CHAMOMILE. Anthemis nobilis. N.O. Compositae.
Synonym : Double Chamomile, Roman Chamomile.
Habitat : Gravelly heaths. Indigenous to Britain, and cultivated in Belgium, Germany and France.
Features : The creeping stem throws up short, leafy, flowering branches. The leaves are pinnately divided into short, hairy leaflets. Yellow centred, with a fringe of white petals, the flowers grow singly on leafless flower stalks ; the familiar double flowers are produced under cultivation. The taste is very bitter, and, in view of the resemblance which the strong, aromatic smell has to that of the apple, it is interesting to note that the name "Chamomile" is derived from the Greek, meaning "ground apple." Part used : Flowers and herb, but the flowers are the more commonly used part.
Action : Stomachic, anti-spasmodic and tonic.
The famous "chamomile tea" is taken for nervous and bilious headache, as an aid to digestion, and for hysterical tendencies in women. The dose is up to 4 tablespoonfuls of the infusion of 1 ounce to 1 pint of water. Externally, the flower-heads make a first-rate poultice and fomentation for bruises and deep-seated inflammation, and are also used as a lotion for toothache, earache and neuralgia. In the pulverized form they may be made up with Soapwort into a shampoo, especially for fair hair.
Stellaria media. N.O. Caryophyllaccce.
Synonym : Starwecd, Star Chickweed. HabiMt : Waste places, roadsides.
Features : Stem weak, straggling, freely branched ; line of white hairs along one side only, changing direction at each pair of leaves. Leaves small, ovate, sessile above, flat stalks lower. Flowers white, very small, petals deeply cleft, singly on axils of upper leaves. Taste slightly salty.
Part used : Herb.
Action : Demulcent, emollient, pectoral.
Inflammation of the respiratory organs and internal membranes generally. One ounce of herb in 1 pints of water simmered down to 1 pint. Dose, wineglassful every two or three hours. Used externally as a poultice for inflamed surfaces, boils, burns and skin eruptions.
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