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Medicinal plant

Chamomile

Matricaria chamomilla

A relaxing, digestive evening tea. Also called German Chamomile.

What is chamomile used for?

Chamomile is traditionally used for relaxation and sleep, and for indigestion, gas, and digestive cramping. It is also used externally on irritated skin.

What can I do with chamomile?

Chamomile flowers can be used for tea or a topical compress. For a compress, let the strained tea cool, soak a clean cloth in it, and apply the cloth to irritated skin.

Similar herbs: Catnip, Lemon Balm, Anise Hyssop

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Uses
Skin — Herbs used in topical preparations, or traditionally associated with soothing and caring for the skin. Digestion — Herbs traditionally used around digestion, appetite, stomach comfort, or after-meal preparations. Sleep — Herbs commonly used in relaxing or evening preparations.
Properties

Nervine — Supports, nourishes, or calms the nervous system

Carminative — Helps relieve gas, bloating, and digestive discomfort

Antispasmodic — Helps relax cramps, spasms, or tight muscles

Energetics
Cooling — Calms heat, irritation, or excess activity. Drying — Reduces excess moisture or secretions. Relaxing — Eases tension, constriction, or spasm.
Take care People with strong allergies to the daisy/ragweed family may react to chamomile.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), historical botanical illustration

Growing and using it

How to grow chamomile

Life cycle

Annual.

Hardiness

Annual; USDA perennial hardiness does not apply.

How to start

Seed. Choose German chamomile, Matricaria chamomilla.

German Chamomile SeedsCheck your local nurseries firstBuy

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Starting from seed

Surface sow; light helps germination.

Harvesting

Pick flowers repeatedly while plants are in bloom.

Grow in zone
Start indoors — Sow under cover in trays or pots, before it is warm enough to sow outsideStart indoors: AprilDirect sow — Sow straight into the ground where the plant will growDirect sow: AprilDirect sow: MayPlant out — Move a started plant into its final spot outdoorsPlant out: MayHarvest flowers — Gather flowers in these monthsHarvest flowers: JuneHarvest flowers: JulyHarvest flowers: AugustHarvest flowers: September

Frequent picking keeps flowers coming.

Gardening tools

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Seed-starting grow lightBuyReusable 36-cell seed-starting trayBuyDeWit potting trowelBuyGrampa's gardening apronBuy
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