Page 61 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Edible Use: I collect both flowers and leaves for me- allergenic properties. Dilute the essential oil in a car-
dicinal use, but the flowers make the best tea. The flow- rier oil to use directly on the skin or inhale it.
ers have an apple-like flavor, and the leaves have a Harvesting: It is best to harvest chamomile during
grassy flavor. You can make a nice liqueur with dried its peak blooming period. I prefer to pick chamomile in
chamomile flowers and vodka.

Medicinal Use: Chamomile is most often taken as
a tea but it may also be taken as a tincture or as a dried
encapsulated herb.

Digestive Issues: Chamomile relaxes the muscles,
including the digestive muscles. This makes it a good
treatment for abdominal pain, indigestion, gastritis
and bloating. It is also used it for Crohn’s disease and
irritable bowel syndrome.
Colic: Chamomile is known to be safe for use with ba-
bies. Adding a cup of tea to the baby’s bath at night
soothes colic and helps with sleep.
Muscle Aches: The antispasmodic action of cham-
omile relieves muscle tension. It soothes aching mus-
cles and body aches.
Insomnia: Chamomile is soothing and sedative. One German chamomile, Alvesgaspar - Own work, CC by SA 3.0
cup of chamomile tea, taken at bedtime or during the the late morning, after the dew has evaporated and be-
night, helps with sleep. If more help is needed, use a fore the real heat of the day. Select flowers that are fully
tincture. open and pinch or clip the flower head off at the top of

Eyewash, Conjunctivitis, and Pinkeye: For the stalk. Dry for future use.
eye problems, try an eyewash made by dissolving 5 to Warning: While it is uncommon, some people have
10 drops of Chamomile tincture in some boiled and an allergic reaction to chamomile. People with allergies
cooled water or by making a strong chamomile tea. to the Asteraceae family, including ragweed and chry-
This mixture relieves eyestrain and treats infections. I santhemums, should not take chamomile.
often pair it with other herbs like Yarrow and Usnea.

Asthma, Bronchitis, Whooping Cough, and Recipes: Chamomile Tea. Ingredients: 1 to 2 tea-
Congestion: Use a steam treatment for congestion. spoons of dried chamomile flowers or leaves and 1 cup
Add two teaspoons of chamomile flower petals to a pot boiling water. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the
of boiling water. Inhale the steam until the phlegm is chamomile flowers or leaves. Let the herb steep for 5
released. Or add 2 to 3 drops of Chamomile Essential to 10 minutes. Strain.
Oil to a vaporizer and use overnight.
Chamomile Liqueur: Ingredients: 1 pint (500 ml)
Allergies and Eczema: For allergic conditions, of 80 proof vodka, 1 cup chamomile flowers, 2 table-
including itchy skin and eczema, try Chamomile Es- spoons raw honey or to taste and zest of one lemon.
sential Oil. The steam distillation process alters the Combine all ingredients in a tightly covered jar and al-
chemical properties of the remedy, giving it anti- low the mixture to steep for two to four weeks. Strain.

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