Thursday, June 6, 2013

Pineapple Weed: American Chamomile



Pineapple weed (Matricaria matricariodes)
Pineapple weed is the first medicinal herb I learned in the wild country of northern Minnesota. Like plantain, it grows in an incredibly broad climate range. A close American relative of European chamomile (Matricaria recutita), pineapple weed shares many of the same medicinal qualities: a soothing nervine, calming digestive tonic. It commonly grows in driveways and gravelly areas, so it is especially important to avoid harvesting flowerheads from high traffic areas. Also, only harvest summer flower heads as they are more flavorful and better medicine. Pineapple weed makes a yummy tincture, or can be dried and taken as tea.