Chamomile – A sad tale!

I have been very bad! As I studied the garden yesterday I had a sudden nasty shock! The small chamomile plant that I’d stuck into a small pot until the weather was better before planting it in April was still there in the pot! I had forgotten it! Now that is bad and to make me feel worse the poor little plant had been doing it’s best and even produced some flowers! This is a plant that likes to spread! How could I have overlooked it? It was in full view on the low wall surrounding the patio. But I did! Chamomile is such a useful herb to have in the herb garden and makes a wonderfully refreshing and calming tea. One can use either the flowers or the leaves and it can be dried or fresh.

As well as tea the flowers can be steeped in hot water to be used as a relaxing footbath or a natural hair lightener particularly for blondes. The stronger the tea the more effective it is. Chamomile has other uses too. One not always known is that if planted near an ailing plant it will revive it! Infuse and spray on seedlings to prevent ‘damping off’ and onto compost to activate decomposition. The flower can be used to obtain a yellowy brown dye (use a mordant of alum and cream of tartar). And finally an infusion added to a bath will not only be calming but will help take the sting out of sun or wind reddened skin.

I have to rush out now and find it a permanent home and plant it, even if it is only in a bigger pot. The problem with putting it in the garden is that it needs full sun. I love this plant as it spreads so easily to make a carpet and it is so forgiving! In the spring it can be divided to make more plants!