Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) is an herbaceous plant from the Compositae family. Known as "noble chamomile", it has enchanting daisy-like colors with white petals and deep yellow centers, from which a wonderful essential oil with powerful healing properties is extracted. The sweet, warm, fresh, fruity and herbaceous aroma of Roman chamomile is often associated with that of apples, hence the Greek name chamaimēlon (English chamomile), which means "earth apple".
The use of Roman chamomile was documented by the ancient Egyptians. They viewed the Roman chamomile as a divine flower and a symbol of the sun, which embodied the power and energy of the god Ra, who was able to awaken this mighty divine power and help man in sickness and misery. Roman chamomile oil was used in the embalming of Pharaoh Ramses.
Information about the use of Roman chamomile for medicinal purposes is also found in ancient Rome and Greece when its properties were written down by prominent representatives of the period such as Hippocrates, Galen, Asklepios, and Avicenna in his work "The Canon of Medicine". A description of the Roman chamomile can also be found in the basic work of the Roman scholar Pliny the Elder, "Natural History".
The Romans used Roman chamomile to flavor drinks, as well as a medicinal herb to fight various diseases. In ancient Greece and Rome, women bleached their hair using kali with a powder made from dried yellow flowers of Roman chamomile.
Ancient Tibetan healers considered Roman chamomile a "magical" plant of youth and created elixirs that clarified the complexion and promoted health and longevity.
Doctors across Europe and in the early settlements of America included Roman chamomile in their healing pouches as it treated pain, inflammation, allergies and digestive problems naturally and with no side effects. In "Back to Eden", Jethro Kloss advises everyone "to collect a bag of chamomile flowers, as they are useful for many diseases". The plant can also be used as a natural deodorant, shampoo and perfume.
Interestingly, the healing properties of Roman chamomile don't just apply to humans. If the plant dries up and cannot bloom, planting Roman chamomile nearby could improve the health of sick plants.
The plant with the divine aroma is known as an herb for cleansing and protection against psychological or magical attacks and can be used in inhalations for sleeping and meditation. Roman chamomile helps us to communicate with angelic creatures in meditations and visualizations and helps the seeker in the astral field, where it protects us from demonic beings.
In a number of folk magic traditions, particularly in the southern United States, the Roman chamomile is known as the lucky flower, from which a wreath was tied around the hair to attract a lover or to carry in a bag for general happiness. It is not for nothing that the herb is called "magic grass".
The flowers of the Roman chamomile have always been used as a natural dye that not only gives the hair a pleasant golden hue, but also makes it strong and shiny.
