Compassionate Chamomile: Best known for its relaxing, sleep-inducing qualities, chamomile is also a great tonic for the digestive system - soothing adults and children alike. In addition, its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties make it an excellent eye remedy, an effective wash for wound and skin care and a fabulous addition to massage oil.

Excellent Antiseptic Wash - Infused Chamomile (water-based):
Chamomile is high in volatile oils, which contain antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving qualities, and have earned it the reputation as one of the best eye washes. It is also an effective remedy for diaper rash and is useful for skin care and general wound treatment.

To Make: Add one ounce (two big handfuls) of dried chamomile to a quart-size glass jar. Fill with boiling water and cap tightly. Let it steep for 30 minutes, then strain with a fine-weave cloth. Important note: Chamomile flowers disintegrate in water into little fibrous parts. Use a fine-weave cloth to extract all the fiber from the infusion before using the liquid to irrigate eyes or apply to wounds. This ensures that the fibrous parts do not cause further irritation.

Uses: Soothe and heal all kinds of eye irritations, from dry, red, irritated eyes to conditions like sties or conjunctivitis (pink eye). Irrigate eyes directly or dip a clean cloth in the infused liquid and apply as a compress. Important note: Use any chamomile compress only once. The used compress will be full of impurities, and reuse may re-infect.

Chamomile is a great remedy for diaper rash, applied directly as a wash or used in a sitz bath. Eczema and other skin conditions benefit from both external and internal use of chamomile. The infused herb also makes an effective wash for newborn navel care and general wound treatment.

Marvelous Massage Oil - Infused Oil of Chamomile:
Calming, soothing, with the ability to relieve tension and spasms, chamomile makes a wonderful oil for massage or for rubbing into aching or arthritic joints or wherever stress is being stored.

Important note: If using for infant massage, test a drop or two on a small patch of skin and check the next day for any kind of reaction before slathering the oil all over your baby.

To make with fresh herb: Fill a clean, dry glass jar almost to the top with fresh chamomile flowers. Pour in olive oil to fill the jar. Stir to allow oil to penetrate all the plant material. Cover with a paper towel and secure to the jar with a rubber band (allows the moisture inherent in the fresh plant an escape route, reducing the chance of mold or spoilage). Label jar with date and contents. Leave on a cookie sheet for about 4 weeks (some oil may leak out). During that time, check the condition of the oil often. With so much water in the fresh plant material, the oil can go rancid. When checking the oil, uncover the jar and smell for any off odor. Occasionally stir the contents - but gently. Observe the plant to see if it has begun to break down, to decompose in the oil. When you see this, strain the herb. Use the remaining oil freely.

To make with dried herb: Dried herbs require a bit of warmth - not heat, just warmth - for the plant properties to infuse the oil. Too much heat will make the oil rancid. Fill a clean, dry glass jar almost to the top with fresh chamomile flowers. Pour in olive oil to fill the jar. Stir to allow oil to penetrate all the plant material. Cap and seal firmly. Label jar with date and contents. Place on a tray or small plate (some oil may leak out). Set the jar on a windowsill for 4 - 6 weeks. Or, in an oven, set to very low heat for 2 - 4 hours. If you use a wood stove, place a brick on the stove and the jar on the brick for a couple of hours. Once the oil starts to get hot, take it off the stove and let the jar sit for a couple of days. Stir occasionally. Strain the herb and use freely.

Comforting Chamomile Teething Cloth:
Soak a washcloth in chamomile tea and freeze. Or simply dip the cloth in cold tea. Then let your baby happily gnaw.

Directions courtesy of Sally King, currently on sabbatical as the Director of RavenCroft Garden: 360-794-2938 or www.ravencroftgarden.com.

See also: Compassionate Chamomile, (Issue #16 / Summer 2007).

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