CHAMOMILE

Anthemis nobilis ("Roman") and Matricaria chamomilla ("German"): Compositae

PLANET: Sun (Roman): Venus (German)

ELEMENT: water

TASTE: bitter	VIPAKA: pungent
WARMTH: cooling	DOSHAS: V+ P- K-

MERIDIANS: Pericardium, Liver, Spleen, Lung, Colon

ORGANS AND TISSUES: nerves, lungs, stomach, liver, intestines, uterus, ears, nose, throat

ACTIONS: nervine, sedative, anodyne, antiseptic, antifungal, vulnerary, diaphoretic, carminative, antispasmodic, emmenagogue.

INDICATIONS: headaches, indigestion, digestive and nervous problems of children, colic, eye inflammations, jaundice, dysmenorrhoea, menorrhagea, uterine pains when nursing, nervousness, insomnia, febrile diseases including malaria, pains and spasms, irregularity of bowels, neuritis, sciatica, earache, toothache and teething, infections, thrush, low WBC counts, dry nervous cough, eczema, wounds, cystitis.

-action is generally mild, and it is one of the few herbs that is entirely safe for the youngest children.

PRECAUTIONS: large doses are emetic and may aggravate vata
-uterine stimulant, don't use in pregnancy

CONSTITUENTS: Essential Oil (see below), a bitter glycoside (ANTHEMENE), sesquiterpene lactone (NOBILIN), valerianic acid, salicylic acid derivative, phytosterol, flavonoids, coumarins, fatty acids, cyanogenic glycosides, polysaccharides, tannins

PREPARATION AND USE: creates balance and harmony in any formula
-infusion, steep 20 min covered.
-tincture for diarrhea
-in a tea with ginger for menstrual and bowel cramps, indigestion, and as a tonic
-in a tea with peppermint for indigestion and headaches caused by same
-with diuretic herbs for fluid retention
-with poppy heads in a fomentation for boils and abscesses
-inhalations for asthma and nasal conjestion
-hip baths for gynecological infections and to soothe dry irritable tissue.
-gargle for gingivitis
-ointments and liniments for muscle aches, skin problems, infections
-with eyebright for eye washes or packs
-in a compress for sciatica, arthritis, gout. A vinegar compress for sprians and bruises.
-rinse for blond hair
-a soothing bath before retiring
-for dry eyes, put teabags over eyes and imagine crying the tears of the Earth.

NUTRITIONAL USE: contains calcium, iodine, potassium; soothing to the entire gut, so improves appetite and digestion.

USE IN MAGIC: money, sleep, love, purification
-used to attract money, and the infusion is used as a handwash by gamblers
-infusion added to bath to attract love
-sleep and meditation incenses
-sprinkle around property to remove curses and spells cast against you
-planted in the herb garden for magickal and mundane protection
-used to invoke sun Gods (Anthemis Nobilis)
-included in amulets or spells, it is said to bring success to the endeavour

USE IN PERSONAL GROWTH:
-SATTVIC herb, soothing and balancing to the emotions.
-bestows inner peace and enhances meditation practices
-clarity about spiritual purpose
-called "the compassionate herb"

"Peace comes in knowing that the guidance I need is always there for the asking."

THE ESSENTIAL OIL

ACTIONS: , anodyne, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, cicatrisant, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hepatic, nervine relaxant, sedative, stomachic, tonic.

INDICATIONS: allergies, anaemia, boils, burns, colic, colitis, conjunctivitis, convulsions, depression, dermatitis, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, earache, fevers, flatulence, gastralgia, gastritis, headache, hysteria, insomnia, irritability, jaundice, menopausal problems, menorrhagia, migraine, nephritis, neuralgia, rheumatism, urinary stones, teething pains, toothache, ulcers, urticaria, vaginitis, vertigo, vomiting
-Rub a drop of the oil into the hands until warm, and place over a headache.

DOSE: 1-3 drops

USE IN MAGIC: sleep, meditation, peace

THE FLOWER ESSENCE

PATTERNS OF IMBALANCE: Easily upset, moody and irritable, unable to release emotional tension

"When we say that someone has a sunny disposition, we inherently recognise that such a soul has a harmonious emotional life. Like the sun which shines with constancy for all to see, so the soul must learn to regulate and harmonise its emotional life. Those needing Chamomile flower essence are subject to very changeable moods and ever-fluctuating emotions. Their "inner weather" is stormy and changeable until they shift their consciousness to remember that the sun is always shining serenely behind all the outer phenomena. People needing Chamomile tend to accumulate psychic tension throughout the day, particularly in the stomach region. They will often have difficulty letting go of their emotional stress at night, and thus suffer from insomnia. This is particularly true of children, whose myriad stomach complaints are often emotionally based. Chamomile helps such souls to release tension from the stomach and solar plexus areas, and to harmonise their inner solar forces for greater emotional peace and stability. It subdues the many small emotions which vex the soul life, helping to consolidate these into a more fundamental soul essence of serenity and equanimity." (1)

(1) Flower Essence information quoted from Patricia Kaminski and Richard Katz, Flower Essence Repertory, The Flower Essence Society, Nevada City, CA. ISBN 0-9631306-1-7