Description:Chamomile is one of the oldest favourites amongst garden herbs and its reputation as a medicinal plant shows little signs of abatement. The Egyptians reverenced it for its virtues, and from their belief in its power to cure ague, dedicated it to their gods. No plant was better known to the country folk of old, it having been grown for centuries in English gardens for its use as a common domestic medicine to such an extent that the old herbals agree that 'it is but lost time and labour to describe it.'

Roman Chamomile is native to western Europe and northern Africa, but now cultivated worldwide in temperate regions. It is an aromatic perennial, growing to about twenty inches in height, producing feathery leaves and white,daisy-like flower heads, with yellow centers. The flowers are harvested as they open in summer. The main exporters are Belgium, France, Great Britain, and Italy, followed by Poland, the Czech and Slovakian Republics, North America, and Argentina.

The Egyptians dedicated the herb to the sun and worshiped it above all other herbs for its healing properties. Hieroglyphic records also show that chamomile was used cosmetically for at least 2,000 years. Egyptian noblewomen used preparations of crushed petals on their skin.

Main constituents: Coumarins, Flavonoids (up to 8%): Quercetin, rutin, apigenin, luteolin, apigetrin and apiin, Volatile oils: Alpha bisabolol (up to 50%), azulene and chamazulene, Other constituents: Amino acids, choline polysaccharide, plant and fatty acids, tannin, triterpene hydrocarbons

Properties: Tonic, achic, anodyne and antispasmodic. The official preparations are a decoction, an infusion, the extract and the oil

Uses: Chamomile tea is often served in beauty salons to relax facial muscles. The herb is valuable for pain, indigestion, acidity, bloating, nausea, vomiting, colic, and gastritis.

Safety Considerations: People allergic to ragweed or members of the Compositae family, such as chrysanthemums, should avoid this product.

Magical:

Folk Names: Ground Apple, Heermannchen (German) Chamaimelon, Camomyle.

Gender: Masculine

Planet:Sun

Powers: Money, Sleep, Love, Purification.

Uses: Used in calming and sleep incense and brews. It is also used to attract money. Has also been used to combat curses and spells.

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