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How To Use Fresh Chamomile - A Naturopath's Guide
- Matricaria chamomilla
- Chamaemelum nobile
Before we start discussing the great features of this amazing plant, just a wee note on potency. If you want the maximum potency to support your digestion, nervous system or sleep issues consider our award winning Rest and Calm. We harvest fresh organic chamomile locally from Mihiwaka and have designed this product to cover multiple issues. It is also portable and easy to use. We also have one for the small people - safe from new-born even!
How To Identify Chamomile
Chamomile has a daisy like flower but please be aware that you should not eat or make tinctures for internal use from flowers that you think are chamomiles. Daisies can look very similar but they are not meant for internal use (you can make a balm with daisy flowers for your skin though).
Benefits Of Fresh vs Dried Chamomile
7 Ways To Use Fresh Chamomile
1 Use Chamomile As A Digestive Bitters
- Pick about a handful of fresh chamomile flowers and place in a small glass jar (that holds about 200ml liquid).
- Top the flowers with alcohol about 40% strength (vodka would be perfect for this).
- Label with name - fresh chamomile bitters and date. On the back of the jar write what the date will be in 4 weeks so you know when to strain.
- After 4 weeks, strain the flowers out and bottle into dropper bottles.
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Start having your bitters before meals (about 1/2 tsp to start).
2 Fresh Chamomile Tea
If you're wondering how to use fresh chamomile, a herbal tea is probably one of the first things you think of trying. The best thing about making your own is that you can make it as strong or weak as you like. A general guide is about a tablespoon of fresh chamomile per cup (150ml) but you can use more if you want, just don’t over do it. One 1/4 cup of fresh chamomile in a small cup might be too much.
3 How To Use Fresh Chamomile To Infuse In Oil
To make an infused oil, pick your fresh chamomile flowers, (you will need 1 cup of fresh flower) place them in a single layer on a paper towel and leave them to wilt over night. The next day you have two options - you could gently heat the chamomile in your 250ml base oil (almond/sunflower etc) on a double boiler for 20 minutes. Or you could place the flowers in your base oil and let it infuse over 3 weeks, then strain and label to use. This oil is great for irritated skin.
4 Make Into A Balm
Making a balm is another way to make the most of your fresh chamomile. Using your infused oil - in a double boiler add 5gm shea or coconut butter, 50gm beeswax and 250ml oil and gently heat until the beeswax was melted. Pour into a pyrex jug and then carefully pour into small jars. You can add essential oils if you want (e.g. lavender). This balm is a perfect lip balm, great for scratches or itchy skin.
5 Have A Herbal Bath
6 How To Use Fresh Chamomile For Sleep
Chamomile is amazing to help those that struggle with sleep. You can use your chamomile bitters to supercharge your chamomile tea to help with sleep. Or you could consider taking our Rest and Calm half an hour before bed! This saves you having to get up in the night if you have had too much tea!