Camomile Blue Herbal Body Products

Camomile

Anyone who takes the time to get to know Chamomile will undoubtedly be introduced to the wonders and magic of the plant world. Chamomile, or Camomile Matricaria recutita with its small daisy-like flowers and its soothing and aromatic qualities is a straight forward plant- attractive to know and easy to understand. Camomile is a classic, must-know herb whose small little flowers attract all who care to notice. This plant has been used for centuries and its use in today's world is showing no sign of changing.

I personally appreciate the qualities Chamomile exudes in its character. Chamomile can blend beautifully with other herbs, gently supporting them, for an enjoyable tea, or can stand strong on its own.

A gentle relaxing nervine, Chamomile aids digestion, especially when related to stress, and can be used as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. Chamomile is helpful for treating simple sore throats, aids in the healing of external wounds, and is very pleasing to look at.

While Chamomile has many benefits when sipped as a tea for pure enjoyment or as part of a specific healing formula, don't underestimate the benefits of simply growing or spending time with this beautiful little herb plant.

I fondly recall my daughter at age 2 helping me to harvest the plant, one summer afternoon. It had been a busy and hectic morning and we were both more than a little fussy. We collected our baskets and headed down the hill to the garden. Britta became very excited. With her basket balancing on her head, she darted ahead of me as I called out to remind her… ”Britta don’t forget to greet the plants!”. I very quickly realized that Britta did not need reminding, or instruction. Seemingly instinctively, Britta knew how to be with this plant. Upon my arrival at the bottom of the hill she had planted herself right in the center of the patch and was talking sweetly, gently and calmly, with the open heart of a child. With very little conversation between us, we continued picking flowers for nearly a half an hour. Our moods of just a short time earlier had completely abated.

I learned a lot that morning about the calming benefits of chamomile by just spending time with the plants in the garden. It was my first lesson of the benefits of listening, really listening,with the open heart of a child. I have come to truly value the health benefits of simply spending time with the plants. Growing and learning to play with herbs is the simplest and most enjoyable way to get to know them.

You, or your children, can play in a tub of Chamomile Tea.

Chamomile Tub of Tea Chamomile Tea Baths are especially nice for calming children and adults before bedtime. While many sources recommend hanging a bag of herbs from the faucet while filling a tub with hot water, to really draw some of the benefits of the plant I find it much more effective to make a strong tea on the stove and add it to your prepared bathwater. Simply pour, for example, 4 cups of boiling water over about 1 cup of dried leaves and flowers. Use more herb if you are using the fresh plant. Cover and let steep at least 10 minutes. More is fine. (This would be very strong if you were going to drink it as a refreshing tea as chamomile has some bitter qualities but it is perfect for the tub.) Strain and add your tub tea, hot or cold, to the prepared tub of warm water. If you don’t like any plant material in the tub be sure to use a fine sieve to strain, and or perhaps some cheese cloth.

An interesting fact: The essential oils of some Chamomile varieties are blue.