German Chamomile
Let’s explore German Chamomile a bit. This is one in my garden that I have planted once and it continues to reseed itself every year. It’s a fun little surprise to see where it pops up. On occasion I have sprinkled in a few seeds in new spots I’d like it to grow, but otherwise I let it do its thing. This is also the first herb that all my girls have learned to identify. It makes my heart so incredibly happy when they come up to me with a few precious flower heads and ask to make chamomile tea.
This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. It is important that you do thorough research from multiple reliable sources before using herbs. While herbs are generally considered very safe there are exceptions. This is by no means a complete monograph of this particular herb. My intent is to peak your interest enough to begin a lifelong journey using herbs.
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Diving Deeper
Botanical Name
Matricaria chamomilla syn. M. recutita
Family
Asteraceae
Parts Used
Flower heads
Plant Properties
Bitter (mild), carminative, relaxant, antiinflammatory, antispasmodic, antiallergenic, nervine, sedative (mild), vulnerary
Energetics
Warming (slightly) and drying
Preparations Used
Internal: tincture, infusion, hydrosol
External: infused oil, salve/cream, hydrosol
Uses For Chamomile
Chamomile is one of the very first herbs I mastered growing when I was young. There’s a picture of me somewhere meticulously snipping chamomile heads for tea when I was in highschool. Because it was one of my “firsts” I have a special soft spot for it. That, along with the fact, that my children have also learned to identify it at a very young age. I love raising little herbalists.
Chamomile is a wonderfully gentle herb but with the capability to do a lot. Since it’s gentle it’s lovely to use with young children. It’s helpful in relieving colic, and in fact, it is one of the ingredients in gripe water–a gentle remedy for colicky babies.
Chamomile can also be a helpful herb to have around during pregnancy to help with morning sickness and later on, when nursing, sore nipples.
Because of its antiinflammatory properties chamomile can be a wonderful way to relieve pink eye. A cool compress soaked in chamomile tea is soothing and calming. A chamomile compress also feels wonderful for sore tired eyes.
Externally chamomile is helpful in soothing insect bites and stings and can also be beneficial for soothing eczema, and other types of sore or itchy skin conditions.
Chamomile can help ease indigestion as it helps to break down fats in the body.
A good strong cup of chamomile tea can help ease irritability, anxiousness, stress, and insomnia.
Things to Note
It is best to pick the flower heads when they first open which is when the active constituents are the strongest.
If you are allergic to any members of the Asteraceae family then chamomile may not be for you.
Put it Into Practice
Make a cup of chamomile tea
Make a strong cup of chamomile tea
Make two cups of strong chamomile tea and pour one into the bath water
Make a chamomile tincture
Try making a delicious herbal syrup from chamomile
Make a salve
Turn some strong chamomile tea into chamomile gummies for the kids
Add chamomile tea to homemade popsicles
WHERE TO PURCHASE
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If you are unable to grow your own herbs, or find ingredients locally, then here are two of my favorite places to buy bulk ingredients:
This company is where I purchase the majority of my seeds. Great selection of heirloom and/or organic seeds:
These are hands down my favorite seed starting trays and pots. These are heavy duty and don’t crumple when you pop your plants out! Definitely worth the investment in my opinion.