Chamomile is a field flower, one of the most beautiful plants in the free fields of Russia. It is a perennial plant, the beneficial properties of which are actively used in traditional and folk medicine. Apart from this, chamomile is known as a delicious honey plant. It is also known that field chamomiles are in demand in cosmetology, they are added to various masks for the face, body and hair. North America is considered the birthplace of chamomile.

Field chamomile: medicinal properties and description

Field chamomile is a miniature herb with a taproot system. The inflorescences are shaped like baskets. Flowering continues from early summer until the first frost. In the wild, it can be found in all corners of Russia. The most favorite places are roadsides and vacant lots. You can often find this wildflower next to cornflowers.

The plant has excellent cold resistance and good adaptive properties. If this wild plant is planted in a summer cottage, then you will have to carefully monitor its distribution, since after flowering a large number of seeds are formed.

When growing field chamomile in a personal plot, it is better to give preference to sandy, alkaline and drained soils. The easiest and most common breeding method is to sow seeds. Chamomile is a light-loving crop, so the site should be well lit. The depth of immersion of seeds in the soil should not exceed 1 cm.

Field chamomile

Healing properties and contraindications for use

The medicinal properties of field chamomile are due to its chemical composition. The plant contains essential oils, vegetable protein, salicylic acid, polyunsaturated fatty acids, apiin, mucus, azulene, and a loading dose of vitamins E, C, B and K.

Due to its rich chemical composition, the use of field chamomile has the following beneficial properties for the human body:

  • Increase of the human immune system - the body's resistance to aggressive pathogenic microorganisms increases.
  • Normalizes the work of the digestive tract, increases appetite and food is better absorbed.
  • Relieves or reduces the manifestation of symptoms of an allergic reaction.
  • Disinfects wounds.
  • Relieves spasms, reduces inflammation and bleeding.
  • It does not have the effect of sleeping pills, but at the same time it is characterized by a pronounced sedative effect.
  • Normalizes the activity of the stomach, liver and kidneys.
  • Cleanses the skin, giving it a shine and radiance.
  • Activates the work of hair follicles, stimulates hair growth.

Important! All products of natural origin can provoke the development of an allergic reaction; a test must be carried out before using chamomile.

Despite the large number of useful properties, do not forget about contraindications.

  • Decoctions and tinctures of field chamomile are contraindicated for pregnant women. The flower stimulates the production of the hormone estrogen, which leads to hormonal imbalance, and this is fraught with irreparable consequences. During breastfeeding, preparations with chamomile extract can be taken, but with extreme caution.
  • Contraindications may be chronic diseases, due to which you have to take medications on an ongoing basis.In this case, the attending physician can approve the use of chamomile.
  • Abuse of products based on chamomile field can lead to the development of migraines, bleeding, vomiting, and increased blood pressure.
  • Individual intolerance, leading to the development of an allergic reaction, is rare, but you should not forget about it.

Attention! Treatment of a child with chamomile is possible only after four months. At first, concentrated decoctions and infusions should not be used. Even newborns can bathe in chamomile.

Types of field daisies

Blue daisy

Today in nature there are about 20 varieties of chamomile. During flowering, all of them form flowers of amazing beauty, and some of them have a large number of healing properties.

  • Meadow chamomile... Alternative name Common Nivyanik. Grows actively in the European part of the continent. The height of the plant can reach 1 m, and the diameter of the inflorescences is approximately 7 cm.
  • Chamomile - this variety has a characteristic and persistent aroma. They look attractive, white oblong petals and a yellow core. The plant can reach a height of 30 cm. The plant can be propagated using rhizomes or seeds.
  • Small field chamomile- This variety belongs to the Astrov family, it is most common in gardens, meadows, fields and flower beds. The height of such flowers, as a rule, does not exceed 40 cm. The plant is perennial, it is often used in medicine, cooking, cosmetology, veterinary medicine, etc. It blooms from early June until the first frost. Possesses good frost resistance. It reproduces mostly by self-seeding.
  • Yellow medicinal chamomile (pharmacy) - the height of this plant, as a rule, does not exceed half a meter. Dill-like miniature leaf plates develop. The most popular varieties of pharmacy chamomile: Caucasian, South, Golden.

Small field chamomile

Important! In veterinary medicine, chamomile is given to rabbits, pigs, dogs, sheep and cattle. In horticulture, chamomile helps in the fight against mosquitoes, caterpillars, aphids and ticks.

Tips and tricks for collection and procurement

The ideal time to harvest chamomile is when it blooms. Experienced agronomists try to harvest it around the fifth day after blooming. At this time, the inflorescences look as follows: the petals are in a horizontal position, the core is not fully open. It is during this period that the maximum concentration of nutrients is concentrated in the plant.

Small chamomile

The process of harvesting medicinal field chamomile is not so simple. The whole algorithm is divided into several stages.

Attention! The collection should be done in dry and warm weather. The inflorescences must be carefully removed from the stem by hand or using a special tool. It is forbidden to pull out the plant along with the root system.

Collecting inflorescences

The duration of the flowering culture is from May to the end of September. For the entire growing season, the collection can be carried out three times.

After flowering, chamomile loses its beneficial properties, and it makes no sense to make blanks from such material.

Important! Avoid picking the plant in polluted areas, such as along the side of a road or near industrial facilities.

Drying flowers

The correctness of this stage will determine how useful the resulting product will be. If you harvest only flowers without stems, then they must be evenly spread out in one layer on a flat, clean surface: flooring, windowsill or newspaper.

It is necessary to exclude direct exposure to sunlight, they should be stored in partial shade. In a room with laid out flowers, it is desirable to ensure good air circulation.

If the flower was collected together with the stem, then the plants are collected in bunches, tied and hung in a dark, dry room with good ventilation.

How to dry chamomile

The product is ready when it becomes rusty and dry.

During drying, turn all the collected material regularly.Thanks to this simple procedure, air circulation will be ensured, which will allow the raw materials to dry faster. Drying time is usually no more than two weeks. With about 1 kg of fresh raw materials, no more than 250 g of dry comes out.

Attention! You should not dry field chamomile in electric dryers and cabinets, because as a result of heat treatment, most of the useful and nutritious substances are lost.

The final stage is preparation for storage

There are several options:

  • Perhaps the easiest is to arrange the inflorescences in dry and clean cardboard boxes. Store in a cool and dark place.
  • Not difficult, but more expensive option. For implementation, you will need to purchase special glass jars. Dry chamomile looks very attractive in them, containers can be decorated and used for interior decoration.
  • Cloth bags. In this case, it is necessary to use bags made of natural, undyed and clean fabrics. The dried material is carefully laid out in bags and hung on the wall. In this case, the flowers will retain their shape and do not lose their original appearance.

Chamomile is a unique plant, the beneficial properties of which can be used for the benefit of yourself, your family and your pets.