«Zloty Lan» - Organic chamomile Seeds (Matricaria chamomilla)

An annual plant with an erect, highly branched stem 30-60 cm high. Leaves 2-5 cm long are doubly pinnate into narrow threadlike lobules, alternate, sessile. Flowers are collected in baskets on long peduncles located at the ends of the branches.

The flowering period extends from May to September. Seeds begin to germinate at 4-6 ° C, but the optimum temperature is 20-25 ° C. Under favorable conditions, 20-30 days after the emergence of seedlings, a rosette of leaves is formed. The growing season is very short: 50-70 days pass from seed germination to flowering. Each basket blooms for 8-10 days. The full development cycle takes 3-4 months.

Both winter and spring plants can develop. Before winter, a rosette of leaves is formed, and in this state the plants hibernate and bloom in early May. Chamomile should be sown in early April or late August and early September. On one running meter, 20-30 plants are left, and after overwintering - 15-20. The highest yields of chamomile are obtained on fertile soils. The row spacing is 45-60 cm, the sowing depth is no more than 0.5 cm, the seeding rate is 3 kg / ha.

During the growing season, chamomile is harvested 3-5 times. Harvesting begins at the beginning of flowering, until the inflorescence receptacle has acquired a conical shape and the white marginal ligulate flowers have descended.

Chamomile is recognized in almost all countries of the world. Chamomile inflorescences contain essential oil. The plant flowers contain flavonoids, coumarins, sitosterol, choline, carotene, ascorbic acid, isovaleric and other organic acids and polysaccharides. Chamomile preparations have an antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, sedative and some analgesic effect, increase bile secretion, have a pronounced antiulcer effect, stimulate the processes of tissue regeneration and healing.

An infusion of chamomile flowers, when taken orally, increases the secretion of the digestive glands, has a choleretic effect, reduces fermentation processes, relieves intestinal spasms. Chamomile essential oil somewhat strengthens and deepens breathing, speeds up the heart rate, dilates the vessels of the brain.

In perfumery, chamomile flowers are used in the manufacture of nourishing creams, lotions and shampoos.