Chamomile is an herb in the phenol herbal category which has several important functions. As an anti-inflammatory herb, it reduces redness and irritation. It is an antioxidant herb which retards the deterioration caused by oxidation. As an antimicrobial herb, it kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria, fungi, virus, or protozoans. When used as an aquaretic, it increases the discharge of urine. As an antispasmodic, it comes against a cramps or convulsions. It can help aid in the elimination of gas. It is also a stress modifier, anti-allergic, anti-carcinogens, and anti-thrombotic. It is a vulnerary which is used in the healing or treatment of wounds.  Traditional medicinal uses of chamomile include use as an anti-inflammatory, digestion, sleep, children’s herb, and an aid to skin conditions.

German chamomile is a class 1 herb, which means it is an herb that a person can safely consume with appropriate use, per Botanical Safety Handbook. The exception would be for someone with an allergy to the Compositae family.

Personal Story

One of my first experiences with chamomile, besides drinking it as an herbal tea, was making a chamomile salve in my herbal medicine-making module. The simple process surprised me. It was fun to have my homemade salve!

How I Made Calendula and Chamomile Salve

I gathered my supplies: German chamomile, calendula, almond oil, beeswax, herb grinder, scale, glass oven-proof bowl, cooking thermometer, large strainer, washed unbleached muslin, a cooking pot, a metal spoon, measuring cups, and containers for the salve.

To make the salve, I took a half cup of almond oil and placed it into the oven-proof bowl. I ground 0.5-ounce German Chamomile and one ounce calendula in the coffee grinder. I placed the herbs in the bowl, stirred with the spoon, and placed the bowl in the toaster oven at 150 degrees, leaving the door slightly open so the temperature stayed between 100 and 140 degrees. I left the mixture in the oven for three hours, stirring it with a cooking thermometer and checking the temperature each hour.

I lined a strainer with the muslin cloth. I poured the mixture into the muslin. I let it sit to drain and then mashed it with a rubber scraper. When I didn’t see any oil dripping, I squeezed the “bag” of mixture with my hands. I measured the oil, which was about an eighth cup.

I put the oil into a pot. I grated an ounce of beeswax, added it to the oil, and mixed it. I heated this mixture on low heat until it was fully melted. I dipped a spoon in the mixture and placed it in the freezer.  A minute later I checked the consistency. I was looking for a soft salve consistency. If the salve was too firm, I add more oil. I poured the liquid salve into my containers and labeled the jars with the name and date made: “Calendula and Chamomile Salve, Date.”

I cleaned up my work space and then checked the salve. It was ready to use  it to aid in the healing and treatment of wounds.

You might want to try making a salve. Please let me know if you have any questions.

May God bless your healthful endeavors!

Joni

P.S. Please encourage others by writing in the comment section above.