German Chamomile
German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is a flowering plant in the daisy family. German Chamomile aka chamomile is used as a mouthwash to treat oral mucositis, gingivitis, sore throat and sinus infection. The ancient Egyptians used it to help with menstrual cramps and there is scientific evidence to support this.
German Chamomile Tea and or mouthwash can help relieve symptoms of the above medical issues.
Caution: Some people have serious allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis) to chamomile. If you are allergic to other plants in the same family such as daisy, ragweed, aster, chrysanthemum, or marigold you should use caution when using chamomile.
Chamomile should be avoided during pregnancy because it may act as a uterine stimulant and therefore increase the chance of abortion.
How To Make Chamomile Tea:
First step is to pick the flowers first thing in the morning as early as possible. Next add the flowers to a bowl of cool water. This is to remove any debris and insects from the flowers. Use a gentle stirring motion and try to accomplish the task with a minimal disturbance to the flowers. Now allow the flowers to soak for a few minutes.
Remove the flowers and remove as much water as possible from them without much physical force. Heat an oven but keep the temperature below boiling. Remove heat from the oven and place the flowers inside with a very small crack in the door. Allow the flowers to stay in the oven to dry. Do this again if the flowers are not dry when the oven cools down.
Once the German Chamomile flowers are dry, place it in an airtight jar and they will store for at least 4 months.
To make the tea simply crush the dried Chamomile and place a spoonful into a cup of water to steep in a pot of boiling water for about 12 minutes. Strain the flowers out, add honey if you like or any other flavors such as lemon and drink or swish around your mouth.
German Chamomile is native to Europe and much of Asia but has been widely introduced into North America. It is found in more than half of the US states and this will likely spread to others in the future.
Matricaria chamomilla is a small flowering annual that has a branched, erect and smooth stem, which grows as much as 1 to 2 feet tall. The leaves are long and narrow and are bipinnate or tripinnate (Compound leaves). Larger white ray florets surround a disk of yellow florets which form a hollow receptacle that you will not notice unless you tear a flower in half. The hollow receptacle lacks scales which distinguishes it from corn chamomile (Anthemis arvensis) which has scales. The flowers bloom in early to midsummer, and have a strong, aromatic smell.
German Chamomile Tea and or mouthwash can help relieve symptoms of the above medical issues.
Caution: Some people have serious allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis) to chamomile. If you are allergic to other plants in the same family such as daisy, ragweed, aster, chrysanthemum, or marigold you should use caution when using chamomile.
Chamomile should be avoided during pregnancy because it may act as a uterine stimulant and therefore increase the chance of abortion.
How To Make Chamomile Tea:
First step is to pick the flowers first thing in the morning as early as possible. Next add the flowers to a bowl of cool water. This is to remove any debris and insects from the flowers. Use a gentle stirring motion and try to accomplish the task with a minimal disturbance to the flowers. Now allow the flowers to soak for a few minutes.
Remove the flowers and remove as much water as possible from them without much physical force. Heat an oven but keep the temperature below boiling. Remove heat from the oven and place the flowers inside with a very small crack in the door. Allow the flowers to stay in the oven to dry. Do this again if the flowers are not dry when the oven cools down.
To make the tea simply crush the dried Chamomile and place a spoonful into a cup of water to steep in a pot of boiling water for about 12 minutes. Strain the flowers out, add honey if you like or any other flavors such as lemon and drink or swish around your mouth.
German Chamomile is native to Europe and much of Asia but has been widely introduced into North America. It is found in more than half of the US states and this will likely spread to others in the future.
Matricaria chamomilla is a small flowering annual that has a branched, erect and smooth stem, which grows as much as 1 to 2 feet tall. The leaves are long and narrow and are bipinnate or tripinnate (Compound leaves). Larger white ray florets surround a disk of yellow florets which form a hollow receptacle that you will not notice unless you tear a flower in half. The hollow receptacle lacks scales which distinguishes it from corn chamomile (Anthemis arvensis) which has scales. The flowers bloom in early to midsummer, and have a strong, aromatic smell.
