Relax with Chamomile

Chamomile is a friendly, down-to-earth sort of plant, with many applications.

German v. Roman Chamomile

German chamomile has been classified by botanists as Matricaria recutital, M. recutita, Chamomilla recutita and Matricaria chamomilla, while Roman chamomile has been classified both as Anthemis nobilis and Chamaemelum nobile. Roman is the common chamomile of England; it was first dubbed Roman chamomile in 1598, when the plant grew abundantly near Rome. It’s an aromatic perennial that creeps along the ground, reaching only about one foot in height. (As a matter of fact, the name chamomile comes from the Greek chamos (ground) and melos (apple), a reference to its mildly apple scent. German chamomile is a sweet-scented annual that grows to about 2 1/2 feet in height. While in England Roman chamomile is preferred, in Europe and the U.S. the German is more popular. There are genetic and chemical differences between the two chamomiles, but both are widely cultivated in Europe and America, and they are similarly used in beauty products, tinctures, extracts, salves and compresses. Chamomile tea is enjoyed alone or in tea blends. In fact, according to one estimate, over one million cups of chamomile tea are drunk worldwide every day!

Ask the Experts

Chamomile seems so soothing. Will a chamomile bath help a sunburn?
Yes, that’s a great idea. But for even more real relief, soak a tablespoon of chamomile flowers in 2 tablespoons of witch hazel for ten minutes, then strain. Add a teaspoon of honey. Dab onto the sunburn. Rinse off after 15 minutes or so.
I’ve heard of people having allergic reactions to chamomile. How common is this?
Allergic reactions to chamomile are rare, but possible. If you’re allergic to ragweed, aster and chrysanthemums (members of the Asteraceae family), it’s possible that you may also react to chamomile. (If taken internally, you might have some bronchial constriction, and if used topically, you might have a skin reaction.) Often when people have allergic reactions to chamomile, though, the plants are not true chamomile, but one of a number of “mayweeds” or other plants that are commonly called chamomile. If you grow your own true chamomile or purchase it from a company that positively identifies the plant, you’re much less likely to have problems with
chamomile allergies.

Steam Clean

To moisturize and cleanse your skin, place a handful of chamomile flowers in a large bowl. Add boiling water, then lean over the bowl, with a towel draped over your head. Steam for about ten minutes, then rinse with warm, then cool water. Other good additions include rosemary, sage, rose petals, and mint.

Eye Openers

A pair of chamomile teabags (fill your own muslin bags with chamomile flowers) that have been steeped make soothing eye compresses. Simply place the warm or cool bags on your eyes while you lie down for about 15 minutes.

Calming Chamomile

After Peter Rabbit’s exploits in Mr. McGregor’s garden, “His mother put him to bed and made some camomile tea; and she gave a dose of it to Peter.” —The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter. The pretty little chamomile flower is renowned for its ability to soothe and relax. That’s why it’s a favorite in bedtime baths and teas. Another way to put chamomile to calming use is to mix it into potpourri blends, sachets, and sleep pillows.

1 cup chamomile flowers; 1 cup lavender flowers; 1 cup rosemary leaf; 1/2 cup thyme leaf; 1 cup lemon verbena leaf; 2 teaspoons orris root powder; 1 teaspoon coriander seed powder; a few drops of lavender essential oil

Mix first five ingredients together in a glass bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the orris root with the coriander. Add the lavender oil and stir. Combine the orris root mixture with the dried flowers and leaves and mix well. Place the mixture in a covered glass container for about a month, then use in potpourri bowls or sachets. Refresh the potpourri with a drop or two of oil every so often. To use the potpourri in a sleep pillow, simply sew a fabric pillowcase the desired size. Wrap the finished potpourri in cotton batting, if you’d like the pillow to be soft, and then stuff into the pillow. Sew the open end closed. Place in a plastic bag for about 24 hours, before using, to strengthen the scent.

Chamomile Crown

Soften and brighten light-colored hair with a chamomile rinse. Simmer four tablespoons chamomile flowers in two cups of water for about half an hour. (Cover the pot to avoid evaporation.) Pour rinse through hair after shampooing. Catch the rinse in a bucket and re-apply several times, if you like. For enhanced lightening, add a tablespoon of lemon juice to your chamomile rinse. (If you use the lemon, follow with a plain water rinse.)
Bathing Beauty
Fill a tea ball or muslin bag with chamomile flowers. Place it under the running tub faucet when you draw a bath. The herb will moisturize and relax. Add elder flowers, mullein flowers, rose petals, lavender flowers and/or linden flowers to enhance your experience.
Tootsie Treat
If you don’t have time for a full-body soak, draw a chamomile foot bath (simply add an infusion, or strong tea, of chamomile to a basin of warm water).

Lovely Lavender!

Lavish Lavender

Learn about lavender and how to use it with other herbs to make lavender facial steams, lavender potpourris, lavender herbal baths, lavender sachets, lavender hair rinses, and lavender compresses.
Fields of purple/blue plants sway to the horizon on an English lavender farm. At home, tidy dresser drawers cradle lavender sachets amidst favorite lingerie, and aptly colored lavender soap evokes memories of grandmother. Is there a more romantic herb than lavender? Because it’s been a favorite for so long, lavender has a way of evoking nostalgia. But it’s a versatile mainstay in the modern world, too—for its cosmetic, culinary, household, therapeutic and culinary contributions.
True lavender is perfectly aromatic—distinctive but not overwhelming, floral and sweet, yet clean, even pine-like. And, happily, dried lavender is nearly as wonderful as fresh. Enjoy lavender in homemade (or purchased) soaps, lotions, air fresheners, shampoos, tinctures, teas and salves.

Here are just a few very easy ways to take pleasure in lavender:

Lavender Facial Steam

An aromatic astringent, lavender will cleanse and stimulate your complexion. Simply place a handful of lavender (along, if you like, with other good facial herbs like rosemary and rose) in a bowl and pour boiling water over the herbs. Using a large towel, make a tent over your head and lean over the steaming bowl for about ten minutes. Rinse and pat dry.

Lavender Potpourri

Lavender is a classic potpourri herb. Use it alone, or in combination with herbs like mint, thyme, marjoram, chamomile, jasmine and rose. To better preserve the scent, add a little orris root powder (about 1/4 cup of orris root per cup of herb mixture) and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Mix gently, and seal in a glass jar for about a month. Then scoop into open bowls, baskets, and jars. Or use in sachets.

Lavender Herbal Bath

Tie lavender flowers in cheesecloth or place in a mesh tea ball or cloth teabag. Hang from the tub faucet and run water directly over the herbs. Lavender soothes and refreshes the skin and the spirit.

Lavender Sachet

To scent your clothes, sew little pillows of lavender or lavender blend (above) and place them in your drawers and closets. Or simply tie lavender in little squares of loosely woven cloth or in small muslin teabags. Place your sachets in linen and clothes closets and in dresser drawers. Or sew into an herb pillow to lull a fitful sleeper.

Lavender Hair Rinse

Combine 2 tablespoons lavender, 2 teaspoons mint, 1 tablespoon rosemary, and 1 tablespoon sage in a glass jar. Add 1 cup of warm vinegar (it will impart shine to your hair) to the jar, then cap. Place in a warm place and stir once a day. Strain. To use, dilute the vinegar rinse with warm water (about ¼ cup of vinegar per 2 cups of warm water), and pour on hair as a final rinse after shampooing.
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Cooking with Lavender

Lavender is a wonderful culinary herb, delicious in both sweet and savory dishes.

The French have traditionally used lavender in their Herbes de Provence, a blend of thyme, savory, rosemary, fennel and lavender. (Cooks today often add other herbs to this blend, including tarragon, chervil, garlic, parsley and basil.) Blend your own Herbs of Provence with your favorite of these herbs, and use it in marinades or salad dressings, in fruit salads and stews. Try it as a rub for chicken and fish (rub with a little olive oil first, then coat with the herb blend).
To transform a cake or cookies, fold lavender into the batter. Angel food or pound cakes and butter cookie recipes work well, because they’re subtle enough to showcase the lavender. Lavender is also delicious in jellies, jams, and breads (simply knead into the dough). Or make lavender sugar by combining a tablespoon or two of dried lavender with about a cup of granulated sugar. Grind, then add to whipped cream or other dessert ingredients, or use to sweeten lemonade.
Add a pinch of lavender to your favorite herbal tea (it works especially well with mints, lemon verbena, and chamomile) to step up the flavor and effect! Or, for a truly revitalizing, cleansing tea, steep lavender flowers solo.
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ASK THE EXPERTS

What’s the difference between true lavender and spike lavender?
True lavender (Lavandula angustifolia. L. officinalis, and L. vera) is a delicately aromatic herb, prized for its culinary, medicinal, and perfumery uses. Spike lavender (L. latifolia), on the other hand, has a pungent, camphorlike aroma, and it’s used mostly in cleaning products and insect repellents. Cultivated primarily for its essential oil, spike lavender yields much more oil than true English lavender, but the quality is not nearly as good. Spike lavender, in fact, is known as “lesser lavender.”
What is lavandin?
Also known as Dutch lavender, lavandin (L. x intermedia) is a hybrid of true lavender and spike lavender. Lavandin and lavandin essential oil are used in aromatherapy, crafting, and perfumery. Lavandin is less expensive than true lavender, and it’s often used to scent toiletries and household products and as an adulterant of true lavender.
How can I tell if my lavender has been adulterated?
If your lavender has a camphor-like note, it may contain lavandin. In fact, to determine even low levels of adulteration, lavender essential oil is analyzed for its camphor (and 1,8-cineole) content. Frontier uses gas chromatography (GC) to test lavender flowers in order to conclusively determine that they are authentic and unadulterated. The product Frontier labels “lavender” is pure, unadulterated lavender. And if you wish to purchase lavandin, you’ll find it properly labeled “lavandin.”

Daily Herbs-An Herb A Day Keeps The Doctor Away

Welcome to my daily blog featuring an herb everyday that can improve your life or maybe just your knowledge! I have been growing, using, and selling herbs for over 20 years and I'm also a traditional naturopath. Please feel free to comment on my blog and to make it more complete! The first herb that i'm going to discuss is Taraxacum officinale, or Dandelion. This is the time of year when "Scott" starts running its anti dandelion ads on tv and radio."Get rid of that obnoxious weed and stop making your neighbors mad by spreading those pesky seeds" they proclaim.
I have decided that I prefer dandelion to grass and am currently letting a portion of my yard(which is covered with dandelions) go to seed and get rid of the grass.I will post a picture in the near future of my project!
Dandelion is called "The King of Herbs" and every part of the plant is useful and edible! Dandelion is a very rich source of vitamins A,B,C, and D as well as many minerals such as iron and zinc. It's leaves are now sold in health food stores as a great green to add to salads. The roots are ground for tea or roasted as a coffee substitute. The flower makes a very nice gold wine!
Dandelion has been used for centuries to treat liver problems and kidney disease.Dandelion is a great appetite stimulant and digestive aid. It's a perfect spring tonic for what ails you!
So this year let's just say no to Scott and yes to "The King Of Herbs!"