Magical Plants and Herbs: Chamomile

This daisy-like flower is actually chamomile. I photographed it in a garden of Place House Hall, in Ware, which has a 'chamomile seat'. This is really just a seat by a flowerbed of the delicately scented plant. One way to tell chamomile from similar looking white-and-yellow flowers in the Asteraceae family is the leaves, which you can see photographed on the right.

Other fragrant flowers in the garden that I spotted included rose, jasmine, honeysuckle and lavender. It was a really beautiful place to sit on a sunny afternoon. By the way, Place Hall House also serves wonderful cream teas.

Chamomile is probably best known as being one of the most popular herbal teas, or herbal infusions, available. It is supposedly good to drink to ease hay fever symptoms and help with insomnia and upset stomachs. The herb has anti-inflammatory properties and can be made into a cream to treat hemorrhoids too.

According to Rachel Patterson in A Kitchen Witches World of Magical Plants and Herbs, chamomile can be used in spells to attract money. One way of doing this is to wash all your coins in cold chamomile tea and sprinkle a little onto the notes too. It can also be used in spells connected to sleep, dreams, relaxation and bringing calm after a row. One way of doing this is to sprinkle a little of the dried herb onto a tealight candle, then as you light it make a wish for a peaceful home and sweet dreams to prevail.

Note: This is for information only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified medical herbalist before taking any herbal remedy.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.placehousehall.org/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/07/bad-witchs-brew-lavender-and-lemon-balm.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamomile
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/02/review-pagan-portals-candle-magic.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/03/easy-candle-wishing-spell.html