Re: chamomile

Thanks for your response, Arzeena. Here is what I found yesterday on the web:

English and German Chamomile: English and German chamomile are harvest in 
similar ways. The flowers and upper stems are harvested in the morning when 
they are dry in order to gain the most oil from the harvest (Peplow, 1982).
German chamomile is harvested when the flowers are fully open. The flowers 
of either chamomile either are then distilled for oil or are used fresh, 
frozen or dried. It is better to use the flower immediately or freeze them 
because the dried flowers loose volatile oil when not used right away (Carr 
et al., 1987). These methods are appropriate for large companies or home 
herbalists.
(Source: Written by: Sarah Hiley, Subject: Biology 315, February 16, 1999, 
Biology Department, Queen's University, Kingston Ontario)

I also forgot to mention that my ladybugs seem to enjoy the chamomile 
plants, as well.

Pat
Zone 7, Maryland


>I figure if you're harvesting the half-opened buds, you might as well throw
>in the fully opened ones too.  Most of the dried chamomile that I get in tea
>mixes looks like it was fully opened.
>
>I think you want to stick to German chamomile. I'm not sure if English
>chamomile is that same as Roman which is definitely not as sweet tasting or
>as aromatic as the German type.  The Roman type is more often used as an
>ornamental alternative to grass for lawns.
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