German Chamomile

Naming

Common names include wild chamomile, Hungarian chamomile, pineapple weed , and scented mayweed . Chamomile blue refers to chamazulene, the purified deep blue essential oil derived using steam distillation rather than the plant itself. Hungarian chamomile has a reputation for being incorrectly prepared because it is dried at a temperature above the boiling point of the volatile components of the plant.

The word chamomile comes from the Greek ''χαμαίμηλον'' meaning "earth-apple", which is derived from ''χαμαί'' meaning "on the ground" and ''μήλον'' meaning "apple". It is so called because of the apple-like scent of the plant.

Distribution

Matricaria chamomilla can be found near populated areas all over Europe and temperate Asia, and it has been widely introduced in temperate North America and Australia. It often grows near roads, around landfills, and in cultivated fields as a weed because the seeds require open soil to survive.

Reproduction

Soil Type: German chamomile will tolerate many soils, but prefers a sandy, well-drained soil with a pH of 7.0-7.5 and lots of sun.

Cultivation: Space plants 15–30 cm apart. Chamomile does not require large amounts of fertilizer but depending on soil tests, small amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium should be applied before planting.

The amounts of major nutrients that German chamomile needs for growing and reproduction are:
⤷ C = Carbon 430,000 ppm
⤷ H = Hydrogen 60,000 ppm
⤷ O = Oxygen 430,000 ppm
⤷ P = Phosphorus 2,000 ppm
⤷ K = Potassium 10,000 ppm
⤷ N = Nitrogen 8,500 ppm
⤷ S = Sulfur 1,000 ppm
⤷ Ca = Calcium 5,000 ppm
⤷ Mg = Magnesium 2,000 ppm

Uses

Chamomile is also used cosmetically, primarily to make a rinse for blonde hair, and as a yellow dye for fabrics.

Cultural

Chamomile is sometimes known as "the plant doctor", because it is thought to help the growth and health of many other plants, especially ones that produce essential oils. It is thought to increase production of those oils, making certain herbs, like mints and basil stronger in scent and flavour.

Chamomile tea is also thought to be useful to suppress fungal growth, for example, misting it over seedlings may prevent damping off.

Chamomile is frequently an invasive species in agricultural fields. Farmers often must control chamomile's spread to maintain productivity of their fields.