26 Aug Chamomile – calming, soothing, relaxing
Renowned for its sedative properties this medicinally valued plant since the time of ancient Egypt can be found growing wild in fields throughout the summer. Its ideal to harvest when the flowers are fully open, dry, in the earlier part of the morning. One of the favourite garden herbs for its medicinal value not only to humans but plants alike. In fact it’s also been called the ‘Plant’s Physician’ as it has a healing effect on the health of plants in the garden, its suggested that dispersing this little plant around the garden will help sickly plants recover.
Chamomile as a wonderful soothing sedative helping and supporting the nervous and digestive system and disorders associated with each other, like heartburn, flatulence, constipation, IBS, travel sickness, ulcers and diarrhea. Other valued benefits its used to treat are hyperactivity in children, anxiety, insomnia, palpitations, fearfulness and is considered a great remedy for nightmares. Chamomile can also be used as an eye wash or as a gargle for mouth ulcers. A hair rinse made from the flowers is said to lighten hair. Bunches of this herb help to keep insects at bay. Menstrual cramps, PMT, pain during birth are also helped by the flowers of this little plant.
A popular way of ingesting this herb is by tea which is best brewed in a pot in order to prevent the steam escaping, let it stand for at least 10 minutes. Combine with ginger and allow to cool will provide an good tonic for indigestion, heartburn, loss of appetite, gout and headaches.
