Chamomile

Name:
*German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)


Description:
*German Chamomile is an annual
*Roman Chamomile is a perennial but has weaker medicinal potency
*Both are best in zones 4-9

Parts Used:
*flowers are preferable, also leaves, both fresh or dried

Position:
*full sun to partial shade
*well drained soil

Propagation:
*Very easy to grow from seed. You can either sow directly in the garden or transplant from indoor seed trays after final frost in spring

*NOTE: I have tried to grow chamomile for two years now, and despite everything that I read saying that chamomile is easy going and easy to grow, all of my chamomile plants have died before giving me a harvest. Does anyone else have this problem? I have tried more water, less water, more sun, less sun, better soil, worse soil, pots AND direct planting. All failures...

Maintenance:
*do not grow indoors because it gets leggy and more prone to disease
*keep weeded with light to moderate watering

Harvesting:
*gather when flowers are fully open. If you harvest in the summer, it might reflower and give you another harvest
*dry the flowers hung upside in a dark, well-ventilated place. Store in airtight containers

Medicinal:
*excellent remedy for stress, nerves, and anxiety
*good for the immune system
*good for stomach problems and headaches
*it has a calming, soothing, anti-inflammatory effect on the body

Companion Planting:
*it is a plant's physician because when it is planted near ailing plants, if often helps them revive

Misc.:
*when making chamomile tea, brew a second cup that is extra strong and use to wipe down the kitchen sink and table or to wipe out a cabinet to get rid of a musty smell

For additional information, see: references and warnings