Gentle chamomile

Posted by Diana van Eyk on March 11th, 2011

photo: Creative Commons, Eggybird's photostream

When I think of chamomile, I think of something gentle and soothing.  Tea made from chamomile blossoms has a mild taste and helps you to sleep.  It also helps to settle an upset stomach and, handily, is a standby at most restaurants.  It’s also known to reduce stress.

This beautiful, bushy plant with small daisy like flowers is a hardy perennial that grows well in the Kootenays.  It requires sunshine and prefers soil that is sandy and dry.

Chamomile is the national flower of Russia. The early Egyptians revered it and dedicated it to their gods for its virtues.  It is native to Europe and Asia.

Because of it’s aromatic quality, it was planted in garden walks during the middle ages.  Here’s a poem about this practise:

‘Like a camomile bed –

The more it is trodden

The more it will spread,’

The fresh plant is strongly and agreeably aromatic, with a distinct scent of apples.  Because of this, the Greeks named it ‘ground-apple’ – kamai (on the ground) and melon (an apple) – the origin of the name Chamomile. The Spanish call it ‘Manzanilla,’ which means ‘a little apple.’

Chamomile is a gentle and forgiving friend in the garden and home.