Chamomile
Botanical Name: Matricaria chamomilla
Common Names: Chamomile, German Chamomile, Ground Apple, Mayweed, Whig Plant, Earth Apple [2]
Historical Names: Matricaria recutita [1]
Plant Part(s) Used: Flower Head [1]
Chamomile
Taxonomy
Subclass: Asteridae
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Matricaria
Species: Matricaria chamomilla [5]
Kingdom: Plantae
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta
Superdivision: Spermatophyta
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Population Status
Native Range: Southern and Eastern Europe [6].
Current Geographic Distribution: Dispersed throughout Europe, introduced to India during the Mughal period. Can now also be found in North Africa, Asia, North America, South America, Australia, and New Zealand [6].
Conservation Status: Widely cultivated, however wild specimens are at risk for reduced genetic diversity due to overharvesting. [6]
Actions & Energetics
Plant Part Typically Used: Flower Head [1]
Herbal Actions: Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Relaxant, Carminative, and Anti-Allergenic [11]
Herbal Energetics: (Drying/Moistening)(Warming/Cooling)(Tensing/Relaxing)
Taste: Bitter [8]
Botanical Profile
General Appearance:
Branched, erect, heavily ramified. Growing to a height of 10-80 cm. [6], Low-lying, slender stem [10]
Flower:
White flowers 10-30 mm in diameter with a golden center. Pedunculate. 11 - 27 white plant flowers 6-11 mm long, 3.5 mm wide, arranged concentrically. Yellow tubular florets with 5 teeth each 1.5-2.5 mm long, ending in a glandulous tube [6]
Leaves:
Long & Narrow. Bi- to tripinnate. Faint apple or pineapple scent [7]. Sparse, feathery, apple-green. [10]
Roots
Thin, spindle shaped. Only penetrates flatly into the soil [6]
Fruit
Yellowish-brown achene [6]
Constituents
Chamazulene essential oil (Anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic), Prozulenes, Farnesine, Alpha-Bisabolol, Spiroether (Strong Antispasmodic), Flavonoids, Anthemic Acid (Bitter glycoside), Coumarins. [11] Apagenin (bio-flavonoid that acts as a mild sedative [14].
Safety
General Safety Notes: May cause allergic reactions in those sensitive to members of the Asteraceae family [6]. Pollen contained in chamomile tea eye washes can induce allergic conjunctivitis [6]. Nutritive Tonic. Helps to nourish the body. Appropriate for daily use over an extended period of time. [9]
Safety in Pregnancy or Breastfeeding: No known contraindications.
Safety in Childhood: Gentle and safe for children in normal doses [11].
Safety in Senior Citizens: No known contraindications.
Foraging
Habitat: Roadsides, open fields, waste places [7].
Time of Year to Harvest: Summer and fall. [7] Flowers May through October [10].
Harvesting Guidelines: Pick in mid-summer while in full bloom, as this is when the active constituents are at their peak. Try to pick in mid-morning, when the dew is gone but the full heat of summer isn’t yet upon us. [11].
Processing Guidelines: Use fingers as a comb to pick off the flower head. Pluck as many as you can so the plant has a chance to grow additional flowers as the year goes on [12]. Rinse flowers under cold water in a strainer to remove impurities. Air dry plants for about two weeks, or dry them in a dehydrator set to 35 degrees celsius for about 18 hours. Store in an air-tight container in a low-light area for up to a year [14].
Cultivation
Propagation: Seeds, which as the preferred means of propagation, are sown in spring or autumn [11] Takes about 10 weeks to reach flowering maturity [13].
Soil: Prefers well-drained, organic, neutral pH (5.6 - 7.5). Poor soils often produce floppy stems. [13]
Sun: Prefers full sun to partial shade. Needs 4-6 hours direct sunlight each day, but be careful not to let things get to hot during the summer months. Extreme heat may damage the blooms [13].
Water: Keep the soil moist but not overly wet. Drought-tolerant. Allow to fully dry out before watering again. Extremely humid climates may not allow the plant to thrive [13].
Fertilizer: Does not require fertilizer [13].
USDA Zone: 2-9 [13].
Reproduction
Life Cycle: Annual [6]
Means of Pollination: Easily accessed by most insect pollinators, particularly attracting bees, wasps, hoverflies, and ladybugs [14].
Means of Seed Distribution: Able to self-seed. Seeds are typically dispersed by gravity [14].
Western Herbalism
Dermatology
Creams made from German Chamomile have shown excellent results at healing wounds [11].
Can be applied externally to itchy skin, sore nipples, and eczema [11]
Home
Can help repel mosquitoes [14].
Chamomile tea acts as a natural fungicide for plants [14].
Gastroenterology
May be used to treat stomach ulcers. Used to soothe inflammation, astringe, and protect the inner lining of the stomach and reduce excess acid production [11].
Used to treat gastric pain, indigestion, acidity, gastritis, gas, bloating, and colic [11].
Used to treat Crohn's Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome [11]/
Gynecology
An Iranian trial compared chamomile and mefenamic acid for relief of PMS. Both were found effective in relieving physical symptoms, but chamomile was superior at relieving emotional symptoms [11].
Use of a chamomile poultice on breasts can help manage pain and inflammation for post-partum mothers and mothers who breastfeed [11].
Immunology
Used to treat Hay Fever and Asthma
Proazulenes produce chamazulene (a markedly anti-allergic compound) under steam distillation [11].
Natural anti-fungal [14].
Musculoskeletal
Contains piroether, a strong antispasmodic, used to ease muscle tension and period pain [11]
Psychiatry
Flowers reduce irritability and promote sleep [11].
Pediatrics
Trials using chamomile have shown evidence of easing infant colic [11].
Helpful in promoting sleep in children [11].
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Herb Name: Huang Chu Ju [3]
Meridians: Lungs, Heart, Stomach, Liver [3]
Key Actions: Moves Qi, Releases Qi Stagnation, Tonifies the Liver, Stops Inflammation, Soothes Pain, Strengthens the Stomach, Releases to the Exterior, Clears Heat, Stops Cough, Moves Blood, Calms Shen [3]
Medicinal Uses: Emotional upsets, anxiety, headache, nightmares, depression, irregular menses with clotting, PMS, stomach ulcers, poor appetite, hypochondriac pain, swollen abdomen, sore throat, cramps, stomach spasms, wounds, bruises, skin rashes, nausea, colds, flu, fevers, asthma, bronchitis, chills and fevers at the Shao Yang and Shao Yin stages, menstrual cramps, difficult menses, insomnia, palpitations, lowers blood pressure, aids digestion, promotes smooth bowels. [3]
Ayurvedic Medicine
Herb Name: Babune ka Phal [2]
Medicinal Uses: Bitter and Aromatic properties penetrate and dry up mucus in the GI tract to stimulate digestion and expel gas. [4]
Warms up metabolism in the early spring, liquifying stagnant lymph and flushing stiffness out of your muscles. [4]
Soothes an anxious Kapha mind, relaxes headaches. [4]
May provoke excessive dryness in Vata constitutions. [4]
Preparations
Simples
Coming Soon
Blends
Coming Soon
Recipes
Coming Soon
History & Folklore
Has been used in herbal remedies for thousands of year, known in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. [6]
Believed by Anglo-Saxons as 1 of 9 sacred herbs given to humans by the Lord. [6]
Ancient Roman women used chamomile to minimize menstrual cramps [11].
Peter Rabbit was offered a hot cup of chamomile tea upon returning from his adventures [14].
Galen, Dioscorides, and Hippocrates studied chamomile and shared it in their writings [14].
Similar Species
Research
Singh, O., Khanam, Z., Misra, N., & Srivastava, M. K. (2011). Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.): An overview. Pharmacognosy reviews, 5(9), 82–95. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.79103
References
[1] Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical herbalism: The science and practice of herbal medicine. Healing Arts Press.
[2] Chamomile Benefits in Ayurveda: Relaxation, Sleep & Skin Health. (n.d.). Truemeds. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://www.truemeds.in/ayurveda/brain-health/chamomile-125
[3] A Lovely, Gentle, Powerfully Healing Herb... Chamomile. (n.d.). White Rabbit Institute of Healing. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://www.whiterabbitinstituteofhealing.com/herbs/chamomile/
[4] Chamomile Benefits (Ayurveda Insights). (n.d.). Joyful Belly. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/ingredient/Chamomile/472
[5] Matricaria recutita L. (symbol MARE6). (n.d.). USDA PLANTS Database. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/MARE6
[6] Singh, O., Khanam, Z., Misra, N., & Srivastava, M. K. (2011). Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.): An overview. Pharmacognosy reviews, 5(9), 82–95. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.79103
[7] Newcomb, L. (1977). Newcomb's Wildflower Guide. Little, Brown and Company.
[8] Herbal Academy. (n.d.). Herbal Materia Medica Course [Online course]. The Herbal Academy. Retrieved August 9, 2025, from https://theherbalacademy.com/product/herbal-materia-medica-course/
[9] Herbal Academy. (n.d.). Herbal Safety Continuum Scale.
[10] Peterson, L. A. (1977). Peterson field guide to edible wild plants of eastern and central North America. Houghton Mifflin.
[11] Chevallier, A. (2016). Encyclopedia of herbal medicine (3rd ed.). DK Publishing.
[12] Stewart, G. (2017, July 6). How and when to harvest chamomile. GettyStewart.com. https://www.gettystewart.com/how-and-when-to-harvest-chamomile/
[13] Iannotti, M. (2024, June 30). How to grow and care for chamomile. The Spruce. Retrieved from https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-grow-chamomile-1402627
[14] Stewart, S. R. (2025, July 16). Herbal guide to chamomile: Grow & harvest chamomile flowers. Garden Therapy. https://gardentherapy.ca/herbal-guide-to-chamomile/