From Bloom to Brew: How to Harvest and Dry Chamomile for Herbal Tea

Inspiration from my ever wild garden that keeps surprising me with its hidden gems amongst the beauty

This summer, chamomile has quietly taken over corners of my garden, spilling out from raised beds, popping up between paving stones, and unfurling its delicate, daisy-like blossoms under the heat of what feels like the endless summer sun. I hadn’t planned for such an abundance, but its gentle persistence has felt like a gift. Each time I brush past a cluster, the sweet scent rises up and is a reminder to slow down, breathe, and listen - something I have needed to be nudged to do alot recently. It’s this unexpected bounty that inspired me to begin harvesting and drying chamomile for tea: a simple way to preserve the season’s calm and carry its comfort into cooler months.

There’s something deeply satisfying about making your own herbal tea, as there is with any preserving of homegrown bounty. Chamomile, with its gentle, apple-like aroma and soothing properties, is one of the easiest and most rewarding herbs to grow and preserve. Whether you're cultivating a patch in your garden or foraging from a local source, learning how to harvest and dry chamomile can help to transform these delicate blossoms into a tea that calms both the nerves and the senses.