What do you think of when someone says Chamomile? For a long time I would have said an unpleasant herbal tea.
Now I think of a small, useful plant, and a hot drink that I actually quite enjoy.
Chamomile (or camomile, as it is sometimes spelt) is the common name used to refer to two different plants sharing very similar medicinal qualities. Chamaemelum nobile, or Roman chamomile, is a low-growing perennial, which spreads in a mat-like formation, and is more commonly used in the garden. Matricaria recutita (Wild or German Chamomile) is a taller, self-seeding annual, and more likely to be grown commercially. Both have small, daisy-like flowers.
When researching this herb, it became obvious that chamomile has a long-standing folklore, and been revered by everyone from ancient Egyptians to the Saxons. This respect for chamomile is associated with its wide range of uses.
Some of these uses are pretty whimsical. For example, did you know that if you wash your hands in chamomile water, you'll win money on a bet? I sure didn't.
However, many of the medicinal claims of chamomile use have been long-known, and are even backed by scientific studies. So, I (somewhat begrudgingly) began to drink chamomile as a herbal infusion to ease PMS a couple of years ago, and now I wished I had started sooner.
So I thought I would share a little information about this little flower, and why it is so well-respected.
It’s good for you:
It seems safe to say that chamomile is a good all-round herb - a jack-of-all-trades if you will. It is generally taken internally as an infusion by steeping the dried flowers (the source of its many powers) in hot water. When I first starting drinking it, I didn't care for the flavour at all. However, after forcing myself to keep trying it, I gradually began to develop a taste for it. Now I find it refreshing.
The infusion is meant to have a sedative affect on the drinker, easing mild anxiety and promoting a more restful sleep. This makes chamomile an excellent herbal tea to drink in the evening after dinner and before bedtime, especially as it aids digestion too.
Chamomile has well-reported anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties. It has been used to treat many medical complaints, from nausea to headaches to wind. It has also shown significant promise in healing wounds.
Used externally as an emollient for skin treatments, chamomile is particularly affective for soothing dry skin and eczema. Chamomile is a gentle herb, which is good to know if you have sensitive skin.
It’s good for the garden too
Known as the 'Plant's physician', Chamomile extends its superpowers to the rest of the garden too. Not only is it attractive to pollinators, making it an excellent companion plant in a vegetable patch, but it is said to help revive poorly neighbouring plants too. With this in mind, you may be happy to know that it tends to self-seed itself in nooks and crannies in the garden.
Next time I grow tomatoes from seed, I may take advantage of chamomile flowers' anti-fungal properties and make an organic spray to use on seedlings to prevent damping off.
It looks good, it smells good and it and grows easily
When you brush your hand over the leaves of Roman chamomile, you get a lovely scent of apples. In Ancient Greek, chamomile means 'ground apple', and traditionally, it is used to create ornamental lawns, releasing it's fresh scent when walked on.
If I had a lawn, I would seriously consider incorporating Roman chamomile into it, because it's
aroma is one of my favourite scents in the garden, and I can imagine walking barefoot on a chamomile lawn in summer would be a particularly nice experience. Instead I grow it in a wide, shallow container, where it cheerfully flowers every summer, and I can happily crush the foliage between my fingers when I want to smell fresh apples.
So have I convinced you to give chamomile a try? As with all herbs, it is a good idea to do your research first. See below.
Thank you for reading.
Have a great week.
Disclaimer:
Despite being considered mild, chamomile may still be harmful to some. Always do your research before taking chamomile.
Please note that some people are allergic to chamomile, and in these cases, exposure to it may cause skin irritation. Those with known allergies to plants in the daisy (Asteraceae) family should avoid chamomile.
German chamomile has not been established as safe to use during pregnancy or lactation, and is not recommended for use in pregnancy. If you are pregnant, or breastfeeding, you should discuss your use of this herb with your doctor.
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