“Nothing is so strong as gentleness, and nothing is so gentle as real strength”
-Saint Francis de Sales

Matricaria recutita

The word “chamomile” comes from ancient Greece, Chamomaela, and means “ground apple”. Pliny the Elder mentions the similarity of the smell of the chamomile flower to the apple blossom, and this may be why the ancients used the term. Matricaria – root could be matri meaning mother (helpful for mothers, helpful for mothers because it’s helpful for children) or matrix, meaning womb. The Romans used chamomile to flavor drinks and in incense, as well as a medicinal herb.The Egyptians dedicated the herb to the sun and worshiped it above all other herbs for its healing properties. Hieroglyphic records also show that chamomile was used cosmetically for at least 2,000 years. Egyptian noblewomen used preparations of crushed petals on their skin.

Chamomile is called the Plant’s Physician, because planting it near sickly plants helped them get well. This is certainly true in its present-day uses with seedlings. Watering seedlings with cooled chamomile tea is great for preventing damping off and for getting rid of fungus gnats. The flowers also make a yellow or gold dye and are nice in pot pourri. Chamomile popularity grew throughout the Middle Ages when people turned to it as a remedy for numerous medical complaints including asthma, colic, fevers, inflammations, nausea, nervous complaints, Sleep problems, esp because of muscle tension or anxiety, children’s ailments, skin diseases and cancer.

A popular remedy, it may be thought of as the European counterpart of the Chinese tonic Ginseng. The botanical name of Matricaria is derived from the Latin word for womb because of its affinity for women’s conditions. It eases menstrual cramps and pain in childbirth. It is so helpful in so many healing recipes for anxiety, restlessness, digestion, and to help sweeten dreams, lessen nightmares. Can also use as a tincture or glycerite, infuse it in vinegar, make a massage oil, use it in baking, inhale or use the essential oil topically, infuse it in oil to use in skincare wow it’s so good. Chamomile simple syrup aint bad in coffee either. A strong tea before a meal can stimulate appetite after a meal can help ease bloating, gas, heartburn, and digestive spasms. But can be used for stomach problems due to anxiety, worry, painful abdominal spasms or inflammatory digestive complaints.

Chamomile, (miss)pronounced, sha-MOM-olee reminds us of the MOTHERing qualities of this plant. This tea, feels like getting a warm hug from a loved one. When I’m feeling overwhelmed, agitated, or just like a big baby, I turn to chamomile. - Cate Albers

Chamomile demonstrates to us that “gentle” does not mean weak or less effective. In fact, the gentleness of chamomile helps to soothe a number of different systems so that they can function better as a whole.

How can we look to plants like chamomile as a reminder of the power of calm? How can sweetness during times of conflict or stress become a superpower?

How can we use the experience of a metaphorical or actual “warm hug” to disrupt the cultural normalizing of conflict or violence?

How much time do you spend prioritize rest, self-nurturing, being gentle? How are these all practices of abolition?

Chamomile also helps us sleep- Abolition is not just about tearing down structures of violence but dreaming what’s next. Our ability to dream beyond what we know to address harm is critical to PIC Abolition. What can we build instead of prisons?

Meet the plants: chamomile

Meet the plants: hibiscus

Meet the plants: lavender