penile thrush or other itchy conditions.
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