Chamomile: A Medicinal Flower For Your Breast Cancer Healing Garden

When you experience stress, whether it is generated by positive or negative events, your endocrine system generates a cascade of chemicals designed to help you react quickly. In response you stop digesting, your immune system becomes less vigilant, the muscles of chest and stomach contract to restrict breathing and, well… you get the idea. In time, the over production of stress-generated chemicals, such as adrenaline and cortisol, will have a damaging effect on just about every aspect of your health.

This is where chamomile comes in. By simply adding the medicinal plant chamomile to your garden you will be able to harvest your own chamomile tea and counteract the damaging effects of stress.

Chamomile is the quintessential herb for teas. It has a pleasant, sunshine taste, it’s gentle enough for children and elders, and it has a host of benefits.

Chamomile tea drunk frequently can add peace to your body and your day.
Chamomile calms the body, particularly the nervous and digestive systems.
Chamomile is high in calcium and magnesium.
Chamomile is helpful for dealing with muscle tension, headaches, insomnia, and achiness.
Chamomile’s anti-inflammatory properties also aid in the treatment of wounds.
Chamomile tea can be made stronger for a more therapeutic tea.

Chamomile likes a sunny place in sandy soil. The “Roman” variety, Anthemis nobilis is a perennial while the “German” variety, Matricaria, is an annual. Both have similar uses but the German variety is sweeter, with an apple taste. Chamomile is hardy and can withstand some foot traffic. Learn how to grow chamomile from a teabag TUTORIAL.

The flowers are the harvestable part of the camomile plant. Harvest them in the morning, after any dew or wetness has dried away, cutting away only fully opened flowers that haven’t begun to wither or turn brown. Using scissors, snip off the flower head, leaving behind all of the stem. I find it easiest to have a bowl sitting nearby, and to cut off a number of flowers one at a time, collecting them in my hand. Then dump a handful into the bowl and begin again. Lear more HERE

If, however, you’ll be air drying the flowers, wait until a stalk is filled with blossoms; trim off any dying blooms, then cut off the stalk. Hang the stalk upside down in a cool, dry, dark location (like a closet) until the flowers are completely dry. Finally, cut the flowers off the stems.

Chamomile is extremely safe for children and babies, pregnant or nursing women, and the elderly. So the next time you feel that life is moving just a bit too fast, sit down with a cup of chamomile tea and savor the simple pleasures of this gentle, calming herb in your healing garden.

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About Dawn Bradford Lange: Co-founder of Breast Cancer Yoga. Dawn is making a difference with Breast Cancer Yoga therapeutic products designed to support you emotionally and physically during breast cancer . We want to give you the attention and personal service you need so please email us at info@breastcanceryoga.com if you have questions.