Do you enjoy a warm cup of chamomile tea before bed? If so, you’re in luck! In this article, I will teach you how to dry chamomile for tea at home.
To dry chamomile for tea, first cut the flowers off of the stem. Spread them out on a flat surface in a single layer and allow them to air dry for several days. Once they are completely dry, store them in an airtight container.
Chamomile is a soothing herb that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. It can be enjoyed fresh or dried and makes a delicious tea that is perfect for relaxing after a long day.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is a dried flower that you can find pre-packaged at most health food stores. It has a sweet, apple-like flavor and is a popular choice to make tea for relaxation.
“To dry chamomile for tea, first cut the flowers off of the stem. Spread them out on a flat surface in a single layer and allow them to air dry for several days. Once they are completely dry, store them in an airtight container.”
TEA CROSSING
Chamomile tea has several potential health benefits, including reducing anxiety and promoting sleep.
You may want to build in a regular tea ritual using chamomile and include it as a staple flower and herb in your garden.
Benefits Of Chamomile
Chamomile tea is a soothing infusion made from the dried flowers of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), a member of the Asteraceae family. Chamomile has been used medicinally for centuries, and today it’s still popular as a folk remedy for anxiety, insomnia, and other conditions.
Chamomile tea is also high in antioxidants, which may help protect against cell damage and inflammation.
Here are some potential benefits of chamomile tea:
- Anxiety relief: One study found that drinking chamomile tea daily for two weeks reduced symptoms of anxiety in people with generalized anxiety disorder. Another study showed that chamomile extract may be as effective as the drug lorazepam for treating anxiety.
- Insomnia relief: Chamomile tea has a calming effect that may help you sleep better. One study found that people who drank chamomile tea for eight weeks had improved sleep quality and less daytime fatigue.
- Reduced inflammation: Chamomile tea is high in antioxidants, which may help protect against cell damage and inflammation.
- Stomach upset relief: Chamomile tea may help relieve stomach upset and promote digestion. It seems to work by relaxing the muscles of the digestive tract.
How To Dry Chamomile Flowers for Tea
If you have planted Chamomile flowers, or find them growing naturally near you, there are some simple steps you can follow to harvest, dry, and use them.
Be sure that they have not been sprayed with pesticides, and that they are healthy for consumption.
Step One: Locate a Chamomile Plant
The best place to find chamomile plants is in your garden or an open field. If you do not have access to either of these, try looking for a park or nature reserve nearby. Once you have located a chamomile plant, make sure it is free from debris and weeds.
Step Two: Cut The Chamomile Flowers
Use scissors to cut the flowers off of the stem. Make sure you cut as close to the flower head as possible. Discard any leaves that are still attached to the flower head. This leaves you with only the flower portion.
Step Three: Spread Out the Flowers On A Tray Or Plate
If you are harvesting chamomile flowers for tea, it is best to dry them in small batches. Spread the flowers out on a tray or plate so that they are not touching each other.
Step Four: Dry The Flowers In The Sun
Place the tray or plate outside in direct sunlight. Make sure the flowers are in full sun and not in any shade. The sun will help to quickly dry the flowers.
Step Five: Check On The Flowers Every Few Hours
Make sure to check on the flowers every few hours. Once they are fully dried, they will be brittle and crumbly.
Reasons To Dry Chamomile
There are many reasons to dry chamomile.
For one, it’s a great way to preserve the herb for future use. You can also be store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
Drying chamomile can also make it easier to measure out when you’re ready to make tea.
Finally, drying chamomile will give you a convenient way to have the herb on hand whenever you need it.
How To Use Dry Chamomile for Tea?
Like all herbal teas, chamomile tea is simple to prepare and drink. You can also use the prepared tea for topical applications.
Here are some tips:
- Brewing chamomile tea is simple. Just add one teaspoon of dried chamomile flowers to a cup of boiling water and steep for five to eight minutes. You can also add honey or lemon to taste. Chamomile tea is a great way to relax and unwind after a long day. It may also be beneficial for digestion and skin health.
- If you want to make a larger batch of chamomile tea, just multiply the number of chamomile flowers by the number of cups you want to make. For example, if you want to make two quarts of tea, use eight teaspoons of chamomile flowers.
- Chamomile tea is also effective as a topical treatment for skin issues like eczema, psoriasis, and acne. Simply brew a strong batch of chamomile tea, let it cool, and apply it to the affected area. Leave on for 15-20 minutes and then rinse with warm water. Repeat as needed. Chamomile tea is a great natural alternative to over-the-counter medications.
How To Store Dried Chamomile
If you want to store your dried chamomile for later use, there are a few things you need to do. You can store chamomile in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to six months, and use it for teas and herbal preparations.
Here are five steps to follow for storing dried chamomile:
Step One: Place The Chamomile In An Airtight Container.
One of the most important things when storing any type of herb is using an airtight container. This will help keep the flavor and potency of the herb intact. Airtight containers come in many different shapes and sizes, so find one that fits your needs.
Step Two: Store In A Cool, Dark Place.
Another important factor when storing herbs is to store them in a cool, dark place. This will help keep the flavor and potency of the herb intact. Also, keeping them in a cool, dark place will help protect them from light, which can degrade the herb over time.
Step Three: Label The Container.
It’s always a good idea to label your containers with the date and any other information you think is important. This will help you keep track of how long the herbs have been stored and when you should consider replacing them.
Step Four: Store Away From Heat And Moisture.
To maintain the flavor and potency of your dried chamomile, it’s important to store it away from heat and moisture. Exposing chamomile to high temperatures or humidity can cause it to lose its flavor and potency.
Step Five: Replace Every Six Months.
Although dried chamomile can be stored for up to six months, it’s a good idea to replace it every so often. The flavor and potency of the herb will slowly degrade over time, so it’s best to fresh herbs whenever possible.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to dry chamomile for tea, you can enjoy this delicious and healthy beverage any time of year. Chamomile tea is a great way to relax and unwind, and it can also be used to treat a variety of ailments. If you grow chamomile in your garden, be sure to dry some extra so that you can enjoy a cup of tea even when the fresh flowers are not in bloom.