CHAMOMILE / Belgian Chamomile / Anthemis nobilis / Belgium and France. N.B: *One of the best Remedies for Women with Nervous Upsets. Actions: Mild Tranquillizer with Anti - Inflammatory properties and also used as an Anti - Spasmodic & Stomachic. Cultivation: A herb with double flowers. Product: the Flowers are used.
Used to Treat: Allergies: Aging: Athlete's Foot: Bunions: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Diverticulitis: Fungal Infections: Gingivitis: Heart - Burn: Hives: Indigestion: Insect Bites and Stings: Insomnia: Psoriasis: Skin Conditions: Sores: Sties: Ulcers:
CHAMOMILE / Mother of the Gut / Matricaria chamomilla / German - Chamomilla recutita / Roman - Anthemis - Chamaemelum Nobilis. N.B: Do not use if you have Hay Fever as it is a member of the Ragweed Family and may trigger reactions instead, if so, stop using. N.B: Do not use more then Culinary amounts if Pregnant or Breastfeeding.
Main Use: Used to relax Physically, Mentally and improve Digestion as it reduces Spasm and Inflammation in the Digestive System and improves Liver function by its Bitter action. Ideal after dinner drink as it promotes relaxation and can be used for Children and restless Babies.
Constituents: Volatile Oil that includes Chamazulene, Courmarin, Flavone Glycosides, Isadol & Mucilage. High in Calcium Phosphate, Magnesium Phosphate & Potassium Phosphate. Rich in Azulene a Blue Oil.
Cultivation: An annual small Daisy that has a delightful fragrance, and produces bright yellow & white flowers during Summer to Autumn. The Flowers are collected when just fully opened and dry gently. Sow in the Spring or Summer and divide from Spring to Autumn. Likes Sandy Loam soils and being limed, in full Sun or semi - shade. Easy to grow and other species nearby it, thrive - 40cm high. Cosmetic: Infuse as Facial Steam and for the Hands soak to soften and whiten the Skin. Essential Oil: is made from the Leaves & Flowers. Tea: Pour 1 x Cup boiling water onto 2 x teaspoons of dried Flowers & Infuse for 10 minutes for a calming drink. Can be sweetened with Honey but do not add Milk. Tincture: 2 - 4ml 3 times a day. A herb with small cushion like flowers produced in great profusion in well - drained soil in a sunny position and propagated by seed in Spring or perennial types by cuttings or root division and weed regularly. Harvest the flowers when fully open and German Chamomile will re - flower if harvested in Summer. Dry and store in an airtight container. Product: the Flowers are used. Can also be used as a Tisane. Actions: Analgesic, Anti - Allergy (Specific) Anti - Arthritic (Specific) Anti - Inflammatory, Anti - Septic, Anti - Spasmodic (Specific) Mild Astringent, Carminative, Digestive, (Specific) Nervine (Specific) Gentle Sedative even for Babies & Vulnerary.
Used to Treat: Anxiety: Pour 1 x Cup boiling Water onto 2 x teaspoons of dried Flowers and Infuse for 10 minutes for a calming drink. Ageing: Mild Tranquilliser with Anti - Inflammatory properties. Allergic Rhinitis: by inhaling the steam from a cup of Chamomile to soothe. Allergies: by massaging the Skin area, due to its Anti - Inflammatory and Anti - Allergic properties. Athlete's Foot: as it is a Fungicidal and the Oil can be used or mix with Tea Tree Oil. Burns and Bruises: with Essential Oil. Colic: in Babies with a very mild Tea. Complexion: to brighten due to its natural Glycosides - plant sugars. Cradle Cap: 1 x Cup of Flowers taken nearly to the boil with Olive Oil, cool and strain and rub in gently then wash off with warm soapy water for Babies. Dandruff: 1 x Cup of Flowers taken nearly to the boil with Olive Oil, cool and strain and rub in gently then wash off with warm soapy water for Babies. Digestive - Upsets: by taking the Tea after meals. Dyspepsia: As a Carminative to ease pain. Ear - Ache: with Essential Oil. Eyes: wash with the Tea made from the Flowers and water and apply 1/2 an hour at a time. Wet Tea bags for Eye Pads if sore or inflamed. Eye Lids - Red - inflamed: wash with the Tea and a Plaster made from the Flowers and water and apply 1/2 an hour at a time. Flatulence: As a Carminative to ease. Gastritis: as a Mouth - Wash. Gingivitis: as a Mouth - Wash but make the Infusion stronger. Hair: in Conditions and Rinses and is especially effective combined with Rosewater. To a Tea add the Juice of a Lemon and enough Kaolin to form a paste and work through the Hair before rinsing out. To speed up dry the paste with a hair drier or sit in the Sun while it is on. Hair Conditioner: with the Tea or Essential Oil by steeping the dried Flowers in Apricot Kernel Oil. Hair - Fair Blonde: as a Rinse. Ulcers - Hard - Old: Make a Paste of the Flowers and warm water and apply for 2 hours and renew. Hay Fever: by inhaling the steam from a cup of the Chamomile to soothe the symptoms. Hives: by massaging the Skin area, due to its Anti - Inflammatory and A properties. Indigestion: used to relieve many Gastro - Intestinal complaints including Indigestion and can be combined with Peppermint in a Tea. A Tincture is much stronger as the Tea has only 10 -15% of the Carminative Essential Oil while Tincture has more if prepared with 100 Proof Alcohol. Inflammation: Mouth - Inflammation: as a Mouth - Wash but make the Infusion stronger. Insomnia: Pour 1 Cup boiling water onto 2 x teaspoons of dried Flowers and Infuse for 10 minutes for a calming drink. Itching: by massaging the Skin area, due to its Anti - Inflammatory and A properties. Menstrual - Cramps: eases. Nappy Rash: 1 x Cup of Flowers and 1 x Cup of Elder Flowers and cover with boiling Water, cool, strain and use when changing nappies. Nasal - Irritants: by Inhaling the steam from a cup of Chamomile to reduce the effect. Nasal - Catarrh: with a Steam Bath to relieve by using 1/2 x Cup of Flowers boiled in 2 litres of water and cover the Head with a towel and inhale. Nausea: to relieve. Neuralgia: with Essential Oil. Nerves - Frazzled: to soothe. Nightmares: to prevent. Pores: cleanses and tightens due to its mild Astringent properties. Relaxation: add Tea bags to the Bath to encourage. To Revive: as a Bath. Skin - Irritations: with the Blue Oil - Azulene to Sooth and Heal. Skin - Infections: As a Wash for its healing properties. Skin - Dry - Sunburned: by adding a strong Tea to Bath water to soothe. Sleeplessness: by steam inhalation to calm. Throat - Sore: as a Gargle. Tooth - Ache: with Essential Oil as a rinse. Wounds: with Essential Oil Externally as it increases healing and reduces swelling due to Inflammation. Wrinkles: by Bathing in the water to reduce.
Horses: Can be used as a broad, general Tonic herb for Horses of all ages on a routine basis. Used for Calming, Soothing & Relaxing Nervous Horses especially those prone to loose manure as a result, to improve Digestion, specific for Scouring, treatment of Osteo - Arthritis, Allergic conditions affecting the Skin & Respiratory System as well as for mild Spasmodic Colic. Dosage: for preventative Nutrition - 1 x handful of dried Flowers straight in the feed or made into a Tea and the whole lot added and double the dose for Arthritic & Scouring Horses. Colic: Can be used to soothe a Horse with Colic while waiting for the vet by syringing 100ml of the strained, cooled Tea with Rescue Remedy added - every half an hour. Skin Conditions: Can be used Externally as a Wash to soothe irritated or Itchy Skin. Swabbing: The variety German Chamomilla - recutita contains a Volatile Oil - Bisabolol in the Flower Heads from 8% - 50% while the crude Flower Heads have only 0.3 - 2%. (Bisabolol Volatile Oil is able to be a swabbed substance.) However compounds found in herbs are easily Metabolised and do not last long in the Body as do Synthetic Drug compounds. Chamomile - Anthemis nobilis: also produces the Volatile Oil when distilled but this is lost in preparation of the Extract and boiling dissipates the Oil also. To ensure the Horse is clear make a Tea, or boil the Chamomile for 5 - 10 minutes before feeding and make a Decoction of the herb. Change over 7 days before an event from feeding the Flowers, to the Extract.
CHAPPARRAL / Larrea divaricata. Used to Treat: Tooth - Decay: Vaginal Douche: combine 28gm of this herb with 28gm Golden Seal, 28gm Comfrey, 28gm Squaw Vine and 28gm Slippery Elm Powder and take 30gm of the mixture to 600ml of water, cover and simmer for 30 minutes then cool and strain. Add 14ml of Apple Cider Vinegar and use once daily for 1 - 3 days. Vaginitis: combine the dried herb mix of 25% of this herb, Golden Seal 25%, Squaw Vine 25% and Echinacea 25% and fill "00" Gelatin Capsules with the mix and take 2 Capsules 3 times a day before meals.
CHASTE TREE BERRY / Chaste Berry / Monk's Pepper / Vitex agnus - castus / Southern Europe. Main Use: Used to treat PMT and Menopausal Problems in Women. Dosage 10 - 20 drops of tincture taken first thing in the morning. Actions: a Soothing plant. Cultivation: Aromatic wayside bush that is easy to grow. Product: the dried ripe Berries are used by both Women and Men.
Used to Treat: Amenhorrhea: acts to reduce Prolactin with 20 mg a day of Tincture made from the Fruit, can be made into a compound with Greater Celandine, Black Cohosh and Pasque Flower - pulsatilla vulgaris. Breast Feeding: Menopause: Menstrual - Cramps: Premenstrual Syndrome: Small doses rebalance the Hormones and reduce symptoms of PMS, Menopausal change, infertility, post - natal depression and irregular periods. * Increases Milk production after birth.
Horses: For Mares who exhibit great Discomfort and Erratic Bitchy Behaviour when they are in Season, but who have a normal cycle pattern. Can also be used with other Hormone balances such as Poke Root or Sarsaparilla, especially if the cycle is Irregular or if the Mare comes into Season at will. A delicate balance required and really needs professional advice with a Veterinary diagnosis utilizing Ultrasound and Blood tests. Treatment is only required for one cycle if Chaste Tree Berry is going to be effective on its own.
CHERRY / Prunus - Used to Treat: Glaucoma: Gout:
CHERRY LAUREL / Prunum laurocerasus / Asia Minor and Russia. Cultivation: One of the larger members of the Laurel Family. Product: the Leaves only used. Actions: Used as a Sedative and principal agent in Cough Medicine.
CHERVILL / French Parsley / Salad Chervil / Garden Chervil / Anthriscus cerefolium / Carrot - Umbelliferae / Apiaceae.
Main Use: Has Blood cleansing properties. N.B: not to be confused with Sweet Cicely.
Cultivation: Annual herb with curly and finely cut leaves like parsley and clusters of white flowers in flat umbels at the top of the flowering stems that needs a neutral soil and generous amounts of compost fertilizer and moist conditions. Sun to part - Sun grows 30cm high x 30cm wide, best in part shade and not partial to extreme Summer heat and can be a dried herb also. The thin black seeds are similar to Caraway but longer and thinner. Height 30 - 50cm susceptible to frost. Sow seeds direct in clumps 10cm apart in Spring or Autumn and thin to the strongest seedling after germination in 10 - 14 days if the soil is not too warm. Light shade promotes lush growth. Or scatter seeds over a small tub or pot about 30cm in diameter and thin seedlings to 10cm apart. Harvest after 8 - 10 weeks with scissors from the outside as the the outside Leaves are the same as Parsley plants and they reseed easily so leave a few plants to mature. Has a long taproot and does not easily transplant. Leaves can be deep frozen in sealed plastic bags. Has a mild anise - like taste and odour and the fresh Leaves or dried are used to flavour Salads, cream cheese, cream potatoes, poultry fish and egg dishes, salads, sauces, soups. Sprays of fresh Chervil or finely chopped leaves used as garnish or sandwich fillings. Actions: Digestive Stimulant and normalizes Digestion, Diuretic & Expectorant. Products: Leaves and Stems. Leaves: gently Astringent. Can be added to Savoury dishes, both Meat & Vegetable & Salads. Chervil Soup: Melt 2 x Tablespoons of Butter in a pan. Chop 200gm of Chervil Leaves and add to the Butter and add 1 x teaspoonful of dried Tarragon and 1 x dried Chervil. Put the lid on and simmer for 15 minutes and add 1 Litre of Stock and simmer for 15 minutes and place 2 Egg Yolks in a bowl and whisk with a fork. Slowly add a Litre of the Soup then add this mixture to the remaining stock, stir and serve with a scoop of Natural Yoghurt in the centre. Flavour Partners: Chives, Parsley, Shallots & Tarragon and to get delicate flavour add just prior to serving. Food Partners: Carrots, Chicken, Eggs, Fish, Peas, Potatoes, Salmon and White Sauce. Chervil Tossed Vegetables: Lightly cook a Vegetable such as sliced Courgettes / Button Squash - or diced Marrow, drain, and add a small amount of Olive Oil and freshly chopped Chervil, squeeze Lemon juice over it and serve. To get the Lemon flavour without the bitterness add chopped fresh Lemon Balm instead of the Lemon Juice.
Used to Treat: Blood - Bruised - Clotted: by drinking *Internally the Juice or Distilled Water and placing the bruised Leaves on the effected area. Bruise or Sprain: with a hot Poultice of Chervil and mashed Potatoes. Digestion: as a Tea to improve. Facial - Wash: with the fresh Juice or an Infusion especially for blemished Skin and ingest a strong Chervil Tea at the same time to cleanse the Internal System of impurities. Fever - Perspiration: with a Tea made from the Leaves and Flowers to increase to lower the Temperature. Hiccups: by steeping the herb in Apple Cider Vinegar. Skin - Freshener: with a light Infusion.
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