Chamomile

Chamomile *Chamaemelum nobile* Compositae family
C. nobile This perennial is also known as Roman chamomile. It can be used as a groundcover since it grows only 4 to 12 inches in height. The foliage is feathery with an apple scent, and it is accented by white, daisy-like flowers with down-turned petals. M. recutita The annual form of chamomile is also called German chamomile. It grows to 20 inches and has feathery foliage with daisy-like flowers like it's cousin. The flowers are scented, but the foliage is not. Cultivation Roman chamomile is usually propagated by root division, while German chamomile seeds are sown directly in early spring. The soil should be sandy and slightly acid. Full sun is preferred except in hot, dry climates where midday shade is necessary. Chamomile can also be used around the edges of containers with other herbs. After flowering, cut back to the main growth. Harvesting and Drying Cut the flowers from the stems with scissors and spread them out on muslin covered racks to dry. Culinary Uses Roman chamomile foliage can be chopped and stirred into butter or sour cream that is used to top baked potatoes. Medicinal Uses German Chamomile is most often used for medicinal purposes, and is usually administered as a tea. It can also be administered as a compress for external healing and as a bath for babies. Here are a few uses: Soothes and relaxes at bedtime. Relieves restlessness, teething problems, and colic in children. Relieves allergies, much as an antihistamine would. Aids digestion when taken as a tea after meals. Relieves morning sickness during pregnancy. Speeds healing of skin ulcers, wounds, or burns. Treats gastritis and ulcerative colitis. Other Uses Makes a relaxing bath or footbath. Lightens fair hair and conditions complexion. Make a rinse by simmering 2 teaspoons dried flowers in 8 ounces of water for 15 minutes. Potpourri (dry flowers face down.)	Uses for Chamomile Chamomile Tea Relieves cramps, dizziness, indigestion, and nervous stomach. Chamomile tea taken at mealtime stimulates the appetite. Taken at bedtime the tea will calm the nerves and help with insomnia. Adding chamomile tea to bath water will ease inflammation of the skin and soothe sunburn. For irritated skin and mild burns, a cold chamomile compress can be effective. Simmer 1 tablespoon of dried flowers in 500ml of water for 20-30 minutes. Refrigerate and when cool, soak a clean section of linen or gauze in the mixture. Apply the cloth to the affected area. The chamomile mixture used for the compress is not suitable for drinking.
*Language and mythology*	The name chamomile is derived from a Greek word meaning 'ground apple.' The plant has an applelike fragrance and flavor. It has long been believed to have gentle healing qualities. The early Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans reportedly used it. In England it was used as a strewing herb for its fresh fragrance, and in Spain it was used to flavor sherry.
*Description*	This low-growing plant has flowers that are similar to daisies, but smaller. The solid, solitary central disk is deep yellow, and the rays are silver white to cream. The flowers appear at the end of downy stems, often in pairs. The leaves are alternate and divided into threadlike segments covered with feathery fuzz. The fruit is an achene.
*Plant type and hardiness*	Perennial; hardiness zones 3 to 4.
*Height and width*	Height 9 inches; width varies, spreads quickly.
*Light and soil*	Full sun to partial shade; light, dry soil with a pH of 7.
*Pests and disease*	None noted.
*Cultivation*	The tiny seeds should be planted in small containers. Transplant seedlings 6 inches apart when big enough to handle. Keep them moist until they are established. For a lawn of English chamomile, plant the herb and keep it well watered until it is established. As the plantlets begin to creep, top-dress lightly with fertilizer to encourage spreading and matting.
*Companion planting*	Grow chamomile near onions, cabbages, and wheat. It is said to repel flying insects and increase crop yield. It is grown with peppermint plants to intensify the oil of the peppermint.
*Propagation method*	Division, seeds, or cuttings.
*Bloom time and color*	June to August; white rays and yellow disk.
*Harvesting*	Flowers should be harvested on a clear morning, before the sun has drawn valuable essences from the blossoms. Pick the opened heads carefully (using scissors) and spread on paper in a cool, dry, airy place. Once the flower heads are papery, store them in a dry screw-top jar.
*Herbal uses*	Aromatic, cosmetic, culinary, decorative, and medicinal. Dried leaves and flowers are used to scent potpourris. Chamomile also is used for soothing baths and skin lotions. It adds golden highlights to blonde hair. Fresh flower heads can decorate and flavor fresh salads. Dried leaves are used in tea and mixed with half mineral water for a refreshing beverage. The plant also can be used to make dye (buff, yellow, or gold). Lawns can be created using the low-growing English variety (Chamaemelum nobile), which reaches about 12 inches in height and creeps until it flowers. The taller German variety (Matricaria chamomile) reaches 1 to 2 feet in height and can be used for accent in beds or gardens. The plant is said to have some medicinal qualities.
*Garden notes*	The fragrant daisylike flowers add beauty to this low ground cover. Once our plants bloomed, they continued to do so for the rest of the growing season, providing much interest. They were especially nice at the edge of the garden.

German Chamomile

Roman Chamomile: Anthemis nobolis

German Chamomile: Matricaria recutita

Description and Habitat: Roman Chamomile is a small, european creeping perennial with very fine foliage and a solid yellow center with white petal rays which can grow to reach 8-12 inches in height. The stem is procumbent, the leaves alternate, bipinnate, finely dissected, and downy to glabrous. Flowering time occurs during early to mid-summer.German Chamomile is a southern european annual and exhibits an erect habitat that grows to approximately 24 inches. The stem is round, downy and furrowed, while the leaves are pale green, bipinnate, incised and sessel. The flowers of the German Chamomile are slightly larger than Roman Chamomile, but still look very similar.

Planting and Culture: Roman Chamomile may be started by seed, by root division, or by cuttings, the latter of the three being more successful. Once established, the runners from the plant will cover and fill in your designated area. German Chamomile must be started by seed each year and requires filtered light for proper germination. German Chamomile can be direct seeded in the garden after the last spring frost, or in early fall, where the seedlings may become established prior to the onset of winter. The small seedlings can be mulched and wintered over until the following spring for an early spring crop of Chamomile. German Chamomile also self seeds readily, and if left with flower tops intact, will produce new seedlings that should winter over until the following spring.

Harvesting: Harvesting the numerous daisy like flowers from either Roman or German Chamomiles can be a painstaking process. A harvesting tool, such as a chamomile rake greatly speeds up the process of harvesting the small flowers. Harvest the flowers during the bright morning hours of the day, after the dew has dried and the essential oil content of the flowers is high. Spread the flower tops gently across a framed, mesh screen and cover lightly with old newspaper to protect then from dust and dirt. Allow the flowers to dry for 2-3 weeks before sealing them in an airtight container. Another way to dry the flowers in is your range or oven. Place the oven on WARM only. Lay the flowers onto an unlined clean cookie sheet. Place in oven on WARM for 2-4 hours and remove. Once the flowers are completely dry (and yes there is a way to test for this) store in an airtight container. The Flowers should keep their essence for up to one year stored in this manner. To test to see if your chamomile is completely dry, take 1 or 2 buttons of flowers and fit inside a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Place the jar in direct sunlight for a full day. If condensation occurs inside the jar, the chamomile is not dried enough for proper storage. Continue the drying process until when tested, no condensation occurs.

Medicinal parts: The main medicinal part of the roman or German chamomile plant is the flower top. However, the entire plant has been used herbally for centuries. Essential Oil can be derived by steam distillation processes that yield a golden, highly fragrant oil from the Roman Chamomile plants, and a very intense blue oil from the German Chamomile plants. Dried flower tops of the Roman or German chamomiles are used in teas and potpourri. The scent of chamomile resembles a spicy sweet apple scent, similar to the golden delicious variety of apple. Both Chamomiles are used extensively in aromatherapy, and has great effect on the mind and central nervous system. The scent is calming, rejuvinative, and refreshing. A cup of chamomile tea before bedtime helps sooth irritated nerves and relaxes one for sleep.

Action and Pharmacology: Roman Chamomile

Compounds-volatile oils-chief components include ester of angelic or tiglic acid with isobutanol, isoamyl alcohol or 3-methylpentan-1-ol. Sesquiterpene lactones - nobilin, 3-epinobilin, 10-epoxynobilin, 3-dehydronobilin, as well as 1-beta-hydroperoxy-isonobilin, 4-alpha-hydroperoxy-manolide, flavonoids, caffeic and ferule acid esters.

Action and Pharmacology: German Chamomile

Compounds-volatile oils-chief components (-) alpha-bisabolol (levomenol), bisabolol oxide A, bisabolol oxide B, bisabolol oxide C, beta-trans-farnesene, trans-en-yn-diclyoether (polyyne spiroether, adjoing cis-en-yn-dicycloether), chamazulene (blue in color, arising from the non-volatile proazulene matricine after steam distillation), Flavonoids include flavone glycosides, aglycones apigenin, lureoin, chrysoeriol, apigenin 7-O-glucoside, apigenine glucoside acetate. Aglycones include quercetin, isohamnetin, patuletin, and rutin. Hydroxycourmarins include umbelloferone, herniarin.

Indications and usage: The main active constituents of the chamomiles are the flavonoids and the essential oils. The drug has antiphlogistic, antispasmodic, and antibacterial effects. German chamomile teas is useful as tea for nervous conditions, stomach ache, restlessness, and insomnia, colds, liver complaints, wounds and burns. Essential oil from the German chamomile plant is used in aromatherapy for inhalation therapy and well as in massage oils for rheumatism, joint stiffness, and muscular aches and pains.

Precautions and adverse reactions: No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages. The drug possesses a very week potential for sensitization.

Dosage & Preparation: The average daily internal dosage of the drug is 10-15 gm. Internal dosage preparations include tea, extracts, and capsule formulations. Teas may be produced by infusing 3 gm of herb into one-cup very hot water and allowing to steep for 5-10 minutes. External applications of the essential oil from either of the varieties can also be used. Dilute 1 drop of essential oil into approximately 10-12 drops of base oil such as jojoba, apricot or sweet almond. This should yield approximately a 7% blend, which is safe for external applications at that time. Do not apply Pure Essential oil directly the skin. The oil may also be used in inhalation therapy by adding 1-3 drops to an oil diffuser.

Magickal and Folklore Uses: Roman chamomile is also known as camomile, ground apple, chamaimelon, or whig plant. The gender of the plant is masculine, its ruling planet is sun, and its ruling element is water. Proclaimed powers of the plant include love, money, purification, and sleep. When used in incense blends, it promotes sleep and meditation. Used in bath sachets the herb attracts love and money. Gamblers used to wash their hands in an of infusion of chamomile tea prior to a gambling event to ensure their money would return to them. As a purification and protection herb it has been used as a sprinkle around one's property to remove curses and spells against you. German folklore included taking fresh tall sprigs of the German variety of chamomile, tying them together and placing above the doorway inside to bring protection and happiness to the home.