Chamomile is essential to any herbal medicine shelf. It's one of several species of bright daisy-like plants with white petals and cheerful yellow center. The flowers are routinely used to make tea, either as a comfort or medicinal drink, often with honey.
READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure
See also:
Chamomile (Brit. camomile) has a mild, delicate taste and aroma. It's known since the early days of medicine and continues as a popular folk remedy for insomnia, anxiety or digestive disturbances today. The flowers are used to make tea.
READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure
The plant belongs to the Asteraceae or daisy family, occurring most often as
Matricaria chamomilla - German Chamomile or Water of Youth
Chamaemelum nobile - Roman, English, or garden chamomile
See also:
It's said to attract prosperity as well as good health. Chamomile is popular as a restful tea and an ingredient in specialty beer and mead. It's used as a flavoring in foods and a gentle scent in cosmetics or soap.
Washing one's hands in chamomile tea is considered good luck in parts of Europe, especially before gambling. Chamomile can also be carried as a dry herb to ward off evil magic.
See also:
To make tea, only the dried flowers are used. Flowers have the terpenoids and flavonoids which contribute medicinal properties to the plant.
Dehydrate fresh flowers by spreading them on a rack in place with good air circulation. Avoid placing plants in direct sunlight. It can take flowers up to 10 days to dry properly.
See also:
Pour just-boiled water over dried flowers in strainer or pot, steep as desired and enjoy. It makes a mild transparent yellow-green tea. Chamomile and chamomile essential oil are used in aromatherapy for mental and spiritual calm and balance.
In folk medicine chamomile is used to treat
insomnia
bad dreams
nausea and upset stomach
sore throat
cold or flu symptoms
anxiety
tired eyes - apply in pack or bag
moodiness
See also:
Researchers at Zhejiang University in China find fermented chamomile to have a cytotoxic (toxic and damaging) effect on cancer cells. Tea or beer blended with honey is high in antioxidants, for management of high blood pressure or cardiac tension.
READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure
Chamomile gently cleanses hair. Science finds the chamomile herb brimming with healthy antioxidants to help treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and sunburn. Natural polyphenols and phytochemicals in chamomile help treat wounds and speed healing.
See also:
Matricaria chamomilla is used by early Egyptians to repel insects and treat malaria. Both Greeks and Egyptians apply chamomile as skin tonic against harsh dry weather and skin ailments.
Romans bathe in chamomile. Used for bathing it leaves a soft scent and no residue on the skin as oil does. As a flower of the Sun with cheerful rays and golden center, chamomile relates to happiness and joy. It's considered to attract gold or prosperity, or a lover.
See also:
In Egypt the flower is associated with Sun God Ra and especially his female aspect Raet Tawy. One of Egypt's most important plants for medicine and fragrance, chamomile has been cultivated on the Nile for centuries.
In Wicca, lighting a green candle anointed with flowers of chamomile is said to attract money. Sprinkling chamomile on windowsills and door thresholds repels invasive negative energy, as does planting chamomile around the house.
See also:
Chamomile plants and flowers and other daisy family flora are a joyful, showy addition to the garden. They're also known to attract butterflies.
See also:
Comments