In most parts of the world, chamomile tea is the most popular way to enjoy the plant’s calming effects. You can find chamomile tea in nearly any grocery store, but look for organic, pure tea leaves to get the most benefits.

J. Š., Žutić I., Radman S., Pleša M., Brnčić M., Barba F. J., et al. (2020). Effect of different green extraction methods and solvents on bioactive components of chamomile (matricaria chamomilla L.) flowers. Molecules 25 ( 4), 810. 10.3390/molecules25040810 Abdullahzadeh M, Matourypour P, Naji SA. Investigation effect of oral chamomilla on sleep quality in elderly people in Isfahan: A randomized control trial. J Educ Health Promot. 2017;6:53. Published 2017 Jun 5. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_109_15 Amsterdam JD, Shults J, Soeller I, et al. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) may provide antidepressant activity in anxious, depressed humans: an exploratory study. Altern Ther Health Med. 2012 Sep-Oct;18(5):44-9. Chamomile is a versatile herb that has been used for centuries for medicinal and culinary purposes. The dried flowers have a unique and delicate flavor that can be used to make a variety of teas, tinctures, and infusions. In addition, the delicate, daisy-like flowers can be used for a variety of crafts and DIY projects. Read on to explore 22 creative ways to use dried chamomile flowers, from cooking to crafting. Get excited to learn more about the many ways you can incorporate dried chamomile flowers into your daily life! Nighttime face lotion: Apply two to four drops of chamomile, lavender and peppermint essential oil to your temples for a cooling effect, immediate relaxation and help staying asleep. Try making your own lotion using soothing essential oils; my Homemade Frankincense and Myrrh Lotion will tone, lift, heal and protect the skin — just add five drops of chamomile for anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving benefits.In capsule form, typical doses range from one to two capsules (up to 1000 ml each) one to four times a day. It is essential to keep the soil and seeds moist (not soggy) during germination. Cover your seedling trays with a clear humidity dome to help keep in moisture until they sprout, then remove the covers. Use a spray bottle to gently mist the top of the soil if it starts to dry out.

Shuen G. W., Yi L. Y., Ying T. S., Von G. C. Y., Yusof Y. A. B., Phing P. L. (2021). Effects of drying methods on the physicochemical properties and antioxidant capacity of Kuini powder. Braz. J. Food Technol. 24. 10.1590/1981-6723.08620Notes: Each value in the table represents the mean ± standard deviation (SD) with n = 2. Mean ± SD, followed by different superscript letters within the same column are significantly different at p≤ 0.05. There is not enough information about chamomile to determine whether it is safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. In a recent study published by the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, chamomile extracts were shown to cause minimal growth inhibitory effects on normal healthy cells, but showed significant reductions in human cancer cells, especially androgen-refractory cells that often lead to prostate cancer. 6. Relieves Congestion Santiago-Adame R., Medina-Torres L., Gallegos-Infante J. A., Calderas F., González-Laredo R. F., et al. (2015). Spray drying-microencapsulation of cinnamon infusions (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) with maltodextrin. LWT - Food Sci. Technol. 64 ( 2), 571–577. 10.1016/j.lwt.2015.06.020 Many of these compounds are pharmacologically active, meaning they contain ingredients that are actively effective in treating a concern, much like the main ingredient in a medication.. For example, α-bisabolol and cyclic ethers are antimicrobial, meaning they can fight against microbes like bacteria, while chamazulene and α-bisabolol are antiseptic, which means they can prevent the growth of microorganisms or help destroy them.

Rauf A, Akram M, Semwal P, et al. Antispasmodic Potential of Medicinal Plants: A Comprehensive Review. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2021;2021:4889719. Published 2021 Nov 11. doi:10.1155/2021/4889719Recently, several studies dug into the anti-cancer activity of chamomile. Evidence shows positive effects of chamomile stopping cancerous tumor growth and acting as a natural cancer treatment. Inhibition of cancerous cells is believed to be due to chamomile’s antioxidants called apigenin, which are bioactive constituents that appear to help fight skin, prostate, breast and ovarian cancers. Steep dry chamomile flowers in an oil of choice (e.g. olive oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil) to create chamomile-infused oil. Then you can use the chamomile oil as a face, body, or massage oil. Or, as a culinary oil if you choose an edible carrier oil. Learn more about making herb-infused oils here, including carrier oil options.

The most common form of chamomile is tea, which is made from the dried flowers of the chamomile plant. It’s so common that people drink more than a million cups of chamomile tea a day, often in the evenings before bed. Health Benefits To make it easier to remove the chamomile flowers, you could use a tea infuser/strainer. If you’re making it in a teacup, you could place the flowerz in a tiny strainer that dips down into the water. Alternatively, make your own “tea bag” by wrapping the flowers in a cheesecloth parcel. Iced Chamomile Tea Studies indicate that inhaling steam with chamomile extract is helpful in common cold symptoms. Some people even gargle chamomile tea or extract to fight inflammation of the mucous membranes and within the mouth and throat. 7. Promotes Skin Health Rafraf M, Zemestani M, Asghari-Jafarabadi M. Effectiveness of chamomile tea on glycemic control and serum lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes. J Endocrinol Invest. 2015;38(2):163-170. doi:10.1007/s40618-014-0170-x Some methods have you leave the chamomile (and any add-ins) to steep in hot water for 1+ hour or longer. I’m wary of doing so, though, as chamomile can become bitter when over-steeped. However, feel free to experiment if you’d like.Don’t be shy about harvesting chamomile. The more flowers you harvest, the more will grow! Chamomile will continue to bloom from spring through fall, and even during winter in mild frost-free climates. Though they’ve slowed down a bit, we’re still harvesting chamomile now (in February) from plants we put out last fall. For that reason, I recommend consulting a doctor before introducing this herbal tea to your diet if you have any worries. Start chamomile seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last spring frost date. Direct-sow chamomile seeds outdoors after the last spring frost has passed, once the soil temperature reaches 55 to 60°F. Or, use chamomile-infused oil as an ingredient to create homemade skincare products like healing salves or balms, lip balm, body butter, soap, lotion and more.