10 Creative Ways to Use Chamomile From Your Garden

Chamomile is a beloved herb known for its mild sedative and soothing properties. The pretty, daisy-like flowers of this highly useful plant grace gardens across North America. If you’re lucky enough to have chamomile growing in your own yard, there are so many wonderful ways to put it to use!

Keep reading for 10 creative ways to use the chamomile harvest from your garden:

1. Make Chamomile Tea

One of the most classic uses for chamomile is brewing it into a calming, comforting tea. Chamomile tea boasts a sweet, apple-like flavor and has been enjoyed for centuries as a relaxing nighttime or post-meal beverage.

To make chamomile tea from your garden harvest

• Pick the fresh flowers on a dry, sunny day.
• Spread the flowers out to dry completely.
• Store the dried flowers in an airtight container.
• To brew, pour 8 oz boiling water over 2 tablespoons dried flowers.
• Steep for 5-10 minutes, then strain out the flowers.
• Sweeten with honey if desired.

Sip a cup in the evening to promote relaxation and sleep.

2. Create Chamomile Skin Care Products

The anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties of chamomile make it a fantastic addition to lotions, salves, creams, and more. Infuse oil with chamomile flowers to create a chamomile herbal oil or hydrosol to use in homemade skin care recipes.

Some products to try making

• Chamomile body butter
• Chamomile and calendula salve
• Facial toner with chamomile hydrosol
• Chamomile, honey and oatmeal face mask
• Chamomile bubble bath

Your skin will love being pampered with these floral creations!

3. Craft Chamomile Soap

Handmade chamomile soap makes a lovely gift from the garden. To create it:

• Infuse your olive, coconut or other soapmaking oils with dried chamomile flowers.
• Use the infused oil to make a simple chamomile soap recipe.
• Add honey or oats to the soap batter for extra skin benefits.
• Swirl in blue, yellow or white naturally colored clays for visual appeal.

Chamomile is one of the only herbs that retains a delicate floral scent even after being incorporated into cold process soap.

4. Blend Herbal Teas

For a more robust, complex herbal tea, blend dried chamomile with other herbs from your garden, like:

• Peppermint – For improved digestion
• Lemon balm – For stress relief
• Rose petals – For a floral flavor
• Lavender – For relaxation
• Ginger – For nausea relief

Experiment with different herb combinations to create custom tea blends. Store them in pretty tins or jars labeled with the ingredients and suggested uses.

5. Craft DIY Chamomile Candles

Bring the sweet scent of chamomile indoors by making easy chamomile container candles.

To create them:

• Find small heat-safe containers like ramekins or mini jars.
• Place a few dried chamomile flowers in the bottom of each container.
• Fill the rest of the way with soy wax flakes.
• Add a cotton wick.
• Melt the wax carefully in the oven or a double boiler.
• Let candles cool completely before lighting.

The flowers will provide subtle visual interest and a light fragrance.

6. Make Chamomile Lemonade

Quench your thirst with a batch of refreshing chamomile lemonade on hot summer days.

To make it:

• In a pitcher, steep 1⁄4 cup dried chamomile flowers in 2 cups hot water for 5-10 minutes.
• Strain out the flowers.
• Stir in 1 cup lemon juice, 1 cup honey or sugar, and 4-5 cups cold water.
• Add ice cubes and sliced lemons to serve.

It’s the perfect non-caffeinated, herb-infused beverage.

7. Create Floral Ice Cubes

Preserve your garden’s beauty and fragrance by freezing chamomile flowers into whimsical floral ice cubes.

• Fill ice cube trays most of the way with water.
• Place a small chamomile blossom in each compartment.
• Freeze overnight.
• Add the chamomile ice cubes to summer drinks for a refreshing surprise.

You can also freeze pansies, violets, rose petals and other edible flowers into ice cubes.

8. Craft Chamomile Bath & Body Gifts

Pamper friends and family by gifting homemade items featuring chamomile from your garden. Some ideas:

• Chamomile bath tea bags
• Chamomile bubble bath
• Chamomile bath salts
• Chamomile lotion or body butter
• Chamomile lip balm
• Chamomile facial toner

Package the items creatively in jars, baskets or boxes for beautiful, thoughtful gifts. Include a tag listing the ingredients and suggested uses.

9. Make Flavored Sugar

Infuse sugar with chamomile flowers to create a unique sweetener for teas, baked goods, and more.

• Place alternating layers of dried flowers and sugar in a jar.
• Allow to sit for 1-2 weeks until the sugar takes on the scent and flavor.
• Strain out the chamomile and transfer the sugar to a fresh airtight container.

Try combining chamomile sugar and lavender sugar to make a floral herbal sugar blend.

10. Add to Potpourri

Dried chamomile flowers can be incorporated into homemade potpourri along with other fragrant garden ingredients like rose petals, lavender, lemon verbena, eucalyptus, and spices.

To make it:

• Cut and dry an assortment of colorful petals, leaves, buds and flowers.
• Layer the plant materials in a jar, adding a few drops of essential oil for extra fragrance.
• Allow to cure for 1-2 weeks before use.
• Display a bowl of the potpourri indoors to perfume the air.

With its apple-like aroma, chamomile is sure to be a wonderful addition.

Ready to Put Your Chamomile Harvest to Use?

With its pretty white daisy flowers and sweetly relaxing properties, it’s easy to see why chamomile is a cherished herb. If you’re fortunate to grow chamomile in your own garden, you’ll find endless ways to enjoy its benefits.

From skin care to tea blends to craft projects and beyond, put your chamomile harvest to good use with these 10 creative ideas. Share the calming bounty from your garden through gifts, recipes and homemade items infused with the delicate flavor and fragrance of chamomile.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does chamomile look like?

Chamomile is an herbaceous plant with fern-like leaves and small white daisy flowers featuring yellow centers. The flowers bloom singly on relatively erect, smooth stems. Plants reach 1-2 feet tall.

What’s the best way to dry chamomile?

The best way to dry chamomile is to harvest the flowers on a dry, sunny day. Spread the flowers out in a single layer on mesh screens or trays. Place in a warm, well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight and allow to dry completely before storing.

How do you store dried chamomile?

To best preserve color, aroma and potency, store dried chamomile flowers in airtight glass jars or containers kept in a cool, dark place. Avoid plastic bags or containers. Properly stored, dried chamomile will retain its quality for up to a year.

What does chamomile tea taste like?

Chamomile tea has a pleasing mild, sweet taste often described as apple-like or honey-like. It lacks the bitterness and astringency of many other herbal tea preparations, making it very palatable even for children. It may be enjoyed plain or sweetened with honey or sugar.

What are the benefits of chamomile tea?

Chamomile tea has long been valued for its soothing, relaxing properties. It may help relieve anxiety and insomnia, settle upset stomachs, and ease muscle spasms. Some studies have found it may boost immunity and aid skin healing. It is safe for most people but should be avoided by those allergic to plants in the daisy family.

Can chamomile be used on face?

Yes, chamomile is safe and gentle enough to use on the delicate facial skin. It may help soothe and calm minor irritation. Chamomile is commonly added to facial cleansers, masks, creams and toners. Those with ragweed or daisy allergies should first do a skin patch test before using