Chamomile isn’t just a pretty flower. It’s also one of the oldest herbs around, and you can find it in traditional medicine all over Eastern Europe!
The main use for chamomile is promoting calmness on both mind and body levels.
Chamomile tea is a favorite beverage among many, but did you know that there are other great reasons to grow chamomile in your garden?
For one thing it’s an excellent remedy for stress. Not only does the plant offer relaxation with its calming effects when brewed as hot or cold tea leaves, but it can also help people who deal with anxiety and high levels of stress.
TYPES OF CHAMOMILE
There are two kinds of chamomile plants, Roman (Chamaemelum nobile) and German (Matricaria recutita). The difference between the two is in their appearance. While Romans have yellow flowers with purple stamen, German variety has white or pale-yellow petals.
German chamomile is known for its strong fragrance while Roman type has a more subtle scent. They both grow to be over two feet tall, but German Chamomiles are perennial plants which means you can get them again year after year without having buy new seeds each time!
GROWING ROMAN CHAMOMILE
You can start chamomile from root divisions, cuttings, or seeds. In my experience, starting from seeds indoors is the most successful method.
To start from seeds:
Sow seeds a few weeks (6-8) before the last expected frost to give them enough time for optimal growth. Fill small pots with a lightweight potting blend and place them ¼ inch deep into prepared soil, then water thoroughly, but be careful not to overdo it, as this could cause damage or rot!
The ideal temperature range should land around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 Celsius).
In just 4 weeks, your seeds will have germinated and you can begin giving them the care they need. Make sure that plenty of light is sparkling through a sunny window for optimal growth!
Fertilize in the beginning to give them a boost start!
Before transplanting your tiny plants, be sure to harden off the seedlings by giving them a sheltered location for about 1 week.
If there is going to be frost or snow on top of their current growing environment take them inside at night and let sunlight warm up again outside in morning hours once temperatures are above freezing point range.
Chamomile is a hardy plant that needs plenty of sunshine to grow, but once established it does not require much attention.
It likes dry conditions and cool temperatures so if you live in an area with hot summers or winters be sure to place your chamomiles somewhere where they will get lots of sunlight during the day time hours as well as shade from direct sun when necessary.
GROWING GERMAN CHAMOMILE (ANNUAL)
German chamomile is a type of flower that needs to be planted in the ground. It has tiny seeds and will germinate best if there are no weeds, because they compete with it for nutrients; make sure your organic matter contains lots of earthworm castings (or other healthy material).
Plant the German Chamomile seeds in early spring when you would plant peas. Scatter them over moist soil and tamp down with a hoe, making sure they are all buried at least 1 inch deep.
Frosty weather is no problem for young seedlings. They can even take light frosts, making them great to plant in cold climates where the ground may be frozen solid all winter long!
Seeds need about ten days from planting before they germinate and start growing. Thin your newfound plants 12 inches apart until there are two sets of leaves, and make sure they are weeded and moist.
Established plants: You can buy larger, mature plants for your garden. Make sure you prepare the soil and give it plenty of water while they get established before letting them dry out completely.
CHAMOMILE BENEFITS FOR YOUR GARDEN
1. CHAMOMILE IS A WONDERFUL COMPANION PLANT:
Chamomile is a great companion plant because not only does it keep fungal infections away from your fruit trees and bushes, but also helps protect those plants against aphids.
I always recommend planting chamomiles around brassicas such as broccoli or kale; they will be more protected that way! If you put some down near other herbs like mint for example then this too makes them produce oils better than before.
2. CHAMOMILE DRAWS BENEFICIAL INSECTS AND POLLINATORS TO THE GARDEN:
Not only does it make your plants more attractive to beneficial insects and pollinators, but chamomile also helps discourage invertebrate pests by emitting a natural scent.
3. CHAMOMILE TEA IS EFFECTIVE AGAINST UNWANTED PESTS:
The chamomile plant is like a magnet to both beneficial insects and mosquitoes. Brew double strength tea, then add it into your garden for protection against fungal infections as well as aphids or other unwanted pests!
Spray this mixture onto seedlings before they grow up so you can keep these harmful bugs away too- after all, healthy plants are happy ones!
4. CHAMOMILE TEA IS AN EFFECTIVE FERTILIZER:
Chamomile is an excellent organic fertilizer. Just make sure to cut the chamomile plant back when it reaches about two feet tall, and then break up its leaves so that all of the pieces can absorb water like a sponge!
Afterward place everything in an old pillowcase (including stems) and add it into a 5-gallon bucket full of water.
After two weeks, your tea mixture will be ready for use! Just dilute it with clean water and you’ll have a 3:1 ratio. You can reuse the plant parts to make another batch or two which means less waste overall.
5. CHAMOMILE PLANTS MAKE EXCELLENT MULCH:
At the end of every season, cut down and grind your chamomile plants for use as mulch or add them to garden waste piles.
The flowers can also help keep pests away because they’re high in minerals like calcium!
HEALTH BENEFITS OF CHAMOMILE
There are a plethora of health benefits to be had from chamomile, and these can benefit anyone in many different ways.
Here’s just some fun facts about this herbal medicine:
6. CHAMOMILE IS A LOADED WITH ANTIOXIDANTS:
It turns out that chamomile is not just for your stomach! It’s also been shown to improve immune function, reduce pain and swelling in the body as well as healthier hair, skin eyes or teeth.
You’ll be happy to know this plant can lower rates mood disorders too so it will have you feeling better than ever before soon enough with its anti-inflammatory properties.
7. CHAMOMILE IS A NATURAL REMEDY FOR DEPRESSION:
That’s why I’m such a fan of chamomile. It has been found to be one of nature’s best remedies for anxiety and depression, which means it can really help you out when your mood is knocked by stress or sadness!
8. CHAMOMILE IS A POWERFUL DIGESTIVE AID:
Chamomile is soothing to the digestive tract and can help ease conditions such as acid reflux, diarrhea, motion sickness indigestion nausea vomiting.
The brain communicates with our guts constantly which makes a relaxed mind beneficial in managing these illnesses by relaxing muscles around your intestines that are causing pain or discomfort when irritated
9. CHAMOMILE IS A POWERFUL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND PAIN BUSTER:
Chamomile is often called the “herbal aspirin”. It contains potent anti-inflammatory and pain fighting properties that have made it popular in traditional medicine for thousands of years.
10. CHAMOMILE EASES CONGESTION:
Chamomile is a natural anti-inflammatory that has been shown to have benefits for people with colds, sinuses or the flu. The steam from chamomile tea can help reduce inflammation in your mouth and throat when inhaled or gargled as well!
11. CHAMOMILE MAY KEEP YOUR HEART HAPPY:
Research has shown that chamomile is great for lowering your risk of dying from heart disease. It’s the flavonoids in this plant, which are related to lower death rates among older men!
12. CHAMOMILE MAY REDUCE CANCEROUS CELLS:
The chamomile plant is known for its flowers, but did you know it also contains antioxidants called apigenin? These bioactive components have been found to fight against skin cancer in particular.
ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF CHAMOMILE
CHAMOMILE LATTE Before Bed:
This is my favorite drink to enjoy before going to sleep and it always relaxes me completely.
You will need:
- 1 cup of water
- 2 tablespoons chamomile and lavender (or just chamomile is fine)
- ¼ cup of almond milk
- 2 teaspoons honey (add less if you don’t want it sweet)
Boil the water in a pan, and remove it from heat once ready. Add your herbs in a tea ball or cotton bag, and let it steep for 5-7 minutes.
Remove the tea and add the milk and honey. If you want it to be frothy, blend it a few minutes and enjoy your warm chamomile latte!