is for Chamomile–
Mother Rabbit’s remedy

There are two types of chamomile, and both have a fragrant, applelike aroma. One is the low-growing Roman chamomile, a perennial ground cover. The other is German chamomile, a delicate, lacy annual that grows to over two feet and is a common herb for teas. Another related plant that grows in my yard, pineapple weed, is also low growing and very fragrant, although its flowers don’t have circular, raylike petals.

The genus name for the annual chamomile is Matricaria and is related to the Latin word mater, meaning “mother,” and matrix, “womb.” Chamomile tea is a well-known remedy amongst grandmas and other wise women to give to their loved ones for a tummy ache, and Peter Rabbit’s mama knew to give him some for his aching head. To make a mildly sedative tea for feverish children, take one teaspoon dried chamomile flowers and one teaspoon fennel seed, and steep in one pint boiling water for five minutes only—don’t make chamomile tea too strong. Strain and sweeten with a little dab of honey, and have the child take tiny sips of the warm tea every now and then. Simple chamomile tea is also renowned for relieving the pain and spasm of gas or colic, relaxing the smooth muscle of the intestine. I first learned about chamomile from my Auntie Babe sending me to the pharmacy for some for my own baby’s colic. Do not give honey to babies under one year old.

Chamomile is anti-inflammatory and useful for menstrual cramps. The plant is very popular in medicinal preparations, especially in Europe. Often spelled camomile and sometimes called ground apple, this herb was called Alles zutraut in Germany, meaning “capable of anything”—much as ginseng is considered in China. The tea makes a good hair rinse for blond hair (see page 197, “L is for Lustrous Locks,” to learn about other herbs for the hair) and is also a useful bath herb. The simple tea can be preserved with a little prepared witch hazel and used as a skin toner. You can also use the plain tea to make an eye compress—or just use two steeped, cooled tea bags, one for each eye. Chamomile essential oil is said to cause the brain to release neurochemicals of a sedative nature.

While the flowers are edible, they may cause an allergic reaction in some. If this is not a problem for you, you might try your hand at chamomile tea jelly, something I have yet to make. The plant has been used to make aperitif liqueurs, and the “little apple,” or manzanilla in Spanish, is also used to flavor sherry and chamomile-citrus wine.

A popular medieval strewing herb, chamomile makes a good garden companion that doesn’t mind getting stepped on. It has even been called the garden’s physician. You can use a mild tea to spray on vegetable seedlings to prevent damping off, a very disappointing phenomenon (see Glossary).

Chamomile is easy to grow and is a very pretty background plant. There are even double-flower cultivars. It is safe to grow around children, and they can even grow some in their own Peter Rabbit garden, along with lettuce, carrots, and peas. How sweet!