Discover the benefits and learn how to cultivate it yourself.
After a long day of attending to my farm chores, my evenings used to end with a nice glass of Cabernet or Pinot Nior. I began to notice that I wasn't getting good quality of sleep; I would sometimes wake up with night sweats or find myself fighting an anxiety attack. It took me a while to nail it down, but I finally figured out that it was the wine (as painful as it is to admit it). I made the switch to some night-time teas and I was hooked!
Among my favorites is the charming organic chamomile tea.
Health Benefits - Goes way beyond sleep
Chamomile tea offers a range of health benefits due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and mild astringent properties. Some of the notable health benefits include:
 1. Improved Sleep and Relaxation: Chamomile is widely known for its calming effects, which can help reduce anxiety and promote better sleep. It is often used as a natural remedy for insomnia.
2. Digestive Health: Chamomile tea can aid in digestion and relieve gastrointestinal issues such as indigestion, gas, and stomach cramps. It may also help soothe irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms.
3. Anti-Inflammatory Effects: The tea contains compounds that reduce inflammation, which can help with conditions like arthritis and other inflammatory disorders.
4. Immune System Support: Chamomile has antibacterial properties that can help boost the immune system and protect against infections.
5. Skin Health: Due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, chamomile can be beneficial for skin health. It may help soothe skin irritations, eczema, and minor burns when applied topically or consumed as tea.
6. Heart Health: Some studies suggest that chamomile tea can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, contributing to overall heart health.
7. Menstrual Pain Relief: I have 3 daughters, so this is a big one! Chamomile tea may help alleviate menstrual cramps and pain due to its muscle-relaxing properties.
8. Blood Sugar Control: Some research indicates that chamomile tea can help lower blood sugar levels, which may be beneficial for individuals with diabetes and pre-diabetes (which is unfortunately rising in shocking rates).
Regular consumption of chamomile tea can contribute to overall well-being, but it is important to consult with a healthcare provider if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medication, as chamomile can interact with certain drugs.
Become your own Zen Master - Grow your own tea
Moving out onto our farm, I have tried to cut out the middle-man as much as possible and have tackled making many of our household goods. I've dabbled in detergents, cleaners, butter, so I figured I would give growing my own tea a shot. And y'all, it was so much easier than I thought it would be.
Why should you grow the tea yourself? It would be so much easier to go to the grocery store, pick up a box of tea, and go home to brew it. I completely agree, but it's not nearly as fun!
There have been scientific studies done to prove that getting your hands dirty, can reduce stress and inflammation. This isn't a science blog so I'm not going to go into the details, but I can attest to this. I have found it my personal therapy.
Our food industry is shady (to put it mildly), and knowing what exactly goes into your food and into your body is knowledge that I truly believe every person should be privy to. What is the best way to know exactly what is inside your food and drink? Make as much of it as possible.
"If you have time for drama then you're not gardening enough." – some unknown genius
Plastic tea bags (which are common with store bought teas) contain BPA, a chemical involved with making plastics that mimics estrogen in the body. I listened to a podcast and they listed the side effects of BPA. The list was so long that I zoned out and had to rewind to hear what I missed. The list includes (but definitely not limited to): hormonal imbalances, reproductive issues, anxiety, depress, obesity, insulin resistance, and heart disease. I recommend using a stainless steel tea diffuser.
You don't have to be a gardening expert
If I can do it, trust me, you can too!
I simply went to my local home & garden store and pick up a packet of organic chamomile seed - something I strongly think you can do.
You want to pick a location that has full - to - partial sunlight. The more sun, the better.
Chamomile likes sandy soil with plenty of drainage. The experts says the pH should be between 5.6 to 7.5. My handy husband actually had a soil testing kit, and our was 6.5.
Planting the seeds
Ok, I must warn you: once you plant your seeds, you'll want to check every 30 minutes to see if there has been any growth. Just me, there isn't.
• Indoors: Use seed trays or small pots with seed-starting mix. Sprinkle seeds on the surface and lightly press them into the soil without covering them completely.
• Outdoors: Scatter seeds on the soil surface and lightly press them in. Keep the soil moist until germination.
• Transplanting: Transplant seedlings outdoors when they are 2-3 inches tall, spacing them about 8-12 inches apart.
Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Chamomile is somewhat drought-tolerant once established.
Bam - there you go! You have your own chamomile plant.... but what about the tea, Kara??? It's even easier than planting the seed...
Harvesting the magic
Once the sweet little petals are fully opened, they are ready to pick.
The stems, leaves, and roots can add a bitter taste to the tea. I recommend plucking just the flowers in the morning, after the dew has dried.
Place the flowers in a single layer on the plate or drying rack. Every couple of days, give them a little jumble to insure all the petals can dry evenly.
In a week or so, you have your own, deliciously smelling tea.
After a long day, ditch the alcohol and turn to your handywork (or the store bought box) for a soothing cup of chamomile. Your body will thank you! I betcha a little smile will come to your face, knowing that you made that cup all by yourself. I'm proud of you.
Feel free, to come to LTD Farms in Anderson, TX and tell me all about it!
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