Chamomile - The Wonder Plant

Anyone who has an interest in home medicine will swear by the chamomile plant. The curative properties of this low-growing plant are plenty. From relieving coughs and colds to skin ailments, this plant does it all. In fact if you place it next to a dying plant, that too will revive. It has been a part of English gardens for centuries. Essentially Anthemis nobilis is like a creeper with flowers that are about one foot high off the ground. These flowers bloom from end of July to September. Walking on the plant causes it to propagate and of course give off its very pleasant aroma.

Growing Chamomile

The plant requires good amounts of sun. Even though it was the single-flowered, wild variety that was considered more valuable, medicinally, it is the variety that is double-flowered that is ranked high for pharmaceutical use. The latter requires a soil that is richer and the majority of blooms are in a moist almost stiff black loam. It is found and cultivated mainly in Belgium, France, Saxony and England, chiefly in the famous herb-growing district of Mitcham.

A History of Chamomile

The Greeks noted the strong aroma of this herb. It was they who named the plant - 'ground-apple' - kamai (on the ground) and melon (an apple). The Spanish named it 'Manzanilla,' which signifies 'a little apple', they use it to flavor one of their lightest Sherries and in doing so named the Sherry the same. The whole herb has also been used to make herb beers at one time.

The herb gives off a strong aroma when trod on. This was the reason it was a part of the green walks in gardens. It was also a major aromatic strewing herb in the Middle Ages. Known as the ‘plant’s physician, it could heal a drooping and sickly plant if placed near one.

Chamomile - The Healer

The most popular uses of the plant include a tea preparation and an essential oil. Preparations of the herb help to ward off a multiplicity of illnesses - from colds to menstrual cramps; even nightmares can be prevented with this. Its range of remedies covers flatulent colic, heartburn and loss of appetite, sluggish state of the intestinal canal, gout and periodic headache. It is a diuretic and also reduces external swelling, inflammatory pain or congested neuralgia. If made into a tea, it calms and soothes the mind making it an excellent de-stressor! You can drink it plain or with a dash of honey for added sweetness.

Insomnia and anxiety can be alleviated by this plant. It has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties that provide relief. In infants, it is helpful for everything from diarrhea to diaper rashes. Even in adults, it has immense skin-care abilities - soothing and softening the skin, curing rashes, abrasions, and burns. It has been found to actually help skin conditions that are more serious such as eczema, which may respond positively to topical ointments or lotions containing the herb. Due to its anti-bacterial properties, it facilitates the healing of various infections – internal and external. Interestingly, you can also use it for dyeing your hair blonde! Mixed with lemon, chamomile makes a very aromatic essential oil used in many spas for relaxing the mind and body.

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