German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is the most used plant in Amish medicine. Grows like a weed, heals like a pharmacy.
Sleep Tea
1–2 teaspoons dried flowers per cup of boiling water. Steep 5–10 minutes. Drink 30 minutes before bed. Apigenin in chamomile binds to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain — mild sedative effect without addiction.
Digestion
Same tea for bloating, cramps, indigestion. Chamomile relaxes smooth intestinal muscles. Amish mothers give chamomile tea to children for colic.
Eye Wash
Strong chamomile tea (cooled) — wash inflamed eyes with a cotton pad. Anti-inflammatory action. For conjunctivitis — as a supplement to treatment.
Bath
A handful of chamomile steeped in a liter of boiling water, poured into a bath. For skin irritation, diaper rash, general relaxation.
Harvesting
Pick when flowers are fully open, in dry weather. Dry in shade on paper. Store in glass jars. Shelf life — up to 2 years.