Chamomile

Origin: Europe, Northern Africa, and Asia

Family: Asteraceae
Subfamily: Asteroideae
Tribe: Anthemideae

Folk Names: Camomyle, chamaimelon, ground apple, roynetree.

Selected Varieties:

• German Chamomile: Matricaria chamomilla
• Roman Chamomile: Chamaemelum nobile

Magical

Arguments are presented for multiple (arguably conflicting) sets of correspondences for chamomile. Some argue it should be given solar associations, due to the bright colour and scent of the flowers, while others argue that its healing qualities suggest it should be associated with water and the moon. I have listed my personal correspondences first (which is absolutely inconsistent), with the alternate in brackets for reference.

Element: Water (fire)
Day: Sunday (Monday)
Planet: Sun, (Venus)
Zodiac: Cancer, Leo
Associated Celebrations: Litha, Ostara, (Yule)
Deities: Apollo, Balder, Cernunnos, Hypnos, Woden

Parts used: Flowers & flowering tops

Magical Properties: Balance, communication, forgiveness, friendship, love, luck, meditation, peace, prosperity, protection, purification, spirituality, success, victory

Substitutions: Lavender

Magical Uses:

• Place pressed flowers in wallet to attract money.
• Wash thresholds with infusion to keep it unwanted energies/entities.
• To keep away nightmares: chamomile tea can be drunk before bed, flowers used in a sleep sachet, or 3 drops of oil placed on a tissue in your pillowcase.

Medicinal

Medicinal Properties: Anti-inflammatory, aids digestion, relaxation, soothing

Medicinal Uses

• Anxiety, diarrhoea, heartburn.
• Can help with cold symptoms, inflamed/irritated skin.
• May have sedative effect.

Beauty Uses:

• Tones up relaxed muscles.

Warnings:

• Unsafe during pregnancy.
• Ragweed allergies.

Interactions:

• Estrogen & birth control, medications changed by the liver, tamoxifen (nolvadex), warfarin (coumadin).
• May cause additional drowsiness when taken with sedative medication.