How to Dry Chamomile Flowers

Chamomile has been used for thousands of years, in both children and adults, and is rumored to help mouth ulcers, skin conditions, upset stomach, gas, nervous conditions, sleeplessness and some chronic pain. Studies are still being performed on this herb. Drying chamomile flowers for use in tea, ointments, capsules, or in a mouth rinse can be a big money saver. There are two types of Chamomile used for healthy supplimentation; Roman and German
Chamomile. Latin Names: Matricaria recutita, and Chamomilla recutita.
I personally prefer the German Chamomile, because its commonly found in any garden center, or grocery store in the herbal
section. Chamomile is easy to grow on your own for convenience.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Colander
• Bowl large enough to fit Colander in with room to spare
• Salt
• Chamomile flowers
• Depending on method of drying:
• 2 clean window screens
• 2 cinder blocks, or saw horses
• Pan, or cookie sheet
• parchment paper
• paper towels
• Clean dish towels, or a salad spinner
• clean airtight jars.

1. You must pick the fresh flowers first thing in the morning. Try to find ones that have no spots, or haven't been eaten by bugs. Fill
   a colander with the fresh flowers, set aside. Fill a bowl with cool water, add 4 tablespoons of table salt to the water. Set the colander with the fresh flowers into the bowl of water. Swish the flowers around in the salt water to remove any hidden bugs, scoop off any bugs, chafe, or any other floaters in the water. let flowers soak for 10 min. Remove the colander from the water. Empty the bowl of salt water, fill again with cool water, set the colander back into the clean water, swish around for a minute. Remove the colander again, shake any excess water from the colander. You can use a salad spinner to dry the flowers, or you can gently roll them in a few dish towels, or paper towels, let set out for 20 min to dry off.

2. If you want to Air dry the chamomile, you will need a flat pan, or cookie sheet. Line with paper towels, place flowers on the paper towels, not touching one another. Place in a well ventilated room,
   with a paper towel covering them (to keep the dust from getting to them).
   This will take about 3 days to a week depending on humidity. Check them
   daily to make sure they don't mold. If they start molding, throw them out start again..DO NOT USE MOLDY HERBS. Find a different spot to dry
   them. There was not enough circulation in the area you were drying them, or you didn't dry them off enough when starting out.

3. If you want to Sundry your Chamomile: Follow step one for cleaning and drying the Chamomile. Then place on a clean window screen, not touching one another, place another screen on top and place on two saw horse, bricks, or anywhere where air can circulate through the screen, in the Full Sun. This can take up to 6 hours to dry. Pick a day when it won't be cloudy, and relatively LOW humidity

4. If you want to Oven Dry your chamomile: Follow Step one for cleaning and drying the chamomile. Place on a pan lined with parchment paper. Heat oven to 200 degrees, place rack in the oven to the bottom most level. Turn oven off, place tray with camomile on it not touching one another, on the bottom most rack. Leave oven door open a crack, check once an hour for 4 hours to test for dryness. If still not dry after 4 hours, remove chamomile, reheat oven to 200 degrees before you put chamomile back in the oven. Make sure you turn oven off. Repeat. Keeping oven door cracked.

5. Once your Chamomile is dry, you can place in an airtight jar, and store for up to 4-6 months in a cool dry place.. You can crush
   the dried camomile or leave it whole. Depending on how your recipe
   calls for it.

Tips & Warnings

• Check with your doctor before using any type of herbs. Some Herbs react with medications, or complicate some conditions. People allergic to ragweed, marigolds, daisy's, Chrysanthemums should not use this herb. Allergic reactions can be, but not limited to, skin rashes, throat swelling, anaphylaxis. Please use caution when using any herbs.