Camomile The Calming Herb

Parts Used: Flower heads


Actions: sedetive, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergeic, antipasmodic, stomachic,

When to harvest: When flower heads are fully open, just snip off the tops and lay on a mesh screen in a warm and airy room or place them in a dehydrator on the lowest heat setting.

Uses: Camomile is praised for it's calming affects. Camomile is a very good childrens herb, because of camomile's sedative affects. A tea of the herb is used for hyperactive children and also anxiety and insomnia.
It also helps soothe teething and colic in babies. It is also a very good anti-allergic. I have heard of babies being bathed in camomile flowers to help prevent allergic reactions. Also camomile is a good herb to treat a variety of 'womens' diseases' It can help relieve pain from menopausal symptoms or mastitis problems. It is also recommended for women expeirenceing pain or cramps before menstruation. Camomile is also a good remedy for a number of stomach problems.

Other uses: asthma, colds, hay fever, sore throat, insomnia, sore muscles, colds and flu

External: as a polultice or compress camomile is good for wounds, burns, and skin ulcers. The plant helps itching, and irritation, cleans infected wounds and ulcers.

Camomile is also used for lightening blond hair.

1. Place 1 cup of camomile flowers into enamel pot with 2 c. of boiling water.

2. Lower the heat to just under boiling and let simmer for 1/2 and hour.

3. Let the infusion sit for 3 hrs.

4. Strain the infusion using a tea strainer and pour over your head several times, catching it into a bowl as you pour.

For best results, dry your hair in the sunlight after using the rinse.

First Aid Kit, Your Stepping On It...

We were at out farmers market last week and I went to pick up my crocheting and there was bee sitting on it and it stung me on my pinky finger, and it hurt!! :) I could quickly tell that it was swelling and was only going to get worse, I grabbed some plantain from the grass and a bottle of water, after washing I chewed it up and placed it on the infected area. I held it in place for about 8 min. and there was no swelling and no pain.

Plantain is an astringent, anti-immflamitory, anti-venomous, and also an anti-bacterial. So it pulls out the stinger from the infected area as well as cool the immflamed area.

You can make a salve out of it and it can be applied to any kind of bite, cut and bruise. I even put it on really irritating mosquito bites and it seems to calm them down.

This little plant can be found in low lying grass and every other place immaginable. I'll bet ya' anything you have some in your yard.

They grow on every continent in the world except Antartica. And can be found anywhere in North America. So chances are that you have some around you.