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I am fascinated and drawn to the idea of backyard wildcrafting. I can’t think of anything more frugal than foraging edible and medicinal “weeds” from your own yard. The trouble is, I don’t have a yard! While our apartment has a shared green space, it’s sprayed regularly by landscapers with who knows what, as well as by the many dogs who live here.
But this year, we rented a community garden plot for the first time. A few weeks ago, I saw what I assumed was a rogue chamomile sprout popping up among my carrot greens. But as it grew and began to flower, I realized this was an entirely different plant! After a bit of research, I discovered this opportunistic garden resident is a common weed in this part of the country known as pineapple weed or wild chamomile.
What is Pineapple Weed and How to Find It
Matricaria discoidea closely resembles the more familiar varieties of chamomile with the little white flowers. But pineapple weed is characterized by it’s petalless or “rayless” yellow-green flower heads. It has feathery forked leaves (also edible) and grows low to the ground. It is easily identifiable by its distinctive sweet pineapple-chamomile aroma when crushed!
Growing up in the Southern US, I don’t recall ever having seen this plant before. But pineapple weed is quite common all along the west coast of North America from Alaska to California (as well as in other parts of the world). You’ll often find it growing in gravel, driveways, and other locations with compact and disturbed soil. (In my garden plot, it popped up in the mulched pathway.) For this reason, be cautious where you harvest because it might have been sprayed with a toxic weed killer or polluted from foot or car traffic. (Source)
How to Use Pineapple Weed
Wild chamomile is edible and is a wonderful medicinal with uses similar to “traditional” German chamomile. According to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, “The genus name, Matricaria, comes from the Latin word for uterus, referring to some species’ use in relieving cramps.” The flowers have been used in traditional and folk medicine for centuries to aid digestion, promote relaxation and sleepiness, and as a mild pain reliever.
Perhaps the most common way to use it is in a delicious and simple cup of tea! Pineapple weed tea is lightly sweet and tastes of pineapple and chamomile. But the flowers also make a tasty addition to salads or in baked goods, like these yummy looking cookies. And the dried flower heads can be infused in oil– a project I can’t wait to try!
How to Make Relaxing Pineapple Weed Tea
Ingredients
- 1-2 Tablespoons of pineapple weed flower heads (harvested from a clean location)
- 1 cup of boiling water
- Optional: a drizzle of honey
To Make the Tea
- Gently crush fresh flower heads and place in a tea ball or directly into a cup.
- Pour about 1 cup of boiling water over herbs and steep for 10 minutes or to taste.
- Remove tea ball or strain out flower heads.
- Enjoy hot, with a drizzle of honey, or pour over ice!
TIP: If using dried flower heads, use half the amount.
A word of caution. Some folks do report an allergic reaction to pineapple weed. You may want to taste a small amount and wait a day or so before diving into a cup of tea, particularly if you have known allergies to other plants in the aster family (like daisies, dahlias, and sunflowers.)
Wild and Free!
I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to finally do a bit of wildcrafting! Have you seen this beautiful tropical smelling pineapple weed in your yard? What is your favorite plant to forage from your home? Let’s chat- comment below!
Pineapple Weed Tea
Pineapple weed, or wild chamomile, has been used in folk medicine for centuries to aid digestion, promote relaxation and sleepiness, and as a mild pain reliever. This common “weed” makes a delicious, lightly sweet pineapple and chamomile flavored tea!
Ingredients
- 1 – 2 Tablespoons of Pineapple weed flower heads (harvested from a clean location)
- 1 cup of boiling water
- Optional: a drizzle of honey
Instructions
- Gently crush fresh flower heads and place in a tea ball or directly into a cup.
- Pour about 1 cup of boiling water over herbs and steep for 10 minutes or to taste.
- Remove tea ball or strain out flower heads.
- Enjoy hot, with a drizzle of honey, or over ice.
Notes
TIP: if using dried flower heads, use half the amount.
A word of caution: Some folks do report an allergic reaction to Pineapple weed. You may want to taste a small amount and wait a day or so before diving into a cup of tea, particularly if you have known allergies to other plants in the aster family (like daisies, dahlias, and sunflowers.)
This Is great. Thank you so much.
You’re welcome! Enjoy your tea 🙂