Chamomile

The first Herb to discuss will be the very common and well known Chamomile.

Chamomile can be grown in most areas, even as a lawn. Most people simply go to the supermarket and buy Chamomile as  teabags. This is certainly very handy, but it doesn't compare with the freshly dried herb and flowers. However, if you have nothing else than teabags on hand, that's fine, just use double strength, yes... that's 2 teabags :-)

Boil water, let it come off the boil for a minute, than pour it over the bags, jiggle a bit and place a lid on the cup to make sure the essential oils and aromas are not disappearing into thin air. Let it steep for 7 to 10min., if you don't like the taste, add a bit of quality honey.

Now, most people would use Chamomile to calm down a bit, it is nice to drink before going to bed. Indeed, Chamomile is classed as a sedative, but interestingly that's not all, it has some great probably unexpected uses.

Anyone who ever had a bit of Gastritis, knows how irritating this can be. Stomach ulcers obviously are even worse. I am not claiming that you can cure a Stomach - Gastric Ulcer with Chamomile tea, but it certainly will settle your stomach.

If you have any stomach complaints, here is what you do:

At night,  brew up some Chamomile tea, if possible, use the real thing, if not, teabags will do, remember - use double strength. Same for lose Chamomile, use 2 heaped teaspoon full of tea, and add a teaspoon of honey. Pour the tea into a thermos flask, and put it next to your bed, together with a cup. Set your alarm clock 30min before you have to go up. next morning, when you be woken up by your trusty alarm clock, fill your cup with the Chamomile tea and slowly drink it up. Lay down in your bed on your back for 5min, than turn to your right side for 5 min, on to your stomach for another 5 min and to your left for a further 5 min. and just a few more minutes on your back again before you finally go up. Do that for a few days or a week or even longer...  it really does help. This practice is called a Rollkur ( roll cure ) in Germany.

Why does it work?  First it is the mildly sedative effect and secondly, Chamomiles action of disbursing dead bacteria from the linings is of great benefit.

Has it got any other function? Sure has,  it's good for babies, colic and just to settle them, use only a small dose for brewing the tea, and than give only a teaspoon. It can be combined with other herbs as well to form a synergistic action. For Colics, it can be combined with Fennel Seed tea.

Chamomile, the specifics:

Action: Nervine, carminative, antispasmodic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, diaphoretic.

Systems beneficial affected or Good for: The Brain, Nervous System, Stomach, Uterus, and  generally soothing the whole body, great for stress.

A classic remedy for indigestion in combination with stress.

Great for pain and cramping associated with the menstrual cycle, and the trick here is to add a sprinkle of Chilly powder to stimulate circulation.

Chamomile contains the amino acid "tryptophan", which is a sedative, will help with sleeping difficulties, esp in combination with a herb called Vervain, another herb containing tryptophan, try it in warm milk if you are not allergic to the milk, that would give you a triple tryptophan sleep inducer, sounds fantastic.

For a more precise dosage, you should take: 5grams for 100ml of water -  this can be doubled for specific treatments such as discussed above.

Here are some more old house recipes.

For sore or tired feeling eyes: moisten and warm up 2 teabags on top of a kettle, and palce them on your eyes.

Toothache: Do the same again with one teabag, place it on the outside where you sore tooth is and hold it in place by a warm woollen scarf.

Irritable children: A cup of chamomile tea as atonic once or twice a day.  (or maybe you need it more)

Hangover: Chamomile tea may offset the effects of alcohol, it certainly can quieten a squeeze  stomach

Note:

As with any Herb or plant, some people may be allergic to it. If you are allergic to ragwort pollen, you may be allergic to chamomile, both are ground covers and may be picked together.

Herbs with volatile oils  should never be boiled, the active ingredients will simply evaporate.

Feel free to comment or ask questions ... or add your favourite use for Chamomile.

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