A to Z of French Herbs - Chamomile

Peter Rabbit whose mother used to settle him down with chamomile tea.

Peter Rabbit is a fictional character created by British author and illustrator Beatrix Potter. He is the protagonist of the classic children's book "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" which was first published in 1902.

He’s a mischievous young rabbit who frequently disobeys his mother and gets into trouble. In the story, he sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden to eat vegetables but ends up being chased by the angry farmer. The book has become a beloved classic and has been adapted into various forms, including animated films and television shows.

Peter Rabbit’s mother used the chamomile in the fairytale, sending the mischievous young bunny to bed with a cup of chamomile tea when he returns home after narrowly escaping from Mr. McGregor’s garden.

Chamomile as it’s spelled in the US or camomile in the UK or Camomille in French, the name is derived from French and Latin language.

Chamomile lawn

Chamomile is a flowering plant that belongs to the daisy family. The plant has small white flowers with yellow centers, and it's known for its distinctive scent and taste. Chamomile has a long history of medicinal use, but it's also used in cooking in many parts of the world.

There is two common species of Chamomile one is often called German Chamomile or Water of Youth and the other is Roman, English or garden chamomile. The later is often used to create a chamomile lawn.

A chamomile lawn is a type of lawn made up of chamomile plants instead of grass. The lawn is created by planting chamomile plugs or seeds in a prepared area of soil, which is then regularly watered and maintained. One such lawn was feature in Mary Wesley’s 1984 novel, funnily enough called The Camomile Lawn which feature a house in Cornwall UK with a lawn planted with chamomile rather than grass.

The Roman species is native to the regions of the Atlantic coast of Europe (Portugal, Spain, France, United Kingdom, Ireland) and North Africa (Morocco, Algeria). But is not indigenous in Italy contrary to what the name "Roman" might suggest.

Chamomile plants

Chamomile lawns are popular in some parts of Europe, particularly in the UK, where they have been used for centuries. The chamomile plants release a pleasant fragrance when walked upon, and the lawn can be used as a relaxing area for outdoor activities or as a decorative feature in a garden.

Chamomile lawns are also known for their low maintenance requirements, as the plants do not need to be mowed like traditional grass lawns. However, they do require regular watering and can be sensitive to foot traffic and extreme weather conditions.

Chamomile is native to Europe and Asia, and it has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal properties. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all used chamomile as a natural remedy for various ailments. The plant was also used in rituals, such as in ancient Greece, where it was used in rituals dedicated to the god Apollo.

In France, it can be found in the west and more particularly in Anjou, which produces more than 90% of Frances production. It grows in sandy lawns, on the banks of ponds in almost all of France except in the East where it is rare and pretty much absent, in places like the Southeast and the Mediterranean coast of France.

Nicholas Culpeper

Chamomile is a popular ingredient in herbal teas. The flower heads of the plant are separated from the stems for this herbal tea. Chamomile tea is known for its calming properties, and it's often used as a natural remedy for anxiety and insomnia. The tea is also known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it a popular choice for those looking for natural remedies for various health problems.

The use of chamomile in French cuisine dates back to the 16th century. English botanist Nicholas Culpeper wrote about the herb's use in treating digestive problems, and it was also used to flavor foods and drinks.

Nicholas Culpeper (1616 – 1654) was an English herbalist, physician, and astrologer who is best known for his influential book, "The English Physician Enlarged," which was first published in 1652. Culpeper's book was a revolutionary work at the time, as it made information about herbal remedies and medicinal plants accessible to the common people in their own language, rather than relying on the Latin texts that were only accessible to the wealthy and educated.

Chamomile flowers and essential oils

Culpeper was a controversial figure in his time, as he challenged the established medical practices of his day and often clashed with the medical establishment. He believed that medicine should be available to all, regardless of their social status or wealth, and he advocated for the use of herbal remedies and simple, natural cures. Culpeper's book remains a valuable resource for herbalists and natural healers, and it is still in print today.

Because of this writing Chamomile became especially popular in desserts, and it was used to flavor cakes, cookies, and other sweet treats.

Today, chamomile is still used in French cuisine, although its use is somewhat limited. The herb is often used in tea, and it's also used to flavor desserts, such as sorbets, ice cream, and cakes. Chamomile is also used in savory dishes, such as soups, stews, and sauces.

Historically throughout Europe Chamomile has been used in the making of beer and ale. Unlike with the tea though in which only the flowers are used for beer and ale the whole plant is used adding a bitter flavour.

Facecream

In addition to its use in cooking, chamomile is also used in beauty products. The herb is known for its calming and soothing properties, and it's often used in skincare products to soothe irritated skin. In beauty care, it is often present in lotions, creams, and shampoos (especially for blond hair). It is also traditionally used as a natural hair dye to offer a blonde shade.

Chamomile is used in many pharmaceutical preparations. It’s used therapeutically. Of course, we often hear of its use as a herbal tea for relaxing oneself. It is said that Chamomile, known as an ally of women and was previously used to cause menstruation and expel the placenta during childbirth.

En fait Chamomile has been used as an herbal remedy since the time of Hippocrates, the father of medicine, in 500 BC. The list of conditions for which it's been used is extensive. It includes fever, headaches, kidney, liver, and bladder problems, digestive upset, muscle spasms, anxiety, insomnia, skin irritations, bruises, gout, ulcers, rheumatic pain, hay fever, inflammation, hemorrhoids, and colic.

This was the topic on Fabulously Delicious: The French Food Podcast and you can listen to the full episode via Spotify or Apple Podcasts on the links below or wherever you listen to podcasts.