Plants and Flowers

Calendula or rather its flower petals have been used in medicine for at least 8 centuries. Calendula is native to Mediterranean region, but is now grown as a pot plant throughout the world. It is often called marigold, but not all of these household plants are members of the calendula family.

Calendula contains many flavonoids, which are known as plant-based antioxidants that protect the organism against free radicals. In spite of numerous studies, researchers are not sure what active ingredients in calendula are responsible for its curing properties, but this plant has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties.

As a rule, calendula has been used to treat stomach upset and ulcers, but there is no proved evidence that this plant is effective in these cases. Today in Germany doctors often prescribe topical applications of calendula. This plant helps to heal wounds (perhaps, because it increase blood flow to the affected area), and the dried petals of the plant are used to make tinctures, ointments, and washes for the healing of burns, bruises, cuts, and minor infections.

Herbs are considered the harmless way to strengthen the body and treat disease. Nevertheless, herbs can have evident side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or drugs. Herbs, as any other medications, should be taken with care, and in compliance with prescriptions and dosage.

Roman chamomile is considered usually harmless. However, Chamomile may worsen asthma, so people with this disease should not take it.
Pregnant women should not take it because of the risk of miscarriage.
People with allergy to asters, daisies, chrysanthemums, or ragweed, may also be allergic to chamomile.
Highly concentrated chamomile tea may cause vomiting.

This herb may increase the risk of bleeding if taken with anticoagulant medicines.
It can also increase the effect of demulcents and alcohol.

Roman chamomile in nature grows in Northwestern Europe and Northern Ireland, where it can grow only close to the ground and so reaches up to a foot in height. Gray-green leaves grow from the stalks, and the flowers have yellow centers with white petals. Unlike German chamomile, its leaves are thicker and the plant itself grows closer to the ground. The flowers smell like apples.

Teas, ointments, and extracts from chamomile all are all created from the white and yellow flower head. The flower head which are dried can be used in teas or capsules or crushed and steamed to make a blue oil, which has medicinal properties. This oil reduce swelling and may restrict the growth of bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

There are no known scientific reports in connection with the appropriate pediatric dose of this herb. However you should talk to your doctor before giving Roman chamomile to your child.
For the adults tea will be the best treatment: pour 1 cup of boiling water over 2 - 3 heaping tbls. of dried herb, steep for 10 - 15 minutes. Drink it three to four times a day between meals.

There are two species of chamomile: German chamomile, which is more popular, and the other, known as Roman, or English. Regardless of the fact that, they belong to different species, they are used to cure similar illnesses. Both of them have been usually used as demulcent, to treat various digestive disorders, to relieve pain, and to treat many skin disorders and mild infections.

Chamomile is a component of many face creams, drinks, hair dyes, shampoos, and various perfumes.
It may seem strange, but most researches have been conducted with German chamomile, which has similar, but not the same, active components.

Over the time Roman chamomile has been known as a perfect means to treat nausea, vomiting, heartburn and some digestive problems. It is also highly estimated for its anxiety-relieving properties. This herb may also reduce hemorrhoidal inflammation. It may also help to treat eczema and gingivitis.

Medical studies have proved that chamomile has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. It also has antispasmodic qualities.

A human being got acquainted with the bouquet of the miraculous peculiarities of the fragrant plants thousand years ago. They were first cosmetic preparations, medicine, and also drugs which people used for the creation of a certain emotional atmosphere, for example, a holiday or a meditation.

While creating a garden we recommend you to choose the plants with pleasant aromas, it will greatly enrich your garden collection.

In May a bird cherry tree will blossom and its familiar from childhood aroma will be sensed everywhere. A bird cherry tree can very often be multi – barrelled. Blossoms of a bird cherry tree are usually white, gathered in the clustering inflorescences 12 centimeters long. This plant is very unpretentious, can grow in some shadow, but however it grows much better under a bright sun and can stand over wetting. Not all the bird cherry trees can give flowers. It is a disadvantage on one hand but the absence of an aroma is a positive feature on the other hand. Such plants can be transplanted in their gardens by asthmatics.