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Common Name: Chamomile

Botanical Name: Matricaria chamomile

Chamomile – Matricaria Chamomilla 

The Spanish call Chamomile "manzanilla" which means little apple because when you walk on it, it gives out a very pleasant odor, like fresh apples. The flowers are used for medicinal purposes and they may be preserved by drying. 

Growing and Propagation of Chamomile

Types of Chamomile:
German chamomile: Matricaria recutita (M.chamomilla)

This is an annual that grows to 30 or 60cm and produces flowers that will reseed. It likes a sandy soil with a pH between 6 and 8.5. It will grow in full sun. Plant outdoors at the end of winter. If sown in trays Seedlings can be transplant when they are a little more than 25mm. It is best Chamomile to harvest flowers for tea.

Roman Chamomile: Chamaemelum nobile (Anthemis nobilis)

This is a low-growing perennial that reaches 30 cm in height. It may be propagated from seed, cuttings, or root division. It is good for lawns and flowers.

English Chamomile: Chamaemelum nobile 'Treneague'

This chamomile does not often produce flowers and must be grown from cuttings or by layering.  In winter it can be propagated by root division. It likes rich, neutral to slightly acid soil and requires good drainage and full sun. It does not like hot, dry weather. It is good for lawns and pathways.

         Chamomile as a groundcover

Chamomile makes a good lawn for smallish areas but may be used in a mixed lawn for larger areas. When walked on it releases a very pleasant fragrance, but will not stand very heavy traffic. The area to be planted should be well prepared before planting and will require to be hand weeded to keep it clear. It also has a tendency to die in patches, leaving brown areas. Which need to be uprooted and will then grow over again. It can be mown but does nor root deeply and so some patches may be uprooted better to clip by hand.

Garden Uses

 Chamomile makes a good compost tea. Which has an antifungal effect if sprayed as a mist onto seedlings, preventing damping off.

To make the spray Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1/4 cup chamomile blossoms and let steep until cool. Strain into a spray bottle and spray on seedlings and soil to prevent damping off and fungus diseases.
.

Chamomile makes a good companion plant for broccoli.

Medical Uses of Chamomile

Important! Do not use of herbs for medicinal purposes without consulting your medical doctor. Herbs have medicinal qualities and can react with other medication.  

Anxiety, Insomnia, Stess and Depression:

Chamomile is soothing to the nerves and can be used to induce sleep. Great taken as a tea.

Appetite Loss, Gastritis, Indigestion, Flatulence and Colic.

Chamomile is a calmative preventing the formation of gas which improves the appetite and helps digestion. Chamomile also improves the viscosity of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract.

For wind or colic, a tincture may be best, make by crushing and soaking about 50 gm of Clary leaves and flowers 25 gm of Chamomile flowers, about 2 teaspoons of bruised Caraway and Coriander seed and 2 teaspoons of Burdock seeds in warm water for 14 days. Add 1 litre spirit, then filter and dilute with double quantity of water. Take a wineglass full at a time..

Burns, Wounds and Bruises;

Use as a dressing or a poultice. The flowers Combined with Yarrow or Ground Ivy make an excellent poultice for abscesses, gatherings and tumours. 

Catarrh and Sinusitis:

Chamomile relieves nasal and sinus congestion.

Eczema, Dry Skin, Itching, Inflamation and Scurvy: 

Chamomile stimulates perspiration and blood flow near the skin .

Fever, Headache, Sore Throat and Nausea;:

Hair rinse: Make an Infusion (tea) of flowers in hot water. Cool, Strain and use as a rinse for light hair.

Essential Oil

 German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)   (also known as blue chamomile)

 The blue colour is due to azulene formed during the distillation process. Has an aroma of apples and is used in perfumes, massage oils and other herbal preparations. It is also used for aromatherapy for a calming and relaxing effect

Roman chamomile  (Antemis nobilis) Chamaemelum nobile (Anthemis nobilis)

Does not  have the blue colour or the apple aroma but is still used in perfumery.

 Recipes

 Chamomile Tea:

½ Liter boiling water to 15 grams of  flowers, steep 10 minutes. Strain. Add honey, sugar, milk or cream to taste.

Spice of Life Tea

(Especially for the gent who likes to call Marcia "MY SPICE OF LIFE")

Ingredients:
           Basil                                                                  Apple Mint
           Chamomile blossoms                                         Cinnamon Stick
           Orange peel

1 tsp. of tea to a cup of boiling water, drink after about  5 min. Add honey to taste.

Good Sleep Inducing Tea

Equal parts of :

Sage, Thyme, Marjoram, Oregano and Chamomile.

Rheumatic and muscular pains formula:

12 drops chamomile essential oil,                 

12 drops juniper essential oil,            

12 drops marjoram essential oil,                 

12 drops rosemary essential oil,           

100ml ginger tincture.

To prepare fresh ginger tincture at home by placing 50 gm of Ginger into ½ Liter of Spirit (Cane, Vodka etc) and leave to soak for about 2 weeks. Shake every day and make sure that the liquid always covers the ginger. Strain and decant into a dark bottle.

Rub into painful areas morning and night.  

Important! Do not use of herbs for medicinal purposes without consulting your medical doctor. Herbs have medicinal qualities and can react with other medication.

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