Chamomile (matricaria chamomilla)

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Other names for chamomile

German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
Chamomile Flower Extract
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Chamomile (not specified)
Chamomile (unspecified)
English Chamomile
German Chamomile
Roman Chamomile

Synopsis of chamomile

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.

Chamomile is used for these health conditions

Abdominal Pain (Traditional)
Abrasions (Traditional)
Abscesses (Traditional)
Abuse and Trauma (Traditional)
Acid Indigestion (Traditional)
Acne (Traditional)
Addictions (general remedies for) (Traditional)
Adrenal Fatigue (Traditional)
Afterbirth Pain (Traditional)
Age Spots (Traditional)
Allergies (respiratory) (Traditional)
Anal Fistula or Fissure (Traditional)
Antibiotics (side effects of) (Traditional)
Anxiety (Scientific)
Anxiety Disorders (Scientific)
Appetite (deficient) (Traditional)
Anger (excessive) (Traditional)
Bedwetting (Traditional)
Belching (Traditional)
Bites and Stings (Traditional)
Bleeding (external) (Traditional)
Blisters (Traditional)
Bloodshot Eyes (Traditional)
Boils (Traditional)
Bruises (healing) (Traditional)
Bulimia (Traditional)
Burns and Scalds (Traditional)
Cancer (natural therapy for) (Traditional)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects) (Scientific)
Canker Sores (Traditional)
Carbuncles (Traditional)
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)
Dyspepsia (Traditional)
Ear Infection or Earache (Traditional)
Eczema (Traditional)
Emotional Sensitivity (Traditional)
Enteritis (Traditional)
Epilepsy (Traditional)
Eye Infections (Traditional)
Eye Problems (Traditional)
Eyes (red or itching) (Traditional)
Fever (Traditional)
Fungal Infections (Traditional)
Gas and Bloating (Traditional)
Gastritis (Traditional)
Gingivitis (Scientific)
Halitosis (Traditional)
Headache (general) (Traditional)
Headache (sinus) (Traditional)
Headache (tension) (Traditional)
Hemorrhoids (Traditional)
Hiatal Hernia (Traditional)
Hiccups (Traditional)
Hysteria (Traditional)
Indigestion (Traditional)
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders (Scientific)
Insomnia (Traditional)
Irritability (Traditional)
Itching (Scientific)
Itching (rectal) (Traditional)
Itching Ears (Traditional)
Labor and Delivery (Traditional)
Laryngitis (Traditional)
Leaky Gut Syndrome (Traditional)
Lesions (Traditional)
Lupus (Traditional)
Measles (Traditional)
Morning Sickness (Traditional)
Nausea and Vomiting (Traditional)
Nose Bleeds (Traditional)
Perspiration (excessive) (Traditional)
PMS (general) (Traditional)
PMS Type A (Traditional)
PMS Type P (Traditional)
Poison Ivy or Oak (Traditional)
Post Partum Depression (Traditional)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Traditional)
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for) (Traditional)
Rashes and Hives (Traditional)
Restless Dreams (Traditional)
Rhinitis (Traditional)
Rhinitis, Allergic (Traditional)
Rosacea (Traditional)
Scratches and Abrasions (Traditional)
Seizures (Traditional)
Sleep (restless and disturbed) (Scientific)
Sore Throat (Traditional)
Strep Throat (Traditional)
Stress (Traditional)
Sunburn (Traditional)
Sweat Baths (herbs for) (Traditional)
Teething (Traditional)
Tension (Traditional)
Tickle in Throat (Traditional)
TMJ (Traditional)
Tonsillitis (Traditional)

chamomile is used to support these body systems

Brain (Traditional)
Bronchials (Traditional)
Digestive System (Scientific)
GABA (Scientific)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Scientific)
Immune System (Traditional)
Intestinal System (Scientific)
Large Intestines (Colon) (Traditional)
Liver (Traditional)
Lymphatics (Traditional)
Mucus Membranes (Traditional)
Nerves (Scientific)
Parasympathetic Nervous System (Scientific)
Respiratory System (Traditional)
Sinuses (Traditional)
Skin (Scientific)
Solar Plexus (Traditional)
Spleen (Traditional)
Stomach (Scientific)
Sweat Glands (Traditional)
Tonsils (Traditional)
Uterus (Traditional)
Vocal Cords (Traditional)