chagrinvalleyherbsociety Fun Facts
Growing
German chamomile is similar in chemistry to Roman or English chamomile (Chameamelum nobile) but has a less pronounced aroma and tastes less bitter. It is an annual with fine-cut foliage and a single daisy-like flower with a yellow, hollow disk and white rays. (Chameamelum nobile is actually a perennial.) The plant grows two or three feet tall in full sun. Being an annual, it must be started from seed. The seeds are very tiny and of unstable viability. They have a germination rate of about 70% the first year and rapidly lose viability thereafter, unless they are planted and subjected to freezes and thaws. It is one of the rare seeds that needs light for germination. The most practical method is to broadcast the seeds in early August, pack the soil lightly and water until the little plants can be seen. No winter cover is needed as the plants are extremely hardy. Otherwise, the seeds may be started indoors in March and transplanted outside when they are large enough to handle. It can be grown in zones 4-9. Per Carrots Love Tomatoes, it can be grown with cabbages and onions, where it will improve the growth and flavor of both. The whole plant is valuable but the most commonly used part is the flower.
Historical
German chamomile is native to southern and eastern Europe and western Asia, though it now grows widely through temperate disturbed areas, meadows and fields. Egyptians, Romans and Greeks used chamomile to treat many conditions. Chamomile’s medicinal history is due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-allergenic, and sedative properties. It was called “ground apple” by the ancient Greeks because of its smell. It was called “maythen” to the Anglo-Saxons, one of the nine sacred herbs given to the world by the god, Woden. To the German herbalist, German chamomile was the true chamomile. Heinz Grotzke, one such herbalist, traces the origins of German chamomile to southern Europe and the Near East, noting that “the Germanic tribes considered the camomile sacred in ancient times and dedicated it to their sun god, Baldur because to them the camomile’s yellow center and white petals around it seemed to convey sun forces”. Dioscorides and Pliny recommended a chamomile poultice or bath as the cure for headaches and illnesses affecting the liver, kidneys and bladder. The English herbalists were not so kind toward German chamomile. Culpepper called it a hateful weed. The early herbalists often conflated it with feverfew. It is referred to as “matricaria” because of its role as a gynecological herb. Per Medieval humorstudy, the herb is bitter, mainly warm and moist. The flowers symbolized patience in adversity to the Victorians.
Medicinal Uses
For educational purposes only, don’t try this at home…Matricaria chamomilla is anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, bitter, sedative. Preparations include teas, salves, lotions, capsules, compresses and vapors. Infusions and tinctures of the flowers can be taken for irritable bowel syndrome, poor appetiteand indigestion. Drink a cup of infusion of the flowers at night for insomnia, anxiety, stress and to prevent nightmares. Anointment of the flowers can be used for insect bites, wounds anditching eczema. Do not use the essential oil during pregnancy because it is a uterine stimulant. Chamomile can also cause contact dermatitis.
Culinary, Beauty and Dyes
Chamomile flowers have a green apple flavor. They are most often steeped in an infusion (tea) either fresh or dried. They can also be used fresh in salads or the flavor can be infused in other beverages, oatmeal, syrups or incorporated into fruit dishes. In addition, they are used in sleep pillows, potpourri, bath tea blends and other cosmetic and craft uses. Chamomile oil, though a beautiful blue color, can be added to shampoos to bring out highlights to blonde hair. Chamomile flowers can be used to create a yellow-brown fabric dye.
Tips:
•Harvest and dry flowers for storage by cutting just the fully opened flower heads, spreading them on a screen in a well-ventilated location away from direct sunlight.
• Store dried flowers in an air-tight, dark colored container away from direct sunlight.
• Dried chamomile flowers retain their flavor for up to 1 year
Recipes
Chamomile French Toast
1 ½ cups heavy cream 8 large eggs
4 chamomile tea bags Kosher salt
1 teaspoon lemon zest plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice 8 thick (1-inch) slices brioche
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon honey 4 tablespoons butter
1 ½ cups milk ½ cup mascarpone cheese
2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups fresh berries (any in season)
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. In a small pot, combine the heavy cream and tea bags. Bring to a simmer, then take off the heat immediately. Let sit and cool, then remove the tea bags. In a small bowl, combine the lemon zest and juice and 1/3 cup of the honey and whisk. Set aside. In a medium bowl, combine the chamomile cream, milk, vanilla, eggs, remaining 1 tablespoon honey and a pinch of salt. Whisk until completely combined. Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter and let melt. Put 2 slices of bread into the cream mixture and let it soak through. Put the soaked bread in the pan and cook until golden brown on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Transfer to a baking sheet and hold in the oven. Add another tablespoon of butter to the pan, soak 2 more slices of bread in the cream mixture and cook. Repeat with the remaining butter, bread and cream mixture. Top the French toast with a dollop of mascarpone, some fresh berries and a drizzle of the lemon honey.
Geoffrey Zakarian Food Network.com
Relaxing Chamomile Bath Tea
Chamomile flowers,
dried Lemon verbena leaves,
dried Lavender buds,
dried Epsom or sea salt
Blend equal parts of the listed ingredients in a bowl. Store in an air-tight dark container, away from heat and sunlight. To use, place 3 to 4 tablespoons of the mixture in a muslin bag or large tea strainer and steep in bath water.
I couldn’t resist throwing in an extra recipe this month since German Chamomile is renowned for its calming properties. Hence, the bath recipe. There were some other great recipes on The Herb Society of America’s website. You can find them at: Microsoft Word – Recipes German Chamomile 2023.docx (herbsociety.org). These include Chamomile Tea, Chamomile Lemon Tea, Tummy Tea and a Sleep Pillow. Happy dreaming!
Much of the text supplied with permission by The Herb Society of America.
