by Gail Kavanagh

Created on: February 12, 2009

Chamomile is more than just a popular lawn herb grown in Medieval gardens, or the familiar box of herbal tea on the supermarket shelf. This unassuming, daisy-like flower has for centuries been one of the most trusted of medicinal herbs.

Anthemus Nobilis is the true chamomile, the sweetly scented flower that is grown for commercial use, and which used to carpet the Medieval lawns of Europe. Such is the goodness of this little flower, it was said, that it thrived by being walked upon - and indeed, it is an excellent ground cover, for walking on it not only releases the fragrance but actually encourages it to grow.

You can buy chamomile anywhere, but it is such a pleasure in the garden, it seems a shame not to grow it yourself. Ev3en a tiny patch of chamomile lawn soothes the senses.

To use chamomile in your own herbal preparations, gather the flowers and stalks in bunches, tie the bundles with a ribbon, and hang them upside down to dry in the old style. They will offer a double benefit this way, adding fragrance to the air and giving you a good supply of chamomile for various recipes.

Chamomile tea is a good all rounder. It helps soothe troubled digestive systems, promotes a good night's sleep, calms menstrual cramps, soothes the nerves, and can be taken by children.

There has been an enormous amount of research into chamomile, which has shown that it really does have the soothing properties attributed to it. It helps colicky babies, and has been proved effective in relieving arthritis and stress.

Chamomile oil is one of the most highly regarded medicinal plant oils. It is known as Alles Zutruat in Germany, which means ``capable of anything''. In other words, new uses are still being found for it.

Because it is such a useful oil, it is probably better to buy the essential oil, although you can infuse chamomile flower heads in carrier oil such as baby oil for cosmetic use and safflower for culinary.

Here are some simple chamomile recipes that you can make at home:

Chamomile Tea

Place two dessert spoons of dried flower heads into a china tea pot and pour hot water over them. Allow to steep for five minutes and you will be delighted by the familiar, honey sweet soothing aroma.

Chamomile Skin and Hair Rinse

Steep one cup of chamomile flowers in two cups of hot water for ten minutes, strain, bottle and cool in the fridge. This is a soothing lotion for rashes, sore eyes, dry skin and even diaper rash, applied with cotton wool or a soft cloth. Use as a conditioning hair rinse for

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