Chamomile ( Camomile, Cambomile)
There is a very wide variety of chamomiles growing wild and in gardens, and many look alike , very fine fern leaves and daisy heads. (Sometimes completely yellow.) On closer inspection there are differences in appearance and foliage color and their uses are not all the same. The most usual kind found in gardens is the old self-sowing feverfew or febrifuge (Tanacetum parthenium), which can have green or golden foliage; it is not used often today in herbal teas. I was told once that it was a cure for headaches and menstrual pain, although German chamomile is a better for these problems. There is another pyrethrum daisy of the chamomile group with grey foliage and white flowers which is said to be the most effective for pyrethrum insect sprays, many of which are on the market now. Both English and German chamomiles are by far the most popular to grow. The English kind has fine, feathery leaves and a creeping, matting habit. In late summer it sends up stems of flowerheads which make a beautiful informal lawn if kept well watered in a low-rainfall area. The flowers are cut for herb tea, and then the mower, set fairly high, can be run over the plants. Some people have found that this does not make a successful lawn, and there is a hard-to-get variety known as the Treneague strain of chamomile which is the very best type for lawns. German chamomile grows quickly into a bushy little plant with fine foliage, and bears flowers profusely for quite some time. The fragrance of chamomile has been likened to fresh apples.
Chamomile has insect repellant properties and for this reason was used for thousands of years as a flooring to be trodden on as the sweet smell not only deodorised but also repelled the insects . Also puit in stews and boiled meats to add taste but also to allow the active ingredient into your own blood stream to ward off the pesky bloodsuckers .
Medicinal
Chamomile tea has been famous for centuries for its relaxing qualities and the calming of frayed nerves and soothing effect on the digestion. It is helpful to women suffering from menstrual pain and tension. Children also benefit from a mild infusion of this tea if they are restless and overtired. (Even Peter Rabbit was given a soothing cup of chamomile tea by his mother after a narrow escape from Mr. McGregor!). They usually prefer it sweetened with honey, or mixed with peppermint tea. It is a tea for everyone who is suffering from fevers or colds. It is an excellent tea for students studying hard, and for overtired businessmen. An infusion of the flowers, strained and poured into a hot bath, will reduce muscular weariness and fatigue. A well-tried folk remedy for a stye in the eye is to bathe it frequently with strained, cooled chamomile tea. We can vouch for its reliability, having tried this cure many times.
Uses
An infusion of chamomile flowers, strained, cooled, and used as a hair rinse, has been used for centuries to lighten the hair. There are many shampoos, setting lotions, and conditioners on the market today containing chamomile, mainly to be used for fair or light brown hair. It benefits the hair at the same time as “blonding” it. Chamomile flowers in sleep pillows mixed with other slumber-inducing herbs (lavender, valerian, hops, roses, and lemon verbena) are effective, the warmth of the head releasing the various perfumes to induce relaxation which precedes sleep. Chamomile used in facial steams, or incorporated into cream, is soothing and strengthening to the tissues. It is also used in rejuvenating facial masks, beauty lotions, herbal soap, body lotions, lotions for sunburn, for tired eyes, and for aching feet.
