| What is the best way to dry or otherwise preserve chamomile? Should I use the tiny leaves or flowers or both? |
| According to Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs, the flowers of chamomile are dried and used as tea. Harvest the flowers for drying when the petals begin to turn back on the disk. Allow the flowers to air dry until completely dry, then store in an air-tight container. The oils are concentrated in the flowers, not the leaves, so the leaves are not generally used. There are a number of look-alike plants, so be certain your plant is true chamomile before harvesting and using the flowers. |
