CHAMOMILE GLYCERITE
Chamomile is a delicate, lovely flower with a powerfully sweet fragrance. We are probably all familiar with its use as a tasty tea, perhaps taken before bedtime to soothe the nerves or to calm the stomach. Chamomile is one of the most valuable children’s herbs because it tastes pleasant and is a gentle remedy for common childhood complaints.
{CHAMOMILE PROFILE}
Chamomile flowers are used as a mild sedative, used to soothe and tone the nerves and relax the muscles of the body, easing anxiety, irritability and fussiness, and promoting restful sleep and relaxation.
Chamomile is also very useful to aid digestion or soothe stress-related stomach upsets such as loss of appetite, gas {carminative} and colic pains {and intestinal spasms from other causes} or ulcers. It can be used to stimulate the flow of bile, which is a stool-softener, when baby is adjusting to solid foods and suffering constipation.
Chamomile also has anti-inflammatory properties; its ability to sooth swollen tissues, combined with its emotionally evening effect, makes it a marvelous remedy for teething babies who are showing fussiness and pain. {You can make a strong chamomile tea, dip a clean cloth into it, and let the child chew on it. You can make chamomile popsicles for the ones who are a bit older. You can make a chamomile glycerite to put on their tongue or rub on their gums.}
Note that chamomile is in the Asteraceae family and may very rarely cause a mild allergic reaction in some individuals.
{GLYCERINE}
Glycerine, or glycerol is used as a solvent {menstruum} for make medicinal and herbal extracts; chemically speaking, it is an alcohol, which aids the absorption of alcohol-soluble constituents; but it is not alcoholic in the sense we commonly understand—something that will cause drunkenness; for food purposes, the FDA has actually classified glycerin as a carbohydrate. Glycerine is non-alcoholic in that sense, is sweet and syrupy, and leaves a warm feeling in the mouth and stomach.
A glycerite is a tincture made with a glycerine base. Glycerine is a first choice for children’s medicine or for those with alcohol sensitivities, because it is alcohol-free and palatable as well as long lasting.
Although it has a sweet taste, glycerine actually has no effect on blood glucose levels, which makes it a better option than a honey syrup, for some people. It is also a better option for infants and babies under 2 years of age, who should not be taking honey syrups.
{CHAMOMILE GLYCERITE: ‘BABY DROPS’}
There are different ways to make a glycerite. The idea is to break down the herb so that the properties are released into the glycerine. You have succeeded when the mixture becomes dark and strong smelling. Some have the herb macerating in a mixture or glycerine and water for a long period of time at room temperature. Other methods use heat extraction for a shorter period of time. The method you choose may be based on how quickly you need the remedy.
Take a clean glass jar and fill 2/3 full with fresh herbs or 1/2 full {or about an ounce per pint} for dry herbs. Cover the herb with glycerin {some recipes add water to extract a wider range of the medicine constituents, but too much water will promote spoilage}—or honey, if you prefer, but do not use with children under 2 years of age. Fill the jar, leaving 1/2-1 inch head room at the top of jar. Cover tightly with a clean lid. Place a folded washcloth {or metal lid ring} in the bottom of the saucepan or crock pot. Place your jar on top of the cloth. Fill the saucepan with water, covering the jar as much as possible, at least half way up the side. {You can process as many jars as your pot can hold.}
Bring the water to a simmer, and let the herb macerate for 2-3 hours. If you are in a hurry, boil the water for 20-40 minutes. {Keep in mind that some benefits will be lost with high heat.} Roots and barks take longer to process than delicate aerial parts like leaves, flowers and fruits.
{Other methods cook the maceration on low heat for 3 days, in a crock pot or saucepan refilled with water as necessary. The maceration is shaken 2-3 times a day.}
Strain herbs through a clean, fine cheesecloth and squeeze as hard as you can before discarding them.
Store liquid in a glass jar and label. You can dispense as needed into glass jars with droppers, for easy transporting and dosing. Glycerites have a shelf-life of 1-3 years when stored in a cool dry and dark place. If not enough glycerine is used, to preserve the medicine, it may grow mold.
Adults can take 30-40 drops 3 times daily or as needed, as a digestive aid. For use as a children’s sedative, determine dosage by diving the child’s weight by 150 lbs {weight of the average adult}; multiply this number by the adult dosage. Use just a few drops on the tongue of a baby, or paint your nipples before breast-feeding.
{DISCLAIMER}
The author is not a medical doctor, nor is she a licensed medical professional. Any recommendations are to educate for consumer health awareness and should not be considered diagnosis or prescribed treatment for any medical condition. If you are experiencing symptoms that concern you, please consult your healthcare provider.
• dried chamomile •
October 10, 2014