The German Chamomile Harvest
The German Chamomile Harvest
It’s around this time of year that locally to me, the chamomile harvest has now been brought in. The smell wafting off the fields of this cropping is wonderful, a whimsical blend of bitter, sweet, and fruity. It’s the German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) renowned for its rich, potent essential oils, and the one we (and most other retailers) sell here at Herbs Hands Healing as a simple tea and also in our Evening Peace Tea blend.
We’ve used it worldwide potentially for thousands of years with history recording its presence in the first century A.D. Generally calming and capable of decreasing inflammation quite quickly it is useful as a minor pain killer and particularly where the gut is concerned e.g. digestive difficulties and bowel spasms, bloating etc.
It is also antimicrobial and this is often overlooked in favour of say thyme and so on but it’s good to know that while calming you down it’s really helping your immune system too.
I use it also in a strong single tincture for a wide range of issues, one that springs to mind is helping the skin e.g. eczema.
As a tea, it’s a traditional, well-used herb to help lower mild anxiety and aid sleep. Indeed it is honoured for this in the ‘Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter’ the bunny mother to Peter Rabbit tucked him up in bed with a cup of chamomile tea, to calm and soothe his overwrought state. A charming story.
Enjoy your cuppa!
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