Wild Chamomile

According to the Peterson, "Medicinal Plants and Herbs," field guide, the dried Chamomile flowers used to make tea have been used for colic, diarrhea, insomnia, indigestion, gout, sciatica, headaches, colds, fevers, flu, cramps, and arthritis. With all these health benefits it's no wonder it still occupies shelf space at the supermarket.

I could purchase a box of tea but I thought it would be more fun to go out and harvest some of my own since it is locally abundant. However, I have been teased all summer long by the Ox-Eye Daisy which is similar to Chamomile with its ray of white flowers and yellow central discs for there are some discerning traits that can only be detected up close. The leaves of the Ox-Eye Daisy are  irregularly lobed and those of the Chamomile look feathered, like miniature pine bows.  Both the Ox-Eye Daisy and Chamomile have yellow centers but those of the daisy are depressed in the middle while those of the Chamomile are domed like a little beehives or honeycombs. When pinched the Chamomile flowers emit a sweet apple-like scent whereas those of the daisy remain odorless. These distinguishing characteristics remain unknown while you motor down 290, as both are found in disturbed areas and waste grounds.

I have learned that you can spend countless hours studying your books but the real learning takes place outdoors. On page, the plant is one-dimentional but outside these plants can tantalize all of your senses. You can feel the woolen leaf of mullein, taste the sweet flesh of a Juneberry, smell the sweetness of pineapple weed, gaze upon the blue petals of violets, and hear the thuds of Black Walnuts landing at the base of their trunks.  During these encounters you can make your own observations and notice the things that are not mentioned in your guide book such as the fine hairs covering the tops of the leaves or the almost microscopic black dots that line the stem. It's where you will take note of the neighboring plants and feel the texture of the soil from which its herbaceous body burgeons. This is referred to "dirt time" A.K.A. hands on learning for the naturalist.

My dirt time quest brought be to the grassy doorstep of my long sought after Wild Chamomile which I happened upon after I pulled over near a pond and followed the dirt path that lead to the waters edge. The white daisy-like petals, yellowed domed central disks, and feathered leaves were a sight for tired eyes.

It has been a month since I plucked the Chamomile flowers from their stems and brought them home to dry. They are so pretty in their dehydrated state. I wish I could preserve how delicate they look. Instead I will steep them in hot water. Even now that they are in the tea ball awaiting their final dunk, I am reluctant. It is not long before the water in the mug turns a pale yellow.

Wild Chamomile-Whole Plant

Wild Chamomile-Yellow Domed Center

Wild Chamomile-Ray of White Petals

Wild Chamomile-Feathered Leaves 

Wild Chamomile-Flower Heads

Wild Chamomile-Dried Flowers

Flowers Awaiting Steeping 

Chamomile Tea

First Cup of Wild Chamomile Tea