HERB - Re: Chamomile

[Carlos R. Seda]

Chamomile is fairly well-established as a medicinal plant. This is what my
Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs (yes, I know it should be
underlined) suggests that it be used for: (in brief summary)  The oil has
anti-spasmodic (i.e. indigestion, menstrual cramps),  anti-infective, and
anti-inflammatory properties. The tea, which is what most people have, has a
very tiny percentage of the oil in it. Rodale's suggests that it is too
little oil to be useful. You can buy the oils or extract at
natural-foods-type stores.  I have personally used the tea, and my
experience has been that it will ease upset stomach, head colds, etc..,
especially if taken on a regular basis.  About the caution: The flowers have
pollen, and lots of folk are allergic. If you're allergic to ragweed, be
very hesitant. I heard a rumor it can be an abortifacient, in sufficiently
large quantity? Does anyone know?
I'm not so sure about using it for a lawn.  Here just south of Westgate, I
lose mine fairly frequently over the summer, and I treat it as a cool-season
annual. Historically the references I've seen to lawns of chamomile
reference lawns in Great Britain, which is relatively cool and moist. We get
lots of "moist" here, but also longish periods of "hot and dry". If the St..
Augustine didn't survive the chamomile probably won't.
Depending on the amount of shade you have in it, and how wed you are to the
"lawn" landscape, you might consider herb beds dotting a more
drought-tolerant grass lawn (the Xeriscape plan). I know the recommendations
for our areas are buffalo grass, zoysia, and grama grass, to name three.  A
lawn of somewhat smaller size may be the way to go.  I have a child,
multiple pets, and zoning restrictions, ergo I must have some measure of
grass lawn. If you really want an herb lawn, mother-of-thyme grows really
well for me.   Lucinda
-----Original Message-----
From: herbalist <owner-herbalist at Ansteorra.ORG>
To: herbalist-digest at Ansteorra.ORG <herbalist-digest at Ansteorra.ORG>
Date: Thursday, August 27, 1998 12:02 AM
Subject: herbalist V1 #73


>
>herbalist          Thursday, August 27 1998          Volume 01 : Number 073
>
>
>
>In this issue:
>
>    Re: HERB - Sun & heat resistant chamomile
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1998 12:40:07 -0700
>From: "sunshinegirl" <sunshinegirl at steward-net.com>
>Subject: Re: HERB - Sun & heat resistant chamomile
>
>> From: Gaylin Walli <g.walli at infoengine.com>
>> As for what you can do with the plant....well, there are a
>> bunch of different uses you might be interested in (assuming
>> you're not mildly allergic, like I am). If you're interested,
>> I'd be happy to list them, but the list is pretty long. :)
>>
>> Jasmine
>>
>>
>Yes, list them, please.
>Melandra of the Woods
>
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