Chamomile (matricaria chamomilla)

Table of Contents

Other names

German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
Chamomile Flower Extract
Chamomile Tea

Synopsis

Chamomile refers to the flowers of Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile) or Chamaemelum nobile (Roman chamomile), both belonging to the Asteraceae (daisy) family. Widely used in herbal teas, tinctures, oils, and topical preparations, chamomile is renowned for its gentle sedative, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and digestive-soothing properties. It is one of the most universally trusted herbs in both traditional and modern herbal medicine, often used for stress, insomnia, digestive discomfort, and skin irritation.

Chamomile contains:

  • Apigenin – a flavonoid that promotes calmness and sleep
  • Bisabolol and chamazulene – anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial compounds
  • Coumarins, flavonoids, and tannins – contribute to antioxidant and astringent actions

Therapeutic uses of chamomile include:

  • Reducing anxiety and promoting restful sleep
  • Easing digestive upset, gas, bloating, and nausea
  • Relieving menstrual cramps and muscle tension through antispasmodic action
  • Calming skin irritation, rashes, eczema, and sunburn (topically)
  • Soothing teething pain and restlessness in children
  • Supporting wound healing and oral inflammation as a mouth rinse

Chamomile is typically consumed as:

  • Herbal tea or infusion (most common)
  • Tinctures or capsules
  • Essential oil or flower-infused oils for topical use
  • Compresses or poultices for skin applications

Historical Use:

Chamomile has been used for over 2,000 years in European, Egyptian, and Greco-Roman traditions. The Egyptians revered it as a sacred herb dedicated to the sun god Ra, and used it to treat fevers and skin conditions. The Greeks used it for digestive issues and inflammation, while medieval herbalists prescribed it for nervous tension, colic, and women’s complaints.

In Ayurvedic and Unani medicine, chamomile is known for its cooling and calming effects, helpful in balancing pitta and vata, particularly in conditions involving irritability, insomnia, and digestive heat.

Today, chamomile is a staple in herbal medicine cabinets worldwide, featured in calming teas, sleep blends, children's remedies, and skin care products. Its reputation as a gentle yet effective herb for stress, digestion, and inflammation makes it one of the most versatile and widely used botanicals in natural health.

Uses: Health Conditions

Abdominal Pain (Traditional)
Abrasions (Traditional)
Abuse and Trauma (Traditional)
Acid Indigestion (Traditional)
Acne (Traditional)
Addictions (coffee, caffeine) (Neither)
Addictions (drugs) (Neither)
Addictions (general remedies for) (Traditional)
Addictions (tobacco smoking or chewing) (Neither)
Afterbirth Pain (Traditional)
Age Spots (Traditional)
Anal Fistula or Fissure (Traditional)
Anger (excessive) (Traditional)
Antibiotics (side effects of) (Traditional)
Anxiety (Scientific)
Anxiety Disorders (Scientific)
Appendicitis (Neither)
Appetite (deficient) (Traditional)
Dyspepsia (Traditional)
Eczema (Traditional)
Enteritis (Traditional)
Epilepsy (Traditional)
Eye Infections (Traditional)
Eye Problems (Traditional)
Eyes (red or itching) (Traditional)
Eyesight (poor) (Neither)
Fever (Traditional)
Fleas (Neither)
Foot Odor (Neither)
Fungal Infections (Traditional)
Gas and Bloating (Traditional)
Gastritis (Traditional)
Gingivitis (Scientific)
Halitosis (Traditional)
Headache (cluster) (Neither)
Headache (general) (Traditional)
Headache (sinus) (Traditional)
Headache (tension) (Traditional)
Hemorrhoids (Traditional)
Hiatal Hernia (Traditional)
Hiccups (Traditional)
Hypochondria (Neither)
Hysteria (Traditional)
Ileocecal Valve (Neither)
Indigestion (Traditional)
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders (Scientific)
Insomnia (Traditional)
Irritability (Traditional)
Itching (Scientific)
Itching (rectal) (Traditional)
Itching Ears (Traditional)
Labor and Delivery (Traditional)
Lactose Intolerance (Neither)
Laryngitis (Traditional)
Leaky Gut Syndrome (Traditional)
Lesions (Traditional)
Lice (Neither)
Lupus (Traditional)
Mania (Neither)
Measles (Traditional)
Morning Sickness (Traditional)
Motion Sickness (Neither)
Nausea and Vomiting (Traditional)
Nose Bleeds (Traditional)
Perspiration (excessive) (Traditional)
Phobias (Neither)
PMS (general) (Traditional)
PMS Type A (Traditional)
PMS Type P (Traditional)
Poison Ivy or Oak (Traditional)
Poisoning (food) (Neither)
Post Partum Depression (Traditional)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Traditional)
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for) (Traditional)
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements to avoid during) (Neither)
Rashes and Hives (Traditional)
Restless Dreams (Traditional)
Rhinitis (Traditional)
Rhinitis, Allergic (Traditional)
Rosacea (Traditional)
Scratches and Abrasions (Traditional)
Seizures (Traditional)
Sex Drive (excessive) (Neither)
Shame and Guilt (Neither)
Sleep (restless and disturbed) (Scientific)
Sneezing (Neither)
Sore Throat (Traditional)
Strep Throat (Traditional)
Stress (Traditional)
Sunburn (Traditional)
Sweat Baths (herbs for) (Traditional)
Teeth (grinding) (Neither)
Teething (Traditional)
Tension (Traditional)
Tickle in Throat (Traditional)
TMJ (Traditional)
Tonsillitis (Traditional)
Adrenal Fatigue (Traditional)
Abscesses (Traditional)
Allergies (respiratory) (Traditional)
Belching (Traditional)
Bites and Stings (Traditional)
Blood in Stool (Neither)
Bloodshot Eyes (Traditional)
Boils (Traditional)
Breast Milk (dry up) (Neither)
Bruises (healing) (Traditional)
Bulimia (Traditional)
Cancer (natural therapy for) (Traditional)
Carbuncles (Traditional)
Backache (Neither)
Bedwetting (Traditional)
Bleeding (external) (Traditional)
Blisters (Traditional)
Burns and Scalds (Traditional)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects) (Scientific)
Canker Sores (Traditional)
Chemical Poisoning (Neither)
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects) (Scientific)
Colds (general) (Traditional)
Colds (prevention) (Traditional)
Colds (with fever) (Traditional)
Colic (adults) (Traditional)
Colic (children) (Traditional)
Congestion (Traditional)
Congestion (bronchial) (Traditional)
Congestion (lungs) (Traditional)
Congestion (sinus) (Traditional)
Constipation (adults) (Traditional)
Constipation (children) (Traditional)
Cuts (Traditional)
Depression (Traditional)
Dermatitis (Scientific)
Diarrhea (Traditional)
Digestion (poor) (Traditional)
Dysmenorrhea (Scientific)
Ear Infection or Earache (Traditional)
Emotional Sensitivity (Traditional)

Body Systems

Adrenal Medulla (Traditional)
Muscles (Traditional)
Bronchials (Traditional)
Circulatory System (Traditional)
Digestive System (Traditional)
Eyes (Traditional)
GABA (Traditional)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Traditional)
Intestinal System (Traditional)
Large Intestines (Colon) (Traditional)
Liver (Traditional)
Mucus Membranes (Traditional)
Nerves (Traditional)
Parasympathetic Nervous System (Traditional)
Skin (Traditional)
Solar Plexus (Traditional)
Spleen (Traditional)
Stomach (Traditional)
Sweat Glands (Traditional)
Uterus (Traditional)
Veins (Traditional)
Vocal Cords (Traditional)
Brain (Traditional)
Immune System (Traditional)
Respiratory System (Traditional)
Urinary System (Traditional)
Appendix (Traditional)
Lymphatics (Traditional)
Sinuses (Traditional)
Taste (Traditional)
Tonsils (Traditional)