This post is in response to a query from Holly about some of the uses of dried Chamomile. I hope it’s helpful and gives you some new ideas to play with.
What a joy is Chamomile. A powerful healer, yet gentle enough for children, it has been used throughout history for its numerous beneficial properties. One of the nine sacred herbs of the Anglo- Saxons, its primary uses in modern herbalism are for soothing digestion, anxiety and irritated skin but it’s also been used for coughs, colds, pain relief, asthma, teething and gallstones to name but a few. As a carminative and aromatic it helps dispel bloating and gas which is why it is traditionally drunk after a meal.
I get through lots of dried chamomile and there’s a variety of different things you can do with it.
Teas – Chamomile is probably the most famous herbal tea around, used primarily for easing the digestion and nervous system, it even sorted out Peter Rabbit after he ate too many lettuces! You could harness its relaxing properties by making a blend with equal parts chamomile, rose and oatstraw with a half part lavender for a calming bedtime brew. My absolute favourite tea of all time is chamomile, peppermint and cardamom which makes a great after dinner blend for soothing the digestion and tastes just wonderful.
The plain chamomile tea can also be used as a gargle for mild toothache or as a wash for sore eyes and itchy skin. A strong, hot tea is also useful as a steam inhalation for colds and irritated coughs.
Infused oil – A chamomile infused oil can be helpful in soothing irritated, dry or flaky skin as well as easing tired limbs and rheumatic pains. It can also be made into a beautiful soothing cream with some chamomile infusion and essential oil. To make the infused oil from dried plant material you will need to warm the flowers, with enough oil to cover, in a bain marie or double boiler with the lid on and leave on the lowest heat for several hours making sure the water underneath does not boil away. Alternatively you can add the flowers and oil to a jar and leave in the oven on the lowest heat for 3-4 hours before straining and rebottling. I also like to add a couple of tablespoons of the oil to a bath or use it as a hair conditioner.
Strong infusions – Overnight or long infusions of Chamomile can be a bit strong for drinking, unless there’s a specific medical issue you are hoping to address, but they are great in baths and will help sooth the skin and nervous system when used in this way. They are said to be particularly helpful in exhaustion and convalescence. To make a strong infusion for a bath, add a double handful of flowers to a litre of boiling water and allow to infuse for 4-8 hours. Strain and add the liquid to the bath water. You can use the same preparation as a hair rinse, especially if you have light brown or blond hair. I tried this a few times a while ago and it really brightened my hair and made it look so shiny and healthy, unfortunately I started to dye our pillows yellow so I was banned from using it. Perhaps it’s best for those with dark pillowcases!
Sleep pillow – Making a sleep pillow is a lovely activity and good for doing with children who have difficulty drifting off. If, like me, your sewing is an embarrassment, you can buy little organza bags which you can stuff with herbs and then just tie tightly so no bits escape. Hops are traditional in a sleep pillow but they can give some people bad dreams so my favourite combination is equal parts Lavender, Rose, Chamomile and Linden flowers.
Compresses – Antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, a compress made by soaking a cloth in Chamomile infusion is useful for slow healing wounds and irritated skin. It can also be laid on the stomach to ease period pains.
If anyone else has any favourite chamomile recipes please share them in the comments below.
Wonderful post!
Tonight I sure will try out the suggested blend of chamomile, peppermint and cardamom. I am looking forward to reduce our coffee intake with delicious smelling herb teas π
Herb bath are so wonderful and I always have a milk or salt bath at hand.
For the salt bath I mix 10g dries chamomile with 500g seasalt. You can powder the chamomile if you don’t like floating flowers in the tub. Give the mixture in a nice jar and label.
For the bath itself use 2 Tbsp in a nice full bath or relax your sore feet in a bowl of warm water with a tsp full of chamomile salt.
For the milk bath I have different ways…
A jar of baby bath blend contains 2 cups milk powder and 1 Tbsp powdered chamomile flowers.
1 tsp in a baby bath will sooth your baby and is even worth to try for a colic baby.
My adult milk bath contains 2 Tbsp powdered chamomile, 1 cup milk powder and 1 cup baking soda.
Use 1-2 Tbsp of this blend for a full bath.
I pop chamomile also into scrubs for hands and feet. Therefore mix 1 cup coarse corn meal (polenta), 1 cup rolled oats, half cup sea salt and a quarter to a half cup of chamomile in a blender. Give in a jar and use some of the blend to massage your wet hands or feet.
Then wash the scrub away and sooth with chamomile creme (www.myherbcorner.com/wiki/index.php?title=Creme_/_Cream )
Together with rolled oat and almonds, chamomile is a mild face peeling. Blend a cup of rolled oats, half a cup of almonds and a quarter cup dried chamomile in a blender (not to powdery since the coarse ingredients peel away all the dead skin on the face skin)
When you are ready to use it give a Tbsp of the blend into a cup and mix with 1 Tbsp rosewater or just water. Then wash your face and apply the peel with circling motions over your face. Wash down the peel with warm water and dip the skin dry. Now enjoy the wonderfully soft skin π
And here another suggestion… did you ever infuse chamomile in honey?
This is great for flu and cold teas or when children (or adults) have a sore throat. Let them suck on a spoonful of chamomile honey to sooth the membranes.
I can imagine chamomile honey to be a good wound healer too since chamomile acts as an anti inflammatory and honey as anti bacterial.
What do you think?
LikeLike
wow !!!! thankyou so much lucinda for the kindly written response and bridgette too for your beautiful ideas!! looks like i have lots to play with now π
i love your recipe for the face and body scrubs bridgette – i have been looking for a scrub that doesnt include refined sugar or olive oil for ages!!!
i will try out the hair rinse infusion tonight – even though i have dark brown hair it will be very conditioning! :))
chamomile infused in honey sounds wonderful – anything in honey does actually! especially lavender or rose!!!
thanks ladies :)))
LikeLike
Thank you Brigitte for all those ideas! π
That scrub does sound lovely, and the facial one too. I’l definitely be giving them a go!
I think chamomile honey would be great for wounds and also for seasonal allergies at this time of year. And rose and chamomile honey would be wonderful together, rose is one of my favourite things in honey and chamomile would blend so nicely with it, yum.
Hope you enjoy playing with your chamomile Holly!
xxx
LikeLike
If you like you can find more ideas where you can use chamomile instead of the other herbs under this link:
http://www.myherbcorner.com/wiki/index.php?title=Beauty
And for the sweet tooth I actually saw a recipe of melted chocolate enriched with daisies (sure this would taste interesting with chamomile too :- )
That reminds me, why not pop in chamomile into short bread dough instead of aniseed?
http://www.myherbcorner.com/blog/?p=945
This sure would be a great healthy treat for sick people (eg kids with fever or a cold)
Or instead of rosemary in this cookies
http://www.myherbcorner.com/wiki/index.php?title=Rosemary_cookies
I guess there is no limit to use chamomile in baking if you like it (eg in a biscuit dough for a light diet…)
Have fun!
LikeLike
[…] wrote a lovely post about chamomile (please click here) While I was sipping a fresh chamomile flower tea I was […]
LikeLike
When I need a relaxing tea at the end of the day I like chamomile with just a pinch of lavender buds thrown in.
LikeLike
Wow Brigitte there are so many great ideas here I don’t know where to start! You are a star, its a shame you live so far away or I would be requesting to be your apprentice π
The chamomile and lavender tea sounds great Fireweed, lavender can take over a bit can’t it, so just a pinch would be delicious.
Thanks guys x
LikeLike
[…] suggested a chamomile honey in her comment on my post on uses for dried chamomile a while ago. I’ve been hanging on for the fresh to make this as, though they can make the […]
LikeLike
Chamomile is a very strong anti-inflammatory, I use it myself, but can be quite harmful, if used on open wounds or on closed eyelids…
Anyway, it’s nice to see someone put so much effort into presenting this wonder plant…
A beautiful flower with strong natural effects on our organism.
LikeLike
I made a chamomile tincture in brandy and reduced it (watered it down) with more brandy to make it appropriate for drinking at normal brandy doses (well, one little glass). I like that.
LikeLike
Very interesting. I was looking for powdered chamomile to make,a foam in a smart cocktail recipe, but your ideas much more interesting.
LikeLike
I am very interested in how to make the chamomile tea for before bed with rose hips, oatstraw(where do you get it?), and lavender. I could really use this.
LikeLike
You can buy the dried herbs here:
http://www.cotsherb.co.uk/
I hope you enjoy the tea. π
LikeLike
I just infused camomile in olive oil for my first time. It has a horrible smell. Is that normal?
LikeLike
No that isn’t right, it should smell of chamomile. Was the chamomile wet or did any water get into your oil when you were making it?
LikeLike
After I dry the flowers…do I only use the petals or whole flower head?
LikeLike
I use the whole flower head. π
LikeLike
Thank you!!!
LikeLike
Love the information! I’ve just harvested some of my first chamomile,and although I knew it had many uses you really enlightened me. I’ll be making an infusion and trying it on my hair, face, and also drink as a tea!
LikeLike
What and excellent source of information. Thank you all!
LikeLike
Like to make chamomile honey or know how to
LikeLike
Hopefully this post should explain in more detail:
LikeLike
Loved reading this thaanks
LikeLiked by 1 person