Field Notes:
Chamomile 🌼🌼🌼
An ode to the star of the medicine garden,
now coming into full bloom, a delight to look upon in the the garden with it’s cheerful baby blooms & long beholding so many virtues… It’s much more than just a sleepytime tea. From digestive support to calming tension within our nervous system, cooling inflammation internally & externally, and providing wonderful support for menses, Chamomile provides.
~~~
Singing cheerful songs to the sun
such a delight to sip upon
your sweet fragrance calms my senses
with moonkissed reverence
I drift
everso peacefully
dreaming amongst the dewy earth.
Digestive System
As a bitter carminative, Chamomile cools heat in the gastrointestinal tract, relieving indigestion, heartburn. Helps to relieve nausea and stomach pains, irregular bowels, nervousness & leaky gut.
Chamomiles' actions upon the digestive & nervous system work hand in hand. When we soothe our gut, we soothe our nerves and vise versa.
Nervous System
Calms tension, heat, irritability & restlessness within our nervous system. A wonderful remedy for sleep, especially paired with Passionflower & Skullcap (like Moondance) Specific for children of all ages, fussy babies or child-like adults that whine & complain or are quick to anger.
Female Reproductive System
Calms inflammation to help soothe cramps but moreso, working as a bitter carminative, Chamomile relieves digestive discomfort like bloating & gas associated with menstruation. It's actions on the nervous system relax the nerves & tension, all together making a wonderful ally for women during menstruation.
Topical Uses
With it's antimicrobial & antifungal properties, Chamomile can provide temporary relief by soothing symptomatic inflammation like psoriasis, eczema, rosacea & joint pain. A teped Chamomile compress or wash can ease irritants or ailments of the eyes. Orally, it's used to help with infections, gum inflammation & canker sores.
Favorite Preparations ~~~
A traditional herbal water infusion.
Add 2-4 heaping tablespoons of dried or a handful of fresh Chamomile to a jar & pour over just boiled water, cover & steep 10 minutes, strain, add a spoonful of honey & enjoy. *The longer the steep the more bitter the flavor but we don’t need a super long infusion for the benefits so 10 minutes is the perfect amount of time.*
This can be most helpful for...
Tending our digestive system.
Calming our nervous system.
As a topical compress or wash, once cooled.
Tincture
Take 2-4 droppers full 3x/day or as needed.
Herbal Tea Bath
Prepare a water infusion, let steep 10 minutes, strain into a drawn bath. Wonderful during menstruation along with lavender or to calm other skin irritations.
