Herbs in Witchcraft - Chamomile

Chamomile is a common ingredient in calming teas, but it's also got powerful metaphysical properties to raise your vibration and boost your spells.

Chamomile is a sweet little white flower with a grassy aroma that's most commonly used in teas for relaxation and sleep. A fairly common plant, it is often found in home gardens and grows in easily in temperate regions. But this herb does so much more than just help you sleep. Let's explore how you can use chamomile for healing and magical purposes.

Healing Properties of Chamomile

Chamomile is best known for its calming properties and has been used to ease tension and stress as well as emotional upset and insomnia. This herb is gentle enough to be used for children and can also be called upon to soothe your inner child when it's feeling cranky.

These fragrant flower also contain important nutrients like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and B vitamins.They provide nourishment to the nervous system and can be used to help relieve muscle spasms and tightness. It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties, so can be a gentle way to help ease pain. From headaches, to ear aches to other common complaints, chamomile can ease and calm anyone of any age.

This herb can also help improve digestion and is particularly calming for stomach issues associated with nervousness or anxiety. It can also be used in a wash or compress to help with itchy eyes, wounds, burns, and rashes.

Chamomile essential oil

In addition to infusions, chamomile's healing properties can also be accessed through essential oil. It's calming properties can be used to calm skin irritations from allergies or sensitive skin. It can also be used to calm itch from things like rash, chicken pox, or eczema. It can also be used as a gentl antiseptic for scratches and cuts.

Take advantage of its pain relieving properties by adding it to a massage oil for arthritis. Or add it to a bath oil to soothe tense muscles and aid in sleep.

Please note that even an herb as mild as chamomile may have adverse affects for some people or in some circumstances. When in doubt, always consult a professional.

Magical & Spiritual Properties of Chamomile

The pretty white flowers that spread across fields are a symbol of abundance, making chamomile a powerful ingredient in money drawing spells. And of course, you can also use it to call in peace, calm, and restful sleep. Here are some of the commonly held correspondences of this herb:

• Sabbat - Litha
• Planet - Sun
• Element - water
• Zodiac - Leo
• Deities - Cernunnos, Ra, sun gods
• Magical properties - regeneration, healing, protection, peace, money, luck

Witchcraft Uses

As always you are only limited by your imagination when using chamomile in your witchcraft. Whether you're working with fresh or dried flowers, the whole plant, or the essential oil, the possibilities are limitless. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

• Craft a salve or infused oil with chamomile to apply its peaceful energy directly to your body.
• Plant chamomile along the path to your front door to draw good luck and prosperity to your house.
• Weave a flower crown for Midsummer to honor the sun.
• Add dried flowers to charm bags or spell jars.
• Create a sweet dreams tea blend with other calming herbs.
• Add the essential oil to a stress-relieving bath spell.

Recipes for the Kitchen Witch

Chamomile is not an ingredient I've experimented with much in cooking. Other than tea, I tend to use it more for aromatherapy and spellwork than consumption. I've got some recipes and home remedy ideas to get you started though. What's your favorite way to work with chamomile in your kitchen?

• Chamomile Green Tea
• Relax & Calm Essential Oil Room Spray
• Chamomile Cupcakes with Honey Buttercream from A Classic Twist
• Chamomile Honey Pancakes from Bee Seasonal
• Throat Soothing Chamomile Ginger Popsicles with Lemon & Honey from Port and Fin
• Chamomile Lemon Poppy Seed Breakfast Bread from Plating Pixels
• Chamomile Flower Berry Moon Milk from My Tiny Laguna Kitchen

I hope this inspires you to incorporate more chamomile into your witchcraft practice. These delicate little flowers pack a major magical punch. Let me know in the comments below how you plan to use this herb in your magical workings.

Sources:

• Herbal Academy
• Neal's Yard Remedies Essential Oils
• The Hearth Witch's Compendium by Anna Franklin