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Herb Gardener Tips An Herb-Covered Garden Path Herb of the Month

Herb of the Month

Chamomile, chamaemelum nobile or matricaria recutita

German is an Annual and Roman is a Hardy herbaceous Perennial

Full Sun to Part Shade

Light to Well Drained Soil

Chamomile, Roman or German Chamaemelum nobile
or Matricaria recutita

Roman chamomile is a native of western and southern Europe. It is an herb with a long history of medical use. In ancient Egypt, priests dedicated it to the sun and used its flowers to treat fevers. The Greeks named it khamaimelon, which loosely means "ground apple," referring to its creeping growth and apple like scent of the crushed flowers. They used chamomile tea to soothe upset stomachs, as an anti-inflammatory to reduce swelling after injury and to reduce menstrual cramps.

Anthemis tinctoria, dyer's chamomile is used for dye and also makes a lovely ornamental plant. It has lacy foliage and yellow daisy like flowers. German chamomile is widely sold throughout Europe as a bedtime tea to promote restful sleep. Plants are tolerant of tough conditions and can often be seen growing wild along railroad tracks or up through cracks in parking lots.

Planting and Care:

Perennial chamomiles are smaller than annual forms, but they have similar, fine, fernlike foliage and a pleasant apple like scent when crushed. Grows as a flat mat of spreading leaves. Best grown by dividing runners in Spring or Fall. All chamomiles prefer full sun to light shade. Once established, all self sow.

Harvesting and Use:

Gather leaves in early Spring and early Summer for best scent. Dried flowers can be added to potpourris, but not to retain much scent. Harvest flowers for drying anytime. A rinse for lightning blonde hair can be made by boiling flowers and leaves. You can use the same solution for treating acne and other skin ailments. A calming tea is made with an infusion of fresh or dried flowers or leaves. There is no know toxicity, but the tea has demonstrated mild laxative properties. Avoid excess use. Also good for upset stomach and cramps. A decoction, made by gently boiling leaves and flowers can be used as a topical antiseptic on burns and painful scrapes. Cool before applying to injuries.

Meaning:

In the Language of Flowers, Chamomile means energy in adversity.

Read our Archived Herb Articles

	Coriander, Cilantro, Coriandrum sativum Coriander, Cilantro was our herb of the month in September 2007. CLICK HERE
	Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis Lemon Balm was our herb of the month in August 2007. CLICK HERE
	Basil, Ocimum basilicum Basil was our herb of the month in July 2007. CLICK HERE
	Epazote, (Chenopodium amborsiodes) Epazote was our herb of the month in June 2007. CLICK HERE
	Sage, (Salvia species) Sage was our herb of the month in May 2007. CLICK HERE
	Lavender Lavender was our herb of the month in April 2007. CLICK HERE
	Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis Our herb of the month in March 2007. CLICK HERE
	Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis Our herb of the month in February 2007. CLICK HERE
	Tarragon, Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa Our herb of the month in January 2007. CLICK HERE
	Ginger, Zingiber officinale Our herb of the month in November 2006. CLICK HERE
	Chamomile, Roman or German Chamaemelum nobile or Matricaria recutita Our herb of the month in October 2006. CLICK HERE
	Nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus Our herb of the month in September 2006. CLICK HERE
	Horsetail, Equisetum arvense Our herb of the month in August 2006. CLICK HERE
	Cayenne, Capsicum frutescens Our herb of the month in June 2006. CLICK HERE
	Lemon Verbena, Lippia citriodoro Our herb of the month in May 2006 . CLICK HERE
	Scented Geranium, (Pelargonium species) Our herb of the month in April 2006 and Herb of the Year 2006 . CLICK HERE
	Mexican Mint Marigold, (Tagetes Lucida) Our herb of the month in March 2006. CLICK HERE
	Rose, Rosa Species Revisit Rose, our herb of the month in February 2005. CLICK HERE
	Sweet Bay, (Grecian Laurel) Laurus nobilis Our herb of the month in January 2006. CLICK HERE
	Herbs of the Bible Our herb of the month in Decembers 2005. CLICK HERE
	Sage, (Salvia species) Sage was our herb of the month in November 2005. CLICK HERE
	Lemongrass, (Cymbopogon citratus) Tender perennial Lemongrass was our herb of the month in October 2005. CLICK HERE
	Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale Dandelion was our herb of the month in September 2005. CLICK HERE
	Borage, Borago officinalis Borage was our herb of the month in August 2005. CLICK HERE
	Basil, Ocimum basilicum Basil was our herb of the month in July 2005. CLICK HERE
	Scented Geranium, Pelargonium species Parsley was our herb of the month in May/June 2005. CLICK HERE
	Parsley, Petroselinum sativum Parsley was our herb of the month in March/April 2005. CLICK HERE
	Rose, Rosa Species Rose was our herb of the month in February 2005. CLICK HERE
	Arugula, Roquette, Eruca vesiceria sub, sativa Arugula was our herb of the month in January 2005. CLICK HERE
	Calendula, Pot Marigold, Calendula officinalis Calendula was our herb of the month in December 2004. CLICK HERE
	Winter Savory, Satureja Montana Winter Savory was our herb of the month in November 2004. CLICK HERE
	Coriander, Cilantro, Coriandrum sativum Echinacea was our herb of the month in October 2004. CLICK HERE
	Echinacea (Purple Coneflower) Echinacea was our herb of the month in September 2004. CLICK HERE
	Lemon Verbena Mint was our herb of the month in August 2004. CLICK HERE
	Mint Mint was our herb of the month in July 2004. CLICK HERE
	Hoja Santum Hoja Santum was our herb of the month in June 2004. CLICK HERE
	Lavender Lavender was our herb of the month in May 2004. CLICK HERE
	Thyme Thyme was our herb of the month in April 2004. CLICK HERE
	Oregano Oregano was our herb of the month in October 2003. CLICK HERE
	Peppermint Ideas Peppermint was our herb of the month in August 2003. Our readers sent in these ideas on how they use peppermint. CLICK HERE
	Fall Herb Gardening CLICK HERE