Today, chamomile is widely available and used in various forms, usually as a tea, essential oil, dry powder or tincture. Which type you want to buy depends on how you plan to use it. Amsterdam JD, Shults J, Soeller I, et al. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) may provide antidepressant activity in anxious, depressed humans: an exploratory study. Altern Ther Health Med. 2012 Sep-Oct;18(5):44-9. Use fresh or dried chamomile to make hot tea or sun tea! Learn how to safely make herbal sun tea with fresh herbs here. For hot tea, use about 1 tablespoon of dried chamomile per cup of hot water and allow it to steep for 5 to 8 minutes. When using fresh chamomile in tea, use two or three tablespoons per cup of water instead. I love to use this stainless steel infuser to make a single mug of tea, or this adorable loose-leaf glass teapot for tea for two. Records show that chamomile benefits have been recognized for centuries, with the herb being used both medicinally and cosmetically. Germans have used chamomile to resolve digestive issues since at least the first century, and records show that Egyptians worshipped the plant and dedicated festivals to its healing properties. Egyptian noblewomen were known to crush chamomile flowers and apply them to their skin to preserve their youthful glow and naturally slow signs of aging. Lightly press the tiny chamomile seeds into the surface of the soil, or sprinkle a very light dusting of seedling soil over them (no more than ⅛”). Otherwise, do not bury the seeds.

As a general rule, those with allergies to any plant in the daisy family may have allergies to chamomile. The Ingredients Anecdotal evidence and some research suggest that consuming chamomile may help to support the immune system. Additionally, consuming warm beverages such as chamomile tea may help to relieve some of the symptoms of the common cold, such as a sore throat. However, more research is still necessary on the exact benefits of chamomile. In 2019, some researchers concluded that chamomile’s anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, sedative, and anti-anxiety properties might help relieve anxiety and discomfort due to premenstrual syndrome (PMS). 2. Diabetes and blood sugar

Lavender: Add edible dried lavender to steep. Adjust the amount to taste. Or, sweeten the tea with a bit of lavender syrup. To make: Melt the oils, butter, beeswax, and alkanet root together in a heatproof jar. Once melted, remove from heat and let cool a few minutes. Add a few drops of essential oil, if desired. Pour into slider tins or small round half-ounce tins. If you want to make this lip balm in tubes instead of tins, decrease the oil by around 1 tablespoon. References & Further Reading Notes: Each value in the table represents the mean ± standard deviation (SD) with n = 2. Mean ± SD, followed by different superscript letters within the same column are significantly different at p≤ 0.05. Osman M., Taie H., Helmy W., Amer H. (2016). Screening for antioxidant, antifungal, and antitumor activities of aqueous extracts of chamomile ( Matricaria chamomilla) [Original Article]. Egypt. Pharm. J. 15 ( 2), 55–61. 10.4103/1687-4315.190402

Due to the high initial moisture content of fresh chamomile flowers (83.34 ± 0.7) %, they are considered highly perishable ( Rahimi et al., 2014). To increase the shelf life, the fresh chamomile flowers are subjected to drying post-harvest. Dried chamomile flowers are usually sold in whole flowers or ground into tea bags, either in pure or blended with other herbs. Besides that, the chamomile preparations are also marketed in form of infusions, decoctions as well as powder resulting from the drying of the extract. The dried extract in form of powder offers much flexibility for new therapeutic formulations as it could be used as a replacement for liquid extract and serve as a shelf-stable ingredient in new applications. The dried extract also shows greater benefits over its liquid counterpart as it has a higher concentration of bioactive compound and higher storage stability with reduced storage cost required ( Goula et al., 2004). Dried extract also allows standardization and quality control of herbal preparation to be done much easier. Mihyaoui, A, et al. (2022). Chamomile ( Matricaria chamomillaL.): A review of ethnomedicinal use, phytochemistry and pharmacological uses. Acne: Chamomile can help to treat an active acne breakout, reducing bacteria and cleansing the skin, whilst also preventing future breakouts. Its antibacterial properties make it a particularly important natural ingredient in acne-fighting skincare products. Those with acne always want to be careful when choosing skincare products and a Calming Toner is a good safe choice. Can you drink chamomile tea everyday? It’s safe to drink chamomile tea daily, but women who are pregnant or have a hormone-sensitive condition should avoid chamomile unless advised otherwise by a healthcare professional.Raja, A., et al. (2022). Prophylactic anti-osteoporotic effect of Matricaria chamomillaL. flower using steroid-induced osteoporosis in rat model and molecular modelling approaches. Simmer the water and any of the above ingredients on the stovetop for 10-15 minutes (to extract more flavor). Then add the chamomile and steep for 5 minutes.

I recommend drinking up to 4 cups per day. However, I don’t recommend exceeding 5 cups, as overconsumption can lead to vomiting and other adverse side effects. Recipe Tips and Notes They also sprout most readily in moderately warm soil, around 65-70°F. Depending on the temperature of your growing space, a seedling heat mat may come in handy. To grow chamomile in a container, choose a pot, fabric grow bag, or other container that is at least 10 inches wide and deep. 12”x12” is ideal. Most importantly, ensure the pot has a drainage hole. Fill the container with a well-draining potting soil or container soil. Place the pot in a sunny location. Chamomile grown in containers will likely need more frequent water than plants in the ground or raised beds, but still prefers moderately damp to slightly dry soil over constant moisture. Adjust the strength: For a stronger tea, adjust the ratio of chamomile flowers (or tea bags) added to the water. Or increase the steep time by 1-2 minutes (not any longer, or it may become bitter).

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Sah A, Naseef PP, Kuruniyan MS, Jain GK, Zakir F, Aggarwal G. A Comprehensive Study of Therapeutic Applications of Chamomile. Pharmaceuticals. 2022; 15(10):1284. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15101284 Making your own herbal tea blends is a great way to experiment with different flavors and get creative with your tea-drinking experience. By mixing chamomile with other herbs such as lavender, peppermint, and lemon balm, you can enjoy a unique and flavorful tea blend that is tailored to your own tastes. Enjoy experimenting and crafting your own custom tea blends for a delicious and relaxing tea-time experience. Slowly drizzle the melted oil into the combined dry ingredients while stirring with a whisk, then use your fingers to break up any remaining clumps.