In olden days, camomile was known as the “plant’s physician” and it is stated that nothing contributes as much to a healthy garden as a number of camomile plants. Old herbals tell us that if a plant is drooping or sickly, it will recover if you place a camomile near it.
There are two types of camomile, the German (Matricaria recutita) and the English or Roman (Anthemis nobilis), both are natives of Europe.
Camomile is used traditionally for numerous gastrointestinal conditions, including digestive disorders, spasm or colic, upset stomach, flatulence, ulcers, and gastrointestinal irritation.
Camomile is soothing the stomach, and relaxing the muscles that move food through the intestines.
Camomile has been known for centuries as one the most useful for babies and children and has been considered a cure-all.
Most Camomile tea is excellent for children suffering from cramps and stomach aches and for those who are tense, nervous and highly strung. It is beneficial for hyperactive children, calming their nervous activity and for teething problems of smaller ones.
The tea is of help in flatulence, diarrhoea, stomach troubles and gastritis, in menstrual and stomach disorders, insomnia and toothaches.
Camomile produces perspiration, is soothing and antispasmodic, it is antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, especially in cases of inflammation of the mucous membranes.
For sore eyes, boil camomile in milk and apply it as a compress over the closed eyes.
As a hair conditioner, camomile decoction will give hair a beautiful shine.
For haemorrhoids, a camomile sitz bath is very effective.
For sweaty feet use it as a foot bath.
Colds and sinusitis improve if camomile steam is inhaled.
Camomile baths and washings are most beneficial to the nervous system.
A warm camomile herb pillow* will bring relief to an earache and other aching parts of the body.
Used as a sitz bath, it helps haemorrhoids, or as a foot bath for sweaty feet or hands. For haemorrhoids and wounds an ointment can be made of the flowers. Very effective is a warm camomile herb pillow apply it to aching parts. Colds and sinusitis improve if camomile steam is inhaled.
Seventeenth century herbalist Culpeper said to use camomile oil made from the flowers to anoint the body against stiff joints.
* Fill a small pillow with camomile (100g – 200g – or 300g depending on the size) heat the pillow in the oven or microwave for a minute or so. Apply the herb pillow to the aching area overnight— the camomile pillow will bring relief while retaining its power to relieve for several weeks.
Discover the importance of the nervous system and why it must never cease “communicating” in our Nervous System and Sensory Organs Lesson 7!