| 
<<Previous Page Next Page>>
Free Content
|
Chamomile
Chamomile
Chamomile (Chamaemilum nobile) (Matricaria recutita)
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.
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 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
Chamomile
Chamaemelum nobile
Compositae family Language and mythology The name chamomile is derived from a Greek word meaning 'ground apple.' The plant has an applelike fragrance and flavor. It has long been believed to have gentle healing qualities. The early Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans reportedly used it. In England it was used as a strewing herb for its fresh fragrance, and in Spain it was used to flavor sherry. Description This low-growing plant has flowers that are similar to daisies, but smaller. The solid, solitary central disk is deep yellow, and the rays are silver white to cream. The flowers appear at the end of downy stems, often in pairs. The leaves are alternate and divided into threadlike segments covered with feathery fuzz. The fruit is an achene. Plant type and hardiness Perennial; hardiness zones 3 to 4. Height and width Height 9 inches; width varies, spreads quickly. Light and soil Full sun to partial shade; light, dry soil with a pH of 7. Pests and disease None noted. Cultivation The tiny seeds should be planted in small containers. Transplant seedlings 6 inches apart when big enough to handle. Keep them moist until they are established. For a lawn of English chamomile, plant the herb and keep it well watered until it is established. As the plantlets begin to creep, top-dress lightly with fertilizer to encourage spreading and matting. Companion planting Grow chamomile near onions, cabbages, and wheat. It is said to repel flying insects and increase crop yield. It is grown with peppermint plants to intensify the oil of the peppermint. Propagation method Division, seeds, or cuttings. Bloom time and color June to August; white rays and yellow disk. Harvesting Flowers should be harvested on a clear morning, before the sun has drawn valuable essences from the blossoms. Pick the opened heads carefully (using scissors) and spread on paper in a cool, dry, airy place. Once the flower heads are papery, store them in a dry screw-top jar. Herbal uses Aromatic, cosmetic, culinary, decorative, and medicinal.
Dried leaves and flowers are used to scent potpourris. Chamomile also is used for soothing baths and skin lotions. It adds golden highlights to blonde hair. Fresh flower heads can decorate and flavor fresh salads. Dried leaves are used in tea and mixed with half mineral water for a refreshing beverage. The plant also can be used to make dye (buff, yellow, or gold). Lawns can be created using the low-growing English variety (Chamaemelum nobile), which reaches about 12 inches in height and creeps until it flowers. The taller German variety (Matricaria chamomile) reaches 1 to 2 feet in height and can be used for accent in beds or gardens. The plant is said to have some medicinal qualities. Garden notes The fragrant daisylike flowers add beauty to this low ground cover. Once our plants bloomed, they continued to do so for the rest of the growing season, providing much interest. They were especially nice at the edge of the garden.
Aromatherapy Chamomile Roman (Anthemis nobilis, Compositae family)
> Essential Oils
Chamomile is an essential oil with a long tradition. The relaxing aroma, sometimes described as like 'apples and straw' is a natural disinfectant with relaxing, sedative properties.
History / traditions:
Chamomile has a long tradition in herbal medicine. The flowers were used in many cures including a herbal tea to cure insomnia. During the second world war chamomile was also used as a disinfectant.
Extraction of the oil
Extracted by distillation from the freshly dried flowers. The plant is extensively grown in central and Eastern Europe. The oil consists of between 75 and 80% esters including isobutyl angelate and chamazulene.
Properties
Chamomile is a calming oil which eases anger and strong emotions. The oil is very effective against insomnia and can sooth restlessness and impatience. The oil is useful in the treatment of aches and pains in muscles and joints. Treatment of symptoms of PMS with Chamomile is also beneficial especially when the symptoms are related to stress.
Chamomile is a particularly safe oil and can be used (once diluted) with young children and sensitive individuals.
Usage
To relax after a hard day add ten drops to a warm bath, or diluted with a carrier oil chamomile makes an ideal oil for a soothing scalp massage.
Chamomile
Other names: Matricaria chamomila, Anthemis nobilis manzanilla, ground apple, whig plant, camomile, German camomile
Parts Used: The head-shaped flowers.
Culinary uses: Used mostly as a tea, and as such has calming properties. It has also been used for it's sweet, almost honey-like aroma, reminescent of pineapple or apple, but warmer. Chamomile is rich in calcium and tastes wonderful!
Other uses: Use in a hair rinse, especially for blond or light color hair.
Chamomile tea also tends to reduce inflammation and to facilitate bowel movement without acting as a purgative.
It's anticolic and carminative properties are used in cases of cramps, flatulence, indigestion and other gastrointestinal disorders, as well as to relieve stress, insomnia, and menstrual cramps.
It makes the skin softer and reduces wrinkles. It has anti-inflammatory properties for use on sprains, strains, and sore muscles.
The Essential Oil has been a highly respected oil for over 3,000 years and has been used for helping skin condiditons, such as dematitis, boils, acne, rashes, and exzemea.
In combination with fennel and eyebright, chamomile has often been used as a lotion for sore, weak, or inflamed eyes. For this purpose, 1/8 teaspoonful of each herb is steeped in a cup of hot water, which, when cold, is strained carefully through absorbent cotton.
When used as a tea,(an infusion), Chamomile acts as a powerful antiseptic, for cleaning wounds. Some of its ingredients relieve pain, toothaches, teething pains, migraine headaches and act to aid in the healing of wounds, burns, sores, rashes, scaly skin, sunburn and windburn, and ulcers.
Chamomile is used as a calming slightly sedative herb,to encourage sleep, or to calm restless or hyperactive children, (who did not get enough gamma-linoleic acid-containing foods and are on the verge of becomming plagued with Attention Defeciet Disorder-like unsocial behavior patterns.)
It is widely used as a tea for digestive upsets,(with some peppermint), diarrhea,(with some canaigre), heartburn,(with some lemon balm or peppermint), and for irritable bowel syndrome, with Canadian fleabane (Erigeron canadensis) and Fennel seed.
The flowers are specifically good when there are female problems which arise from stress and tension and menopausal problems.
Note: for a more bitter tea.. (which will have more of an effect on the gastro-intestinal tract), let the herb steep 15-20 minutes. For a more pronounced relaxing effect on the nervous system, steep only 5 minutes.
Note: when using either fresh or dried herb material, it is a good idea in general to wet the material slightly (after weighing), with just a little alcohol (ethanol, edible type), to allow sterilization of fresh plants, as well as the beginning "digestion" process, in which the plant structure is being broken down in preparation for the thourough extraction of the medicinal constituents .
A relaxing, anti-inflammatory oil can be made from the flowers, which are steeped and heated in oil gently for several days, and then filtered and pressed out.
Massage therapists will find the application of these types herbal oils a very great adjunct to deepen the effects of a theraputic massage.
CAUTION: People who suffer from allergies should take caution to ensure they do not suffer a reaction. Caution should always be used when using the essential oil, and in pregnancy, it should be completely avoided, as it may be too stimulating.
_______________________________
free web content
Index:
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
O
P
R
S
T
V
W
Y
Y
|
|
