The well-known medicinal herb chamomile can be easily grown in your own garden or collected in the wild. However, the quality of the chamomile flowers depends both on the correct harvest time and on the type of drying.
Do not harvest chamomile too late
German chamomile has a comparatively long flowering period and reveals its bright yellow flower heads with the characteristic white tongue petals between May and September. the older the flowers get, the more the tongues bend towards the ground. The flower contains the highest proportion of medicinally important essential oils when it is harvested about three to five days after it has fully opened. However, especially with wild collections, it is difficult to find the perfect time, which is why you can use the following rule of thumb: If about two thirds of a camomile hedge is in full bloom and some are still closed, you can harvest. Traditionally, chamomile is harvested around June 24, St. John's Day.
Dry chamomile properly
Essential oils are very volatile, which is why you should process the freshly harvested flower heads immediately and dry them properly. Above all, it is important that the flowers are not exposed to sunlight during the drying process. Furthermore, the selected place should not be too warm and airy. Temperatures between about 20 and a maximum of 30 °C are optimal. Gentle drying in the oven is also possible, provided it is carried out at a low temperature.
tips and tricks
You can also collect mature (i.e. flower heads with infructescence) chamomile flowers and sow them in your garden between early August and mid-September - this is a natural way to sow the medicinal plant. Please note that chamomile germinates in the light and its seeds should therefore not be covered with soil.
IJA