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What is Chamomile?

Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

An herb is a plant whose leaves, seeds, or flowers are used for flavoring food or in medicine. Other uses of herbs include cosmetics, dyes, and perfumes. The name derives from the Latin herba, meaning "green crops." Chamomile or camomile refers to two different geni of plant in the Asteraceae family: Anthemis nobilis, known as Roman chamomile; and Matricaria recutita, known as German chamomile. It is found in temperate zones of Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia.

History. Ancient Egyptians were aware of the benefits of chamomile, and it was used medicinally in the time of the Roman emperors. Perhaps the most famous "historical" use of chamomile is as a tea to soothe Peter Rabbit after he eats too much in Mr. McGregor's garden.

Description. Both Roman and German chamomile plants are fairly short, the first reaching a height of 8-12 inches (20-30 cm.), and the second, 6-24 inches (15-60 cm.). The flowers of both are comprised of white petals arrayed around a yellow disk.

Chamomile is an herb that is often used to make tea.
Chamomile is an herb that is often used to make tea.

Gardening. Roman chamomile is a perennial, while German chamomile is an annual. The former prefers cool weather, while the latter grows well almost anywhere. Chamomile is planted both as an herb among other herbs, and as a lawn plant, for which it requires a fair amount of maintenance. Chamomile is valued for the sweet scent that is released when it is trod upon.

Food and other uses. Chamomile is used to make tisane, hair rinses for blonde hair, and potpourri. People who are sensitive to ragweed may also have sensitivities to chamomile.

Chamomile may be used to make hair rinses for blonde hair.
Chamomile may be used to make hair rinses for blonde hair.

Preservation. Flowers can be gathered individually or dried on the plant, but the flowers are known to fall apart during the drying process, so you may wish to place plants headfirst into paper bags with small holes punched in the side for air circulation. Tie the bag ends closed, and hang them like that. With this method, the petals will be easy to collect. Both the stems and petals can be chopped and stored together in a cool, dry place, in an airtight container.

Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth is passionate about reading, writing, and research, and has a penchant for correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to contributing articles to DelightedCooking about art, literature, and music, Mary Elizabeth is a teacher, composer, and author. She has a B.A. from the University of Chicago’s writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont, and she has written books, study guides, and teacher materials on language and literature, as well as music composition content for Sibelius Software.

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Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth is passionate about reading, writing, and research, and has a penchant for correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to contributing articles to DelightedCooking about art, literature, and music, Mary Elizabeth is a teacher, composer, and author. She has a B.A. from the University of Chicago’s writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont, and she has written books, study guides, and teacher materials on language and literature, as well as music composition content for Sibelius Software.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon2731

Can chamonile extracts expire or go bad I have a bottle that changed colors from clear to a dark brown?

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    • Chamomile is an herb that is often used to make tea.
      By: karandaev
      Chamomile is an herb that is often used to make tea.
    • Chamomile may be used to make hair rinses for blonde hair.
      By: soup studio
      Chamomile may be used to make hair rinses for blonde hair.
    • Chamomile tea is frequently used to settle upset stomachs.
      By: ryanking999
      Chamomile tea is frequently used to settle upset stomachs.
    • Roman and German chamomile flowers may be used to reduce muscle spasms.
      By: paul prescott
      Roman and German chamomile flowers may be used to reduce muscle spasms.