Wild Chamomile

Fall turns to winter, and winter turns to Spring.

Here in California we are blessed with our own version of the seasons.

Or rather the earth’s expression of seasons. After the rains we can see a blossom unfurling. Things are teaming with life and bursting at the seems with color and their own unique expressions of existence.

With this comes the time to check in and practice noticing, what plants and medicine are now surrounding you.

So, this morning on my walk I said hi to old friends and hello to new ones. While some plants are now flowering, others appear to be brand new in this season.

And today, I noticed a bounty of wild chamomile, or pineapple weed growing abundantly along one of my favorite trails.

It is always amazing to me how nature provides the medicine we need exactly when we need it. When I see chamomile growing wild like this I see a message to remember to relax. Often spring comes with this bubbling of excitement and energy. A time of creation where many are bursting with energy. Feeling on the preface of something. Coming out of a winter hibernation, feeling ready to do all the things.

Wild chamomile reminds us to slow down and be with the medicine. To cleanse and renew after the deep rest of winter. And to do so at a snails pace. Chamomile says “honey, there is no rush.” I also feel like this is a reminder to pace ourselves so that come summer we are not burnt out by all of the energy we put into flowering in the spring.

Now, for the monograph… Enjoy!

Matricaria discoidea is also known as pineapple weed or wild chamomile. This low growing plant likes to pop up along foot paths, in disturbed fields, and along roadsides in early spring and summer. Unlike true chamomile in that it does not grow those white flower petals. Rather it has a yellow, greenish dome like cone called a capitula. The capitula themselves contain densely packed yellowish green corollas. Each plant typically has at least 5 capitula. Pineapple weed spreads easily through its seeds. Which explains why they are so frivolous along walking paths. Each capitula has a fragrant pineapple or apple like smell that is released when you squeeze one of those buds. Matricaria species have flattened style branches that help with the transfer of pollen. 

Wild Chamonile/Pineapple weed (Matricaria discoidea):

Family: Asteraceae

Native habitat: Native America, northern Asia and Europe

Parts Used:

• Flowers, leaves, stems

Herbal Energetics:

Temperature: Warming & cooling

Moisture: Moistening

Tone: Relaxant

Tastes:

Sweet & bitter

Identification: 

1. Leaves:pinnately divided, green, flattened brackets

2. Stems: erect, highly branched, smooth

3. Flowers: yellowish green cones, squishy but actually hollow inside, composed of many florets

4. Roots: shallow root system with many secondary fibrous roots, the taproot descends directly from the seed in a downward direction

Herbal Actions:

• Digestive

• Anti-inflammatory

• Antispasmodic

• Carminative (relieves gas)

• Vulnerary (wound healing)

• Diaphoretic (helps cool body by helping you to sweat)

• Spasmolytic

• Nervine

Tissue States:

Wild chamomile may help balance these tissue states:

-wind tension

-dry/atrophy

-cold/depression

Please remember to always use at least 3 identification sources when wildcrafting. Also be mindful of where you are harvesting. For example, making sure the plants are not near roadways or somewhere they can become polluted by exhaust or pesticides.

Disclaimer: These articles are for educational purposes only, they are not a substitution for professional medical advice, and as the reader you are responsible for your own health decisions.