Discussion on Chamomile

[Lavender]

Hi! Welcome to our herb discussion on Chamomile.

I think the goal of these discussions will not be just in the medicanal values of the plants but in the magical and spiritual usage as well. Please feel free to post your personal dealings with the herb & share your stories. This way, we can learn how to use the whole herb, rather than just a part.

Before we get started, I want to say that please be careful using herbs. The discussions here are not intended to replace proper medical attention. You might want to consult with a certified herbalist or doctor if you have any concerns.

Chamomile is one of the most commonly used herbs today. Many people don't realize that Chamomile is actually two different plants - German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis). They both have very similar properties and are usually used interchangably.

Instead of typing up the whole materia medica on Chamomile, I'm going to post a couple of links:

http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/c/chammo49.html
http://www.holisticonline.com/Herbal-Med/_Herbs/h44.htm

[Faery-Wings]

First off, thanks Wildchild for getting us started on this!

My 2 cents on chamomile:
Be careful when purchasing the oil or the plant. Use the Latin names. For the oil, some manufacterers will sell Ormenis multicaulis as Chamomile or as Chamomile Maroc. And they will charge you an arm and a leg for it. Believe me, I know! It is not Chamomile at all and should not be used as such.

Roman cham. oil is wonderful for babies, especially for teething and colic.
A soothing recipe for infants:
1-2 drops of R.Chamomile in a bowl of hot water, placed out of baby's reach. I put it under my son's crib before he went to sleep.
For massage: 2 drops mixed into 5 tbsp of a carrier oil, such as sweet almond.
For bath (over three months):
1 drop R. chamomile mixed well with 1 tbsp whole milk. Mix well into baby's bath. Be careful to mix well and not get into baby's eyes.
(from Aromatherapy for Mother and Baby by Allison England

I used R. Chamomile when my son was an infant. It was $25 for 1/8 oz but let me tell you, it was worth every cent!

Some charcteristics of R. Chamomile essential oil (EO):
anti-inflammatory, immuno-stimulant, analgesic, sedative, soothes anger and emotions, good for acne, toothaches and headaches, insomnia

Magical uses: sleep, meditation and peace
From Magical Aromatherapy by Scott Cunningham

Warnings: do not use EO in the first three months of pregnancy

For the plants, also be careful with what you buy. I bought a plant last year label R. Chamomile and it turned out to be German. I realized this as it was growing way too tall. I got it at Home Depot's nursery and I won't be going there again this year.:rolleyes:

Chris

[Faery-Wings]

Oh and to add some other uses (am I hogging the discussion? Sorry!8O )I make tea for diarrhea and nausea. And I have brewed a weak tea, and used that to clean out gunky pink eye crust. Dip a clean cotton ball into cooled weak chm. tea and clean the crusts out, wiping from the inner corner to outer.

OK, I'm done (for now!)

Chris

[Yvonne Belisle]

Wildchild you forgot to stick this. :) Anyone who is interested in starting a weeks herb thread should pm Wildchild and I so we can schedual you in for the herb you want to do.

[Lavender]

Thanks, Yvonne! :D I kept meaning to but forgot...it's that Mercury in retrograde thing...

I"ve been wracking my brains trying to think of something about Chamomile that's not covered yet. The materia medica links are pretty comprehensive. As well, thanks to Chris, for the great oil info.

One thing I've always been curious about is how our herbal forefathers or foremothers figured out what plants did what medicinally. A lot of this information came about studying what's called the 'signature' of the plant. Signatures are a system of characteristics that identify a herb and it's functions.

In looking at the signature of Chamomile, you need to study the physical aspects of the plant. Look at the colour of the flower - what does that suggest to you? Look at the growing conditions - does it like rocky soil, dry, wet, rich, etc? Look at the texture of the plant - is it soft & fuzzy-looking, does it have spines, or does it have hairs? What about the plant itself - low bushes, vines, shrubs, or trees? Roots are important too - what kind of roots does the chamomile have - long thin, tuberous, or creeping? Another important signature is the aroma - how strong is the scent, is it the whole plant or just the flower, pleasant scent, and how does it make you feel?

Now, I'm not suggesting that we base all our knowledge of the plant just on these signatures but I thought this would be a good way to get to know the plant. I like using the signature method & comparing my findings to what is commonly known about the plant. As well, I find it helpful in determining the magical properties as well.

[Danustouch]

I've used chamomile medicinally, for diarhea, to help me sleep, to calm my nerves, to help with an upset stomach, and for menstrual cramps.

I've used chamomile magickally, to make charms to ease turbulance in the home. And to carry in an amulet on job interviews, to calm my nerves.

[Danustouch]

Oh..and I haven't really studied the roots of the Chamomile plant, however, by looking at it's flower, you get the sense of what it is for. Chamomile is pleasant to the eye. White, which to me always represents purification, and peace, and Yellow, which I've always found a welcoming, and happy color. And beyond that, it looks gentle. Tiny, unassuming. So..it would make sense that it is such a calming plant.

[Flaire-FireStar]

I'm not all that great with herbs but are chamomile and camomile the same thing? (or am I spelling one wrong?) :huh::confused:8O

[Lavender]

Yes, they're the same. Some spell it "ca" & some spell it "cha".

[maythen]

I've tried to grow chamomile in containers with limited success - a lot of greenery but few flowers. Has anyone had success with growing in containers?

[Lavender]

Do you remember which type of chamomile? Some strains are more suited for lawn covers because they don't have as many flowers.

[maythen]

It was Roman. I planted 2 plants in a huge container along with lavender, dill, parsley, catnip, stevia and mint, echinacea and mint(ended up transpanting the mint into its own pot). The chamomile ended up with about 5 blooms.

Planted another in a 10 inch clay pot - no blooms at all. I brought that one inside for the winter, but it died.

[Lavender]

Wow! That sounds like a lot of plants in the pots. How did the others do?

[maythen]

O.k., I guess. Catnip and parsley were very happy together & the parsley is still doing well. The mint got an attitude after it was transplanted - never quite bounced back. The a gang of ants attacked it. One stevia plant did fine, but the other was sucked dry by the ants early in the season. Echinacea remained seedling sized. Lavender looked like it was going to die all summer then started blooming in late September. I thought that was odd.

Chamomile seemed much happier after mint was removed. It started to spread. Maybe this year it should get a container all its own. Or, I should find a good book on companion planting instead of just experimenting every summer.

We drink a lot of chamomile tea. I especially do at work. I'm trying to wean myself off cigarettes and chamomile tea really helps to calm my nerves. I would love to be able to make my own. Maybe this year.:D

[Lavender]

It's not as much companion planting but maybe too many in one pot. Mint is better by itself in a pot...it like to take over the area. Chamomile usually does well in any kind of soil so it could be that there wasn't enough nutrients to produce flowers. Echinecea & lavender can get to a fair size & might be better in their own pots too. The thing with these plants is that they may look small to start but can get pretty big. You said you had dill too? Definitely need more space for your plant! :D

[Lavender]

Here's a weird thing about chamomile...the more you abuse them, the better they do! :D They like being stepped on & squished.

Maythen, I just thought of something else...If you only have a few flowers, try picking them. The more you pick them, the more they'll grow.

[maythen]

Thanks for your suggestions. This year there will be tea for everyone.:)

Now that I've monopolized this conversation, I think I should go back into my corner and shut my mouth.

[Sequoia]

I've only had generic chamomile tea before (and I've never really grown herbs. . . ^^;; but this year a dear friend of mine has offered to teach me about herbs and growing them, in return for helping her tend her herb garden. It's a win-win situation!), but I find that it's really helpful if I'm having PMS, or I'm emotionally out of whack. It seems to help calm and balence things, at least for a little while.

It tastes good with mint, but I've found that it doesn't have the same kind of effects. I like them both better by themselves, although the taste is too strong for some people (I've heard). But then I brew tea REALLY strong. . . ^^; like two bags in a coffee cup hehe

OOOH btw, speaking of teas. . . Does anyone know what kind of sage is in Desert Sage tea? I think it's the kind of sage you burn, not the cooking herb sage. There's something like three differnt kinds. . . I really want to grow the desert sage. . . <~~ sage buff

[Kiya]

I use chamomile as a herb sachet under running water into my bath at night, and add a couple of drops of lavender oil. It's great to help me relax, and seems to keep away nightmares, which I suffer from when I'm stressed.

Also, I'm blonde... it's a hair lightener... that's magical to me because when my hair has a few highlights in it I feel so much more confident!

I've never tried to grow it though, I buy dried from a local health shop. Imight try this year though!

[Faery-Wings]

Puma, how lucky for you- that is a win- win situation.

Kiya, I never thought to use cham. as a rinse. I mean, I know that you can, but just never did.. (i'm not making sense again :)) Anyway, I have *ahem* fake blond highlights, do you think the chamomile whill brighten them up when they get dingy and blah? How do you make the rinse?

Thanks!

Chris

[Lavender]

For the hair rinse, you can use 2 tbsp of chamomile & 2 cups of boiling water. Let steep until the infusion has cooled to room temp & strain. Wash your hair like you normally do. I like to pour it through my hair & catch the drippings in a large bowl & pour it through several times. I have black hair & I like chamomile rinse too. It doesn't lighten my hair like it does my hubby's but makes it really nice & shiney.

Chamomile is pretty easy to grow & to maintain. You can either start them from seeds or as seedlings from the garden centre. Roman Chamomile is the perenial & will come back year after year. German Chamomile is an annual & will have to be started new each year. They're usually pretty forgiving about the type of soil they grow in. If you use a container, make sure it's large enough. Richters has a great selection of chamomile seeds. A few of them are special varieties for higher yeild of medicinal values.

As well as being famous for it's calming effects, chamomile is also a powerful antiseptic and has antiviral properties too. A wash made with chamomile used on cuts & wounds would not just clean it but would help relieve the pain and promote faster healing.

Chamomile wash is sooo good for your complexion. It soothes & heals dry chapped skin. Great for eczema & other skin conditions. You can make an chamomile ointment that's gentle enough to use on babies for diaper rash. Chamomile steam is wonderful for acne proned skin, thanks to the anispetic & antiviral properties. I find chamomile to be very gentle on my face.

The one thing to watch out for with chamomile is that if you have ragweed allergies, you could be allergic to chamomile. I haven't seen that happen yet but just a note of caution.

[Yvonne Belisle]

Hey Wildchild I have 3 kids who suffer exceme one very badly he is allergic to every darn soap on the market too can you post that ointment recipe for him? :)

[Lavender]

:lol: I thought I had posted it at the end of my post! Here it is:

Chamomile salve:

You will need a small stainless steel or glass pot. Measure out 2 cups of grapeseed oil & pour into the pot. Fill with enough dried chamomile to just top the oil line. Heat it very very gently on the lowest heat setting. Don't let it get too hot or bubble. You don't want to burn the oil or the herbs. Let it simmer like this for 2 hours. Let it cool to room temp & strain out the chamomile...squeeze out as much of the oil as you can.

You will use this oil to make the salve in this proportion. For every 1 part grated beeswax, use 6 parts of the oil. So that would be 1 tbsp of grated beeswax to 6 tbsp of the oil infusion. Melt it gently over a hot water bath. Stir gently. When all the wax has melted, pour into clean jars, preferably amber coloured ones. Let it cool & use as needed.

Beeswax is breathable so it forms a nice barrier to your skin as well as letting your skin breath. Grapeseed oil is very hypoallergenic & great for sensitive skin. Combine all that with the chamomile, you'll have a very excellent healing salve.

Grapeseed oil does tend to go rancid much more quickly than other oils so you might have to use up the salve within 3-4 months. Less in the summer time.

[Lavender]

Originally posted by Yvonne Thomas
Hey Wildchild I have 3 kids who suffer exceme one very badly he is allergic to every darn soap on the market too can you post that ointment recipe for him? :)

Pst! Yvonne, have you tried pure castile soap on him?

[Yvonne Belisle]

yup the eldest who is the most sensitive ends up looking like a lizard with cracked bleeding skin. :(

[Witchy Cowgirl]

:D Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
I'm really wanting to learn more about herbs and such. I've looked in a few books but find them intimadating. Why?, because of the all the names. One book said something like it was very important to learn the proper (scientific names) of plants so that you don't get them mixed up cause some plants have the same common names. I'm sure that's true, but for the raw beginner those big, long, probably never gonna be able to pronounce names throw me for loops!
I just read the thread on chamomile! Do you have any links you can post with pictures?

[Lavender]

Here's a link to a picture of chamomile. The actual picture link is at the bottom of the page. Good info on chamomile as well.

The leaves are very light & delicate looking, wispy. The flowers resembles tiny little daisies. Depending on the variety, they may be low growing or upright. Both Roman and German chamomile has a nice green apple scent but I find the German one a bit stronger.

http://www.msue.msu.edu/msue/imp/mod03/03900075.html

[Mnemosyne]

Oh, Witchy Cowgirl, good luck with learning the scientific names for plants. I tried to learn the scientific names; however, I had no success. I guess my mind only likes to remember certain facts.

You guys gave such good tips for using chamomile. I really love it! I have never grown it. Is it easy to grow? I read your post, Wildchild, about the more you abuse it, the better it does. Based on that, I assume that it is easy to grow.

[Lavender]

I used to carefully grow the seeds indoors under perfect conditions. Now, I just scatter them on the ground about now & see what comes up! ;) They are pretty easy to grow & very low maintenance. The more you harvest the flower heads, the more flowers you get. Some people even grow the lower varieties instead of grass on their lawns.

[Nissala]

I have just purchased some German Chammomile seeds. :) I am going to try my hand at herbal gardening.... wish me luck!!!! :eek:

[Lavender]

:thumbsup: Luck!

[Lavender]

Hi Brigit!

I bumped up the chamomile thread for you. :)

[Sequoia]

WARG I think that the chamomile I was sold might be German instead of Roman. . . it's at about a foot tall now (it shot up several inches right after I bought it, it REALLY likes my bathroom LOL) and I think it may keep growing >.< no chance it's just a nice healthy roman, right? LOL the guy said it was. . . oh well. He sold me lemon balm with lamb's ear growing in it too, and didn't know. . . lol ^^;;; I dono maybe it's because I've got a stick helping to hold it up. . . maybe it'd be shorter if I wasn't supporting it straight.

[Lavender]

Did you specifically wanted Roman chamomile? They both have very similar uses.

[Sequoia]

I heard somewhere that German Chamomile was almost useless, that it's potency wasn't nearly that of Roman. . . I could be wrong! ^^; I hope so. . .

[Lavender]

The German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and the Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) are both called chamomile but are actually different plants. They are both very similar in their chemical compounds except that the German chamomile is a bit higher in azurlene which gives it the nice blue colour and also the properties we so desire in a chamomile.

It does sounds like you have the German variety there. The Roman one is usually low growing. The flowers can be picked & dried for tea. And the more you pick them, the more you get. Towards the end of the season, let some of the flowers go to seed so you can plant them next year. German chamomile is usually an annual but I've never tried growing chamomile indoors all year around so I don't know if your plant would die back. It may very well live through the year. Sounds like a good healthy plant. Enjoy your tea! :)