Chamomile

from Brenda Hyde

Chamomile is a wonderful and soothing herb. I haven't had room to grow it very often, but have found it's easy to buy in bulk and use for tea blends that I make myself.

The first recipe is for the very basic chamomile tea. It makes one cup of tea. In the recipes you can use this with the dried chamomile or substitute a chamomile tea bag. Either way is fine, depending on what you have on hand.

Basic Chamomile Tea

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of water
• 1 tsp. of dried chamomile flowers

Bring the water to the boil in a saucepan. Sprinkle the dried flowers into the water and continue to boil for about 30 seconds with the lid on. Remove the pan from the heat and allow it to stand for another 1-4 minutes.

Use in recipes or sweeten with honey and serve.

Chamomile Cooler

Ingredients:

• 3 chamomile tea bags, or an equal amount of dried chamomile leaves
• 2 sprigs lemon balm
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1 cup white grape juice
• 2-1/2 cups cold unflavored sparkling water

In a bowl, pour boiling water over the herbs. Cover and steep for at least 10 minutes. Strain the liquid into a glass pitcher. Stir in the orange, pineapple, lime, and grape juices. Chill til time to serve.

Fill iced tea glasses 2/3 full of the juice/tea mixture. Add ice and fill the glasses with sparkling water. Makes about 6 servings.

Chamomile Cranberry Tea

Ingredients:

• 4 chamomile teabags or 4 tsp.. dried chamomile
• 4 cups boiling water
• 1 cup cranberry juice cocktail
• Sugar or honey to taste

Steep the teabags or chamomile in the boiling water for 8-10 minutes. Strain and add the cranberry juice. Stir and serve. Add sugar and honey to taste. Makes 4 servings.

Chamomile Spice Tea

Ingredients:

• 2 cups dried lemon balm or other lemon herb
• 1 cup dried chamomile flowers
• 1 cup dried mint
• 1 cup dried orange peel
• 3 tbsp. whole cloves, crushed
• 6 inch cinnamon stick, crushed

Blend all ingredients together and store in a covered tin. To make tea, use 1 tsp. of blend for each cup of water.

Add to a teapot, and add boiling water. Steep the tea for 5-10 minutes and serve with honey.

Soothing Winter Tea

Ingredients:

• 1/4 inch piece fresh ginger root, peeled and chopped
• 1/4 cup dried chamomile flowers
• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 teaspoon fennel seed
• lemon juice, honey
• (optional) red cayenne pepper or other hot pepper

In a glass or ceramic pan add all the ingredients. Cover with 2 quarts water. Bring to a boil and simmer covered for 30 minutes. Strain a cup at a time throughout the day. Add a little lemon and honey to the cup and drink slowly. If it's too strong for your taste, add more boiling water. You can drink 2-3 cups a day, or smaller 1/2 cups as needed. This is great when you have a fever, the flu or a cold.

Relaxing Tea Blend

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup dried mint
• 1/4 cup dried lemon grass or lemon verbena
• 1 cup dried lemon balm
• 1/2 cup dried catnip
• 3/4 cup dried chamomile flowers

Blend all herbs thoroughly and store in an airtight container. To make the tea, use 2 teaspoons of blend for each cup of boiling water. Brew for 5 minutes or so, then strain. Sweeten with honey if desired.

Relaxing With Chamomile

Chamomile is an herb that brings memories, relaxation and joy. It's used in the bath, as a comforting tea and in cosmetic recipes. We'll be profiling two types of chamomile-German (Matricaria recutita-formally chamomilla) and Roman (Anthemis nobilis, Chamaelmelum nobile). Both have many similarities as well as some distinct differences.

Roman Chamomile is a perennial which is hardy to Zone 4, and sometimes to Zone 3. If you are unsure because of harsh winters you may mulch the plants for extra protection. Roman Chamomile will grow up to 9-12 inches tall when in bloom. It will grow in any type of soil, but will do best in a well prepared bed that is kept evenly moist.

Roman Chamomile has some enchanting uses in the garden and landscape that have been enjoyed for centuries. It can be planted inbetween stepping stones or on garden paths, where it will release it's apple-like scent as it's trodden upon. It may be kept mown just as grass and actually, has actually been used as an entire lawn in some landscapes.

Another charming idea comes from the 19th Century gardens when seats were created by mounding the soil and planting chamomile thickly over the entire mound, or seat. This was then kept trimmed or mown. It's easy to picture the lady of the house sitting amidst the sweet aroma of chamomile while reading the latest novel. In modern times we could adapt this idea in an area where we read aloud to our children and grandchildren as well as teaching them of garden treasures and nature.

German Chamomile is an annual that grows 2-3 foot tall and will self sow if you leave some of the flowers on the plant when you harvest. You can direct seed this type of chamomile in light well drained soil that is kept evenly moist. It prefers full sun but will grow in partial shade as well. Grow your plants close together and they will help support each other. You can direct seed in the fall or spring.

How do you decide which chamomile to grow? Both can be used for the recipes below, but the annual German Chamomile is somewhat sweeter and less medicinal. I think both should be grown for their charm and their usefulness. I plant the annual chamomile in a space that is out of the way where I can harvest easily. Roman Chamomile is fun to grow where the aroma can be enjoyed. It's also a great companion plant to cucumbers and onions if you plant it among your vegetables. Some individuals with ragweed allergies may react to touching the plant, using it on the skin or drinking the tea, but this is true of many herbs and flowers. If you have sensitive skin, and a history of allergies it's always good to try small amounts of a new herb and wear gloves in the garden.

Harvesting Chamomile is an easy project. It is best dried on a screen while covered lightly with cheesecloth. When the blooms have opened fully (the petals falling back from the center) you will want to harvest the flowers only. The petals actually have the essential oils, but all can be used for tea and other recipes.

TIPS FOR USING CHAMOMILE

The leaves of chamomile may be dried as well for potpourri. Press the blooms to use in crafts. I like making bookmarks, note cards and gift tags.

Place a handful of chamomile in a square of cheesecloth or muslin, gather and tie then throw into your bath for a soothing skin treat. I also make bath teas by placing chamomile and powdered milk or ground oatmeal in a muslin bag then brewing it for about 15 minutes before adding to my bath.

In researching for this profile I found much of the text I read regarded the chamomiles as "disagreeable" and the tea was often used only medicinally. Perhaps I am too sentimental about herbs, but I find the aroma and taste of chamomile to be comforting. Though it's not considered a "kitchen herb" I think it should be grown in every cook's garden.

CHAMOMILE RECIPES

Tea of Cheer and Joy

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container. To brew use 1 1/2 tsp.. of tea with 1 cup (8 ounces) boiling water. Steep for 3-5 minutes. Strain and sweeten with honey to taste.

Winter Afternoon Tea

Combine the herbs in your warmed tea pot and add 2 cups boiling water. Steep for 5 minutes and strain. Add 1 tsp. of honey to each cup of tea. Notes: I put together this simple mellow tea one winter afternoon. I like it with the honey, but lemon would be fine too. This makes 2 cups of tea, but it can easily be doubled and tripled.

Chamomile Shampoo

Pour the boiling water over the chamomile and steep for 30 minutes, strain, then mix into the shampoo and use as usual.

Chamomile Hair Conditioner

Combine the chamomile and oil in a jar with a lid. Place on a sunny windowsill and shake the jar at once a day. After two weeks, strain out the herbs. To apply, use about 2-4 teaspoons, depending on the length of your hair. Brush out your hair and apply to the hair ends, avoiding the scalp. Leave on about ten minutes, then shampoo out.

Chamomile Hair Rinse

Pour the water over the chamomile; steep until it cools to lukewarm. Strain out the flowers. This will soothe your scalp. To use pour over your hair as a rinse after shampooing.

Herbal Foot Soak

Roughly chop the herbs. Put in a bowl, pour in boiling water. Let stand 1 hour; strain. Place the "tea" water into a tub or bowl large enough to hold both feet and another 6-7 cups of warm water. Stir in borax and Epsom salts. Soak feet 15 to 20 minutes. Add hot water if needed to keep the temperature as warm as desired. Afterwards use a good lotion and place cotton socks on your feet for the evening!

From Brenda Hyde, owner of Old Fashioned Living.com. Visit her for more tips, recipes and crafts. Sign up for her free newsletters here: http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/news.html