“Colic was relieved by taking broth made of dulse, and for stitches the Skye-men, if bleeding was ineffectual, applied an ointment composed of camomile, or brandy and fresh butter, or a poultice of raw scurvy-grass chopped fine. It was cured in Jura by a vapour-bath formed of the fumes of ladywrack and redfog boiled in water, the patient sitting upon the vessel which contained the herbs.”

Alexander Mackenzie, The Celtic Magazine Vol. IX, 1884

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Cover art by Alberto Valenzuela

Chamomile, or Chamaemelum nobile and Matricaria recutita are also called garden chamomile, ground apple, low chamomile, mother’s daisy, Roman chamomile, German chamomile and whig plant. It’s called camomhil or caman meall in Gaeilge and camomhail or cam-bhuidhein in Scots Gaelic. The botanical name Chamaemelum as well as common name chamomile are Greek meaning ‘earth apple’ or ‘ground apple’ which according to Pliny was because of the scent of chamomile being reminiscent of apples. Nobile is Latin regarding the plant’s therapeutic properties. All aspects of working with chamomile, I’ve found to be all encompassingly relaxing. Whether I’m sitting next to it, picking it or smelling it, it’s always an enjoyable and mellow experience. 

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