Chamomile 

 As I was strolling through my winter garden thinking about which herb to write about this month, I came across my two Chamomile plants (sometimes referred to as Camomile) and decided this is the herb to let you know more about.  This year, again, I’ve planted Roman Chamomile, Anthemis nobilis and German Chamomile, Matricaria chamomilla, to see how they do in Texas.   I’ve tried the German before with little success.  But, as my fellow gardeners will understand, we keep trying.  I have heard from others that Chamomile will grow here, during our cooler weather, so direct seed the Roman Chamomile in the fall and it should flower for you in March and April. I’ll wait until spring and hopefully be delighted with some fragrant Chamomile flowers for use in tea.  We’ll see.

 Both Chamomiles have similar medicinal properties.  Chamomile tea in the evening is one of our favorite teas in my household.  One important thing to remember is to steep (infuse) Chamomile flowers for a short time (5 minutes) for the best flavor and for use as a calmative. If you steep it much longer than that, the tannins in the herb are extracted, the tea becomes more bitter, but more effectively usable as a digestive aid. Chamomile tea will help reduce nervousness and anxiety, act as digestive aid and is effective against fevers and inflammation. The volatile blue oil in Chamomile, Azulene, has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and pain-killing properties.  Chamomile essential oil, though expensive, can be used topically for wounds, painful joints and injuries.

This beautiful, apple-scented flower looks like a small daisy. The flowers are used medicinally as a tea, tincture or in a bath.  Chamomile is safely used for infants and children with colic and other digestive problems. A diluted tea of Chamomile (based on the child’s weight) can be drunk to calm the nerves as well as the stomach. Chamomile is a member of the large Asteracea family (formerly known as the Compositea family) and some people may have an allergic reaction to members of these pollen-bearing plants.  Therefore, exercise caution the first time you try a cup of Chamomile tea.  This allergic reaction is not common and is often confused with a reaction to Short Ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, or Giant ragweed, Ambrosia trifida, (which are both also in the Asteracea family), where allergic reactions are more likely to occur. Needless to say, caution is always best.

 Think of brewing up some Chamomile tea in the evening for relaxation.  Remember to recommend this sweet, safe and effective herb for use with children as a digestive and calming herb.  Beautifully dried Chamomile flowers are calming in the bath and calming to the tummy. Enjoy your Chamomile.