Last Updated on April 5, 2024 by Real Men Sow
Matricaria chamomilla (Chamomile) is a popular herb that’s often used in teas and herbal medicine. But did you know that it’s also an excellent medicinal plant for your garden? It’s easy to grow, has many uses, attracts beneficial insects and pollinators, can be used as mulch or compost, and has many other benefits.
Ten reasons why you should consider growing chamomile in your garden:
1. Grow Matricaria chamomilla (Chamomile) from the seed
Growing chamomile from seed is easy and rewarding. In the spring, when your chamomile plant has at least three sets of leaves, pinch off the blossoms to prevent reseeding. As long as it’s not too hot and dry in your area (chamomile doesn’t like heat or sun), you can then harvest the flowers for medicinal use throughout the summer months.
If you’re an avid gardener who wants to have a large supply of chamomile on hand for teas and other uses throughout the year, consider planting seeds in pots indoors so that they’ll be ready to transplant by early spring. Potted plants will also give you an opportunity to experiment with different varieties—there are dozens available!
2. Matricaria chamomilla (Chamomile) attracts good bugs and pollinators.
When you grow chamomile in your garden, it attracts a multitude of beneficial insects and pollinators. These include bees, butterflies and other pollinators; beneficial insects like ladybugs, spiders, and parasitic wasps; chickens and goats love to eat chamomile too!
3. Chamomile tea can be used in the garden
Chamomile can also be used in the garden, both as a fertilizer and as a pest-control agent. When you’re preparing your soil for planting, throw some chamomile flowers into the mix. They’ll release their fragrance and attract beneficial insects to pollinate your plants. You can also use it to control pests like aphids or whiteflies by spraying them directly with chamomile tea. Chamomile will help keep your garden free from diseases such as leaf spots or powdery mildew, so consider adding it to your compost pile if you have one!
If you have weeds growing in your yard or garden beds, chamomile might be just what you need! The essential oils contained within this plant are effective at killing off unwanted plant life without harming other nearby plants (or humans!).
4. Matricaria chamomilla (Chamomile) is a great plant to grow with other plants.
Chamomile is a good companion plant for many vegetables. Its fragrance will help repel harmful insects from your garden space, and it’s also easy to harvest and use. Chamomile is a perennial herb that grows best in the sun, so it can thrive alongside many different types of plants. Some popular companions are:
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Roses
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Lavender
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Sage (grows well with sage)
5. Chamomile is a green mulch and is good for composting
- Chamomile is a great green mulch. It’s an attractive ground cover and will help keep weeds down in your garden.
- Use chamomile plants as compost material. They are high in nitrogen, which is what compost needs to break down into humus.
- Once you’ve used up all the chamomile flowers, chop up the dried stems and use them as mulch around other plants that need extra nutrients or protection from frost (such as cabbage and broccoli), or add them to potting soil when starting seeds indoors.
6. Matricaria chamomilla (Chamomile) flowers are edible
Chamomile flowers are edible. They can be added to salads and smoothies, or used as a garnish. They also make excellent tea. It’s high in vitamins C and A, and its antioxidants make it an excellent anti-inflammatory agent.
7. Matricaria chamomilla (Chamomile) supports relaxation and sleep
While chamomile is often thought of as a tea, it’s also used in many other ways. Chamomile has been shown to have a calming effect and can be used to help with insomnia. When used as a sleep aid, chamomile has been shown to decrease anxiety and promote relaxation.
For people suffering from anxiety or stress-related disorders, chamomile is an excellent choice for reducing anxiety, improving mood, and promoting relaxation.
8. Chamomile good for digestion
Chamomile is a digestive aid. It can help with indigestion and stomach upset, bloating and gas, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal issues. Studies have shown that the chemicals in chamomile work as an anti-inflammatory agent to alleviate inflammation caused by ulcers or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A study conducted at the University of Michigan showed that chamomile has been effective for treating IBS symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, and gas.
The soothing effects of chamomile can also help relieve constipation by relaxing your muscles that control bowel movements so you’re likely to go more frequently when you drink it regularly.
9. Matricaria chamomilla (Chamomile) is extremely good for skin and hair care
Chamomile is a natural hair conditioner and has been used to strengthen hair. It contains silica, which helps to strengthen and repair damaged hair. Chamomile also acts as an antiseptic on your scalp and can help prevent dandruff.
In addition to using chamomile as a conditioner, you can use it as an anti-fungal in your shampoo or rinse by mixing 1 teaspoon of dried chamomile into 1 cup of water. Apply this solution to wet hair before washing it with shampoo. Chances are you won’t even need any other products after using this mixture!
10. Chamomile is an herb for children
Chamomile is an herb that can be used to treat a variety of issues, including teething and digestive problems. It’s also been shown to promote relaxation and sleep.
There are several ways to use chamomile for your child:
- Put dried or fresh chamomile flowers in the bath water for extra calming effects on the skin and body. It’s also good for treating diaper rash!
- Put dried or fresh chamomile flowers in a warm cloth and place it over your child’s eyes for 10 minutes before bedtime to help them relax (and maybe get some shut-eye).
- Give your child a cupful of chamomile tea with honey before bedtime as an alternative way of getting some sleep after their bath or simply soothe them down from having too much fun playing outside during summertime!
Conclusion
Chamomile is a great choice for your garden, and even more so for your health. Growing it is easy and there are lots of ways to use it in your home. We hope this post has inspired you to try growing some chamomile plants in your own garden!
