Camomile has little flowers with a dark yellow eye and white crown leaves on light green stems with green feather like leaves. Tisane from dried camomile leaves and flowers has anti-inflammatory and calming properties. Some people can be over-sensitive to camomile tea so be carefull and don't drink large amounts. Annual. Height: 20 - 50 cm.
Outdoor sowing: march - may
Germination: 14 - 21 days
Germination temp.: 15 - 18 °C
Sowing depth: shallow - ½ cm
Plant distance: 30 cm
Plant position: full sun
Harvest period: june - september
Sow Camomile outdoors. Sow in rows or broadcast the seeds on a sunny plot with some shelter and good soil from march on. Rake the seeds in gently. Keep moist and weedfree. Thin the seedlings, when they're large enough to handle, to 30 cm apart. Camomile is an annual that can reseed itself.
Camomile flowers from may till october. It can be harvested from june till september. Spred the flowers carefully out on a drying rack in one layer. The drying has to be quick with a temperature not higher than 35 °C. Make sure You ventilate the room. Don't touch the flowers, because the dried flowers can pulverise very easily. Store Your dried Camomile flowers in air tight jars on a dark, cool and dry place to avoid molding.
