Topic: Chamomile tea ???

[Wrennie]

I have a nice little patch of chamomile growing. Marton likes chamomile tea. Does anyone know how to make it? What part(s) of the plant are used? Dry it first (I assume)?? help.....

[Penny]

Exactly....cut  when the plant has flowers Wren, dry them, and use the dried flowers to make your tea as you normally would, strain after pouring in the boiling water, and add milk or sugar if you like......my MIL makes her own tea that way...she add's about a teaspoon each time she makes a cup.

[barleychown]

Commercial harvesters use a big handheld scoop-like thing with a rake along the front...they rake the tops of the plants and it pops the flowers off.

Be careful not to heat them excessively while drying...solar is best. I like putting foil on the grates of the BBQ, and then closing the lid. No bugs, wind isn't a problem, and the black of the BBQ adds just a bit of warmth.