As a backyard gardener, one of the most rewarding experiences is enjoying a fresh cup of tea made from plants you’ve grown yourself. If you’ve ever wondered how do you make chamomile tea from the plant, you’re in the right place. Chamomile tea is known for its calming effects and delicate flavor, and making it fresh from your own garden adds a special touch of satisfaction.
This guide will walk you through every step—from growing chamomile in your backyard to harvesting, drying, and brewing the perfect cup of chamomile tea.
What Is Chamomile and Why Grow It in Your Garden?
Before answering how do you make chamomile tea from the plant, it’s helpful to understand what chamomile is. Chamomile is a flowering herb from the daisy family, widely valued for its soothing tea. There are two main types commonly grown: German chamomile and Roman chamomile. German chamomile is especially popular for tea due to its robust flavor and higher concentration of essential oils.
Growing chamomile in your backyard is straightforward. It thrives in full sun with well-draining soil and attracts beneficial pollinators. As a gardener, having chamomile on hand means you can harvest fresh flowers anytime, ensuring the best quality tea.
How to Grow Chamomile for Tea in Your Backyard
To know how do you make chamomile tea from the plant, you first need to grow healthy chamomile plants. Start by planting chamomile seeds either indoors before the last frost or directly in your garden once the soil warms.
Chamomile prefers light, sandy soil and full sun. When planting, scatter seeds lightly on the surface and press them gently into the soil without covering them deeply, as they need light to germinate. Keep the soil moist until seedlings sprout, usually within two weeks.
Once established, thin the plants to about 8-10 inches apart. This spacing helps the plants develop strong flowers, which are essential for a good cup of tea. With proper care, your chamomile plants will bloom profusely from late spring through summer.
When and How to Harvest Chamomile Flowers for Tea
A key part of how do you make chamomile tea from the plant is harvesting the flowers at the right time. The ideal moment is in the morning after the dew dries but before the heat of midday. This timing ensures the flowers hold the maximum amount of essential oils, which give chamomile tea its signature flavor and health benefits.
Use your fingers or small scissors to gently snip only the fully open flower heads. Avoid pulling on the stems to prevent damaging the plant. Collect the flowers in a basket or tray with good airflow to keep them fresh until you’re ready to dry them.
Only the flower heads are used for tea. Leaves and stems tend to be bitter and don’t contribute positively to the flavor.
How to Dry Chamomile Flowers to Prepare for Tea
Drying is a vital step in learning how do you make chamomile tea from the plant because it preserves the delicate flowers and their beneficial compounds. After harvesting, spread the flowers out in a thin layer on a screen, paper towel, or drying rack placed in a well-ventilated, shaded area.
Avoid drying in direct sunlight as this can cause the flowers to lose their fragrance and potency. Turn the flowers every day to ensure even drying. It usually takes about 5 to 7 days for them to become fully dry and crisp.
If you prefer, you can use a food dehydrator set to a low temperature (around 95–100°F or 35–38°C) to speed up the process. Store the dried flowers in an airtight container away from heat and light for the best shelf life.
How Do You Make Chamomile Tea from the Plant? Step-by-Step Brewing Guide
Now that you have dried chamomile flowers, it’s time to answer the main question: how do you make chamomile tea from the plant? Brewing chamomile tea is simple and requires only a few steps.
- Measure about 1 tablespoon of dried chamomile flowers for every 8-ounce cup of tea.
- Place the flowers in a tea infuser, teapot, or directly in your cup.
- Pour hot water (about 200°F or 93°C) over the flowers.
- Cover and steep for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea.
- Strain the flowers and pour the tea into your favorite mug.
For added flavor, you can sweeten with honey, add a slice of lemon, or blend with fresh herbs like mint. Enjoying this tea fresh from your garden truly highlights the benefits of knowing how do you make chamomile tea from the plant firsthand.
Health Benefits of Chamomile Tea from Your Garden
Beyond the pleasure of gardening and brewing, chamomile tea offers numerous health benefits. It has been traditionally used to relieve stress, improve sleep, soothe digestive issues, and reduce inflammation.
Modern studies confirm that compounds in chamomile, like apigenin, bind to brain receptors promoting relaxation and reducing insomnia [1]. The antioxidants in chamomile also help fight inflammation and may support immune health [2].
By making your own tea, you ensure freshness and purity, avoiding additives and preservatives found in commercial blends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What part of the chamomile plant is used for tea?
Only the chamomile flower heads are used to make tea. These small, daisy-like blooms contain the essential oils and beneficial compounds that give chamomile tea its calming flavor. Leaves and stems are generally not used as they tend to be bitter.
How to grow chamomile to make tea?
To grow chamomile for tea, plant seeds in well-drained soil with full sun exposure. Sow seeds lightly on the surface and keep soil moist until germination. Thin seedlings to allow 8–10 inches of space. With proper care, chamomile blooms in late spring and summer.
How to harvest chamomile to make tea?
Harvest chamomile flowers in the morning after dew dries but before heat peaks. Snip only fully open flower heads gently to avoid damaging plants. Collect flowers in a basket with airflow. Harvest regularly during bloom season for the best tea quality.
What does chamomile tea do for a woman’s body?
Chamomile tea supports women’s health by promoting relaxation, easing menstrual cramps, and improving sleep quality. It also soothes digestion and reduces inflammation. Its natural antioxidants can help balance hormones and relieve stress, making it a popular herbal remedy for women.
How to use fresh chamomile leaves?
Fresh chamomile leaves are rarely used alone due to their bitter taste. However, they can be added sparingly to teas or infused in oils for mild flavor and aroma. Most tea recipes focus on the flowers, but fresh leaves may complement herbal blends in small amounts.
Final Thoughts from a Backyard Gardener
If you’ve been curious about how do you make chamomile tea from the plant, I hope this guide has helped you see how simple and rewarding the process can be. Growing, harvesting, drying, and brewing your own chamomile tea connects you to nature in a meaningful way.
Not only do you get a delicious, calming beverage, but you also gain the satisfaction of producing something from seed to cup right in your own backyard.
Next time you sit down with a warm mug of chamomile tea, you’ll appreciate every step it took to get there—and that’s the magic of gardening.
You Can Also Read:
How to Eliminate Garlic Odor in the House: A Gardener’s Guide
When to Plant Garlic in Michigan: A Gardener’s Guide for a Bountiful Harvest
How to Grow Garlic in Michigan: A Backyard Gardener’s Guide
What Is Frost Temperature for Plants? A Backyard Gardener’s Guide
Will One Night of Frost Kill My Plants? A Backyard Gardener’s Guide
References
- Srivastava, J. K., Shankar, E., & Gupta, S. (2010). Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future. Molecular Medicine Reports, 3(6), 895–901. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/
- Bone, K. (2003). A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs: Herbal Formulations for the Individual Patient. Churchill Livingstone.
