The herbal medicine shelf isn't stocked without chamomile. This fragrant flowering herb is said to attract prosperity as well as good health. It's popular as a restful tea and an ingredient in specialty beer. In beauty cosmetics and soap it's used as a scent, and as a flavoring in gourmet tea and other consumables.
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Chamomile Tea & Beer
Chamomile is the popular name for a number of daisy-like plants in family Asteraceae. With petals of white and bright yellow gold center, this cheerful plant represents the Sun. The most common species include:
Matricaria chamomilla – German chamomile or Water of Youth
Chamaemelum nobile – Roman, English, or garden chamomile
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Chamomile is a popular ingredient in home-made and specialty beer and ale. Brewers use parts of the whole plant to add a sweet, mild or bitter element. It can be blended with honey or fermentable fruits. The fresh plant carries the scent of apple.
While the chamomile plant has been used since ancient times, Germanic and other European lore are passed down through oral tradition. An English drawing dates to the 11th century. The first written mention of the name chamomile comes from the 13th century.
To make tea, only the dried flowers are used. Drop a handful in boiling water and steep as desired for a fragrant cup. To dry fresh flowers, spread them on a rack in a dry, airy place. Avoid direct sunlight.
Folk medicine uses of chamomile include treatment of insomnia; nausea and upset stomach; sore throat and symptoms of head cold. Applied in a pack or bag it can help refresh tired eyes.
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Uses of chamomile also include adding flavor to mouthwash or fragrance to soap and cosmetics. Chamomile plants are a beautiful, showy addition to the garden and known to attract butterflies.
Researchers at Zhejiang University in China found fermented chamomile to have a cytotoxic (toxic and damaging) effect on cancer cells. In tea and beer chamomile is often blended with honey, which is high in antioxidants and used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease.
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Chamomile represents the Sun because of its cheerful rays and golden center. In Egypt it's associated with Sun God Ra and thus his female aspect Raet Tawy. The rising sun relates to Horus. One of Egypt's most important plants for medicine and fragrance, chamomile has been cultivated for centuries.
The Egyptian species is the same as the German species, Matricaria chamomilla. Medicinally it was used by early Egyptians to repel insects and treat forms of malaria.
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As a flower of the Sun it relates to happiness and joy. It's also considered to attract gold or prosperity, or a lover. Folklore surrounding this pretty plant includes washing one's hands in chamomile tea for good luck, especially before gambling. It can be carried dry as a charm against bad luck in general.
Both Greeks and Egyptians applied chamomile a healing skin tonic against harsh dry weather as well as diverse skin ailments. Romans bathed in it. Vikings were said to use it as a hair lightener.
Chamomile nourishes and 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 can treat wounds and speed healing.
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In Wicca, a green candle anointed with flowers of chamomile is said to bring money. Incense, tea or aromatherapy promote restful sleep. In the American south, a garland of chamomile flowers in the hair is one way to attract a lover.
Sprinkling chamomile on windowsills and door thresholds protects against invasive negative energy, as does planting chamomile around the house. As a prosperity herb it can also be used this way to attract money. In gardens, it's known to attract butterflies.
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