Chamomile is safe for young children

Chamomile (sometimes spelt the way it sounds: Camomile), is also called Roman chamomile to distinguish it from the unrelated German chamomile. Other names by which it is known include lawn chamomile, garden chamomile, ground apple, low chamomile and whig plant. The correct latin name is Chamaemelum nobile, but you may find it with the label Anthemis nobilis. It is a hardy perennial.

Unlike most herbs, the double-flowered variety of chamomile is the one preferred, although the single flowered variety will do if you can’t get the other one. The single flowered is much stronger, so you may wish to adjust the quantities given here, if you are growing that one.

A single chamomile plant in full sun will reach a height of about 6 inches (15cm) and a spread of a foot (30cm), but nobody ever grows chamomile as single plants. In fact, it’s not unknown for a gardener to make a whole lawn using chamomile instead of grass. I think you need a fairly masochistic streak to go for this, though, as chamomile needs a great deal of tending to be a reliable lawn, and you can’t use lawn weed killers (if that’s something you would consider), as they will kill the chamomile along with the weeds. However, it is possible to make a comfortable and fragrant seat using chamomile, which is much easier to manage.

You may have seen chamomile tea on sale, which is often recommended as a nightcap and to soothe the nerves, sometimes sweetened with honey. This can be used in the same ways as the remedies given here, although it is weaker.

Chamomile is one of the remedies considered to be safe for young children, although as with all medicines, prolonged use is not advised.

Make a standard infusion using 1 tablespoonful of chopped herb or a couple of teaspoonfuls of the dried herb to 250ml (1 US cup, 8 fl oz) of boiling water. Allow to stand for half an hour, then strain before use. The dose for children is a teaspoonful when required, no more than 2 teaspoonfuls an hour. This can be used to treat colic, flatulence and indigestion.

A stronger infusion, made using an ounce of dried herb or 3 handfuls of fresh to a cup of boiling water, allowed to infuse for from 30 minutes to 4 hours, can be used to treat ulcers, expel parasites and as a general tonic. This stronger infusion can also be used to clean open sores and wounds, as a face wash to clarify the complexion, and as a hair rinse to lighten hair.

You can also make a rubbing oil by adding an ounce (30g) of the flowers to 2 cups (¾ UK pint) of light olive oil. Leave it for at least 24 hours (up to 3 weeks, shaking it every 24 hours) in the sun, then strain and discard the herb. This can be used to treat painful joints, swellings and callouses.

As you will no doubt know, herbs and plants grown for use in herbal medicine must be grown organically to prevent their properties being reduced or eliminated entirely by the presence of foreign chemicals. To find out more about growing organic chamomile visit the Gardenzone.

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