History and Folklore

• The word Chamomile comes from the Greek meaning “ground apple”, probably because of its apple-like fragrance.
• The Romans used Chamomile for incense. Roman Chamomile gained its name, not from ancient Rome, but because a 19th century plant collector found some growing on the ruins of the coliseum in Rome.
• Chamomile was used in ancient Egypt for fevers and was dedicated to their Sun God Ra.
• To the Anglo Saxons, it was one of the nine herbs charm.

Magical Attributes

• Chamomile is associated with the sun, (Sometimes the Moon, occasionally Venus, rarely Mercury)  Leo and the element of water. It helps cleanse and invigorate the throat chakra (5th). It is associated with various Sun Gods, including Ra, Cernunnos, Lugh and others.
• It is used in spells for money, peace, love, tranquility, and purification.
• An infusion used to wash thresholds (doors and windows) will help keep unwanted energies or entities from passing through. Sprinkle powdered chamomile flowers around your self or home to remove spells cast against you and to prevent fires and lightning strikes. You may also use herbal water if you prefer.
• Use it in a ritual bath before performing spells for any of these purposes. Just a simple chamomile bath while visualizing will increase your attractiveness to the opposite sex. Also, use it in a bath as part of a spell to release a loved one, or to release feelings of pain, loss or anger.
• Washing your hands in chamomile water before gambling will increase your luck.
• Add to sachets for luck or money. Or place pressed chamomile flowers in your wallet to attract money to it.
• Use in meditation incense.

Household Use

• Chamomile added to the bath is very relaxing. It is especially good for fretful babies.
• Chamomile tea is an excellent rinse for brightening blonde hair.
• The dried flowers are excellent in potpourri.
• Infuse chamomile flowers in milk for a soothing skin cleanser that both fights acne and moisturizes. Use within one week.
• Chamomile planted near sick or delicate plants will help them return to or maintain their health.
• Water young plants with chamomile tea to prevent “damping off”.

Healing Attributes

• German chamomile is most often used in healing in the US, but Roman chamomile works as well.
• It relaxes the body and mind and promotes a good night’s sleep. It’s safe enough to use for children. Also for teething stress and colic. Scientific studies have shown that it acts like leading anti-anxiety medications, check with your doctor if you plan to use it this way. For nerves and insomnia, drink warm at bedtime. It can be mixed with warm milk and honey.
• It is also a gentle muscle relaxant, anti-spasmodic, and anti-inflammatory. It can be used, especially in combination with similar herbs, to soothe problems associated with muscle cramps and spasms. Especially useful for menstrual cramps. Drink two or three cups of tea per day.
• It aids in digestion and soothes gastric complaints and colitis including irritable bowel problems. It also safely relieves morning sickness and restlessness that comes with pregnancy. For stomach problems, including gastritis, colitis and morning sickness, drink a cup of tea on an empty stomach first thing in the morning hot or cold.
• When used topically, it speeds the healing of cuts, scrapes, blisters and burns. It is also helpful for rashes, eczema and other skin inflammation. Add it to a salve, rinse the affected area with chamomile tea, or add a few drops of essential oil to bathwater.
• Do not use ointments for burns, use compresses or light lotions instead. Oils hold in body heat and don’t let the burns heal.
• A chamomile tea bag makes a good compress. Chill or use warm.
• Eye inflammations can be treated by placing a cool compress soaked in chamomile tea over the eyes.
• Chamomile mouthwash helps keep gums healthy and soothes mouth inflammations.
• Chamomile Tea- 2 teaspoons German Chamomile flowers to 1 mug of boiling water. Cover and steep five minutes.
• Chamomile may cause allergic reactions in those allergic to ragweed.
• Chamomile should not be used by people who are already using blood thinners because some constituents may have anticoagulant action.

Culinary Use

• Roman chamomile is most often used in cooking.
• The fresh leaves are good mixed with butter or sour cream for potatoes.
• In Spain, it is used to flavor Mantazilla, a light sherry.
• Chamomile flowers were used in Anglo Saxon Europe for making beer until they started using hops.

Sourced from https://witchipedia.com/book-of-shadows/herblore/chamomile/

Used in Europe for skin regeneration. For centuries, mothers have used chamomile to calm crying children, combat digestive and liver ailments, and relieve toothaches.

Medical Properties: Relaxant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antibacterial, anesthetic

Uses: Relieves restlessness, anxiety, ADHD, depression, insomnia, skin conditions (acne, dermatitis, eczema)

Fragrant Influence: Because it is calming and relaxing, it can combat depression, insomnia, and stress. It minimizes anxiety, irritability, and nervousness. it may also dispel anger, stabilize emotions, and help to release emotions that are linked to the past.

Excerpted from The Essential Oils Desk Reference, 7th Edition, page 125

Listed in Dioscorides’ De Materia Medica (AD 78), Europes first authoritative guide to medicines, which became the standard reference work for herbal treatments for over 1,700 years.

Medical Properties: Powerful antioxidant, inhibits lipid peroxidation, antitumoral, anti-inflammatory, relaxant, anesthetic; promotes digestion, liver, and gallbladder health.

Uses: Hepatitis/fatty liver, arteriosclerosis, insomnia, nervous tension, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, skin problems such as acne, eczema, scar tissue

Fragrant Influence: Dispels anger, stabilizes emotions, and helps release emotions linked to the past. Soothes and clears the mind.

Excerpted from The Essential Oils Desk Reference, 7th Edition, page 94

Notes: Many oils go by the name “chamomile” because of their high chamazulene content, but the only two true chamomile oils are German and Roman. Other oils are not true chamomile oils, though they do share the deep blue color. While the oil is generally recognized as a sedative, it actually is ideally used for its anti allergic properties that help to relieve anaphylaxis and hay fever reactions, eczema, and allergic asthma. Another little known benefit of chamomile oil is the action against Staphlococcus aureus. Yet another surprising benefit of the oil lies in the ability to hydrate the skin so quickly and effectively. For ideal results, combine with orange and mandarin oils and dilute in a cream at 5% solution.

Excerpted from Understanding Holistic Health, page 145