Chamomile – This tender but potent herb is known as “the gardener’s physician” as she has the power to heal and enhance the growth of the plants that she grows around. The word Chamomile comes from the Greek word for “ground apple”, probably because of its apple-like fragrance. Mildly bitter, it’s can be used as a great remedy for digestive disorders, cleansing the liver/gallbladder, for bodily and mental tension, skin inflammations, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, urinary infections, painful period and respiratory allergies. For centuries, people who’ve felt sick or stressed out have been drinking chamomile tea as a medicinal all-rounder cure. In ancient Egypt chamomile was used for treating fever and was dedicated to the glory of their Sun God Ra.
Chamomile is associated with the sun, (Sometimes the Moon, occasionally Venus, rarely Mercury), her element is water. Water herbs are a remedy for with emotions, dreams and tend to have gentle cleansing properties, such as the ones of the chamomile herb. Chamomile helps cleanse and invigorate the throat chakra (5th). Here is how you can use it in everyday life: A handful of dried or fresh chamomile added to the bath water can be very relaxing. Chamomile tea is an excellent rinse for brightening blonde hair. Infuse chamomile flowers in milk to use as a soothing skin cleanser that both fights acne and moisturizes the skin. Use within one week. Chamomile planted near sick or delicate plants will help them return to or maintain their healthy growth. Water young plants with chamomile tea to prevent “damping off”. My grandma says: “Chamomile acts like she understands what you say to her – our grandma was teaching us that it is very important that before we pluck chamomile we should always tell her why we do that! I remember she was making us chamomile tea whenever we would have mild fever, upset stomach or couldn’t get to sleep.”
Harvesting chamomile is a continuous activity, since chamomile flowers will bloom all summer long, especially if picked regularly. So, get ready to harvest chamomile blossoms all summer! Good thing, it’s easy to do. The best time of the day to pluck chamomile, or any other herb, is in the morning after any dew has dried and before the midday sun has started to beat down on the blossoms. When picking the flowers, use your fingers as a comb to pluck just the flower head. Then simply pluck the flower head off the stem while using your other hand to hold the stem of the plant. You can make chamomile tea from dried or fresh chamomile: Dried Chamomile: use 2-3 teaspoons of dried chamomile per 1 cup of boiling water. Let it infuse for 2-5 minutes. Fresh Chamomile: use 6-8 teaspoons of fresh chamomile per 1 cup of boiling water. Let it infuse for 2-5 minutes. Next time you make yourself a nice, soothing cup of chamomile tea, also prepare one for that plant in your garden that always seems to struggle to grow healthy .
Do you ever drink chamomile tea?
Do you use it for a specific purpose or do you just enjoy it?
If so, have you ever tried growing and harvesting your own chamomile?
Love you all, The Witch from Eastern Europe 
