# Plant Monograph: Chamomile
**Name of plant:**
Chamomile
**Catch phrase (Carmina Gadelica or traditional invocation if available):**
No specific chamomile invocation is recorded in *Carmina Gadelica*. Traditional European herbalism associated chamomile with gentleness, healing, and the calming of body and spirit.
**Family:**
Asteraceae (Daisy family)
**Genus and species:**
*Matricaria chamomilla* L. (syn. *Matricaria recutita* L.) — German chamomile
*Chamaemelum nobile* (L.) All. — Roman chamomile is a closely related medicinal species.
**Other names:**
German chamomile, wild chamomile, scented mayweed, Hungarian chamomile, blue chamomile; Gaelic names include *camomile* and forms derived from the English name. Roman chamomile is also called English chamomile.
**Brief introduction:**
Chamomile is an aromatic annual or perennial herb of European and western Asian origin that has become widely naturalized. German chamomile bears small daisy-like flowers with prominent yellow centres and white rays and is particularly valued for its aromatic volatile oil. It has a long history in European household medicine, where the flower heads were prepared as teas, washes, compresses, and inhalations for digestive discomfort, nervous tension, inflammation, and minor skin complaints.
**Traditional uses:**
* Calming nervous tension, restlessness, and difficulty sleeping.
* Relieving indigestion, intestinal cramping, and flatulence.
* Soothing inflammatory conditions of the skin and mucous membranes.
* Preparing washes and compresses for wounds, rashes, and minor irritations.
* Using aromatic infusions and steam preparations for colds and respiratory discomfort.
**Historical use:**
* Egyptian and Greco-Roman traditions valued chamomile as an aromatic medicinal herb.
* European herbalists traditionally employed the flowers for digestive and nervous complaints.
* Medieval and early modern European medicine used chamomile in fomentations, baths, poultices, and medicinal beverages.
* Chamomile was traditionally used externally for inflamed skin, wounds, ulcers, and irritated eyes, although eye preparations require particular care.
* It became a common household tea and was incorporated into European herbal pharmacopoeias for gastrointestinal and inflammatory complaints.
**Parts used and method of use:**
* Dried or fresh flower heads.
* Flowering aerial portions, principally the capitula.
Used as:
* Infusion or herbal tea.
* Liquid extract or tincture.
* External wash, compress, bath, or poultice.
* Inhalation or steam preparation; chamomile preparations are also used in topical creams and ointments.
**Use in healing (modern herbal practice):**
* Traditionally and clinically studied for mild gastrointestinal spasms, indigestion, and flatulence.
* Used as a gentle calming herb and traditional sleep-supporting beverage.
* Applied topically for minor inflammatory skin conditions and irritation.
* Used as a mouth rinse for minor inflammation of the oral cavity.
* Studied for possible anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and gastrointestinal effects, although evidence varies considerably by preparation and condition.
**Pharmacology and biochemistry:**
* Chamazulene and related sesquiterpenes formed during processing of the volatile oil.
* α-Bisabolol and bisabolol oxides.
* Flavonoids, particularly apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, and their glycosides.
Mechanisms:
* Chamomile constituents exhibit anti-inflammatory activity through several pathways, including modulation of inflammatory mediators.
* Apigenin interacts with central nervous-system targets, including benzodiazepine-related receptor sites, providing a plausible basis for mild sedative and anxiolytic activity.
* Volatile oils and flavonoids may contribute to antispasmodic and smooth-muscle-relaxing effects in the gastrointestinal tract.
Overall profile: Chamomile is primarily a mild aromatic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and calming herb. Evidence is strongest for traditional gastrointestinal and topical applications; evidence for anxiety and sleep is promising but not definitive.
**Common dosage:**
* Infusion: 2–4 g dried flower heads in approximately 150–250 mL hot water, up to 3–4 times daily.
* Liquid extract: Follow the standardized preparation's manufacturer or pharmacopoeial dosage.
* Tincture: Approximately 2–4 mL of a 1:5 preparation, up to 3 times daily, depending on concentration.
* Topical preparation: Apply an appropriately diluted infusion, cream, or ointment to affected skin as needed.
**Safety factors (including side effects):**
* Generally well tolerated in ordinary amounts as a tea or topical preparation.
* May cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or gastrointestinal upset in susceptible individuals.
* Avoid medicinal use in individuals with known allergy to chamomile or closely related Asteraceae plants.
* Allergic reactions can include contact dermatitis, urticaria, or, rarely, severe hypersensitivity.
* Concentrated preparations and prolonged medicinal use should be approached cautiously; safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.
**First aid / adverse reaction response:**
* Mild gastrointestinal upset: Discontinue use and allow symptoms to resolve; seek advice if persistent or severe.
* Contact dermatitis: Stop topical use and wash the affected area; seek medical advice if the reaction is extensive.
* Hives or facial swelling: Stop use and obtain prompt medical assessment.
* Difficulty breathing, throat swelling, or signs of anaphylaxis: Call emergency services immediately and use prescribed emergency treatment if available.
**Drug interactions:**
* Theoretical additive effects may occur with sedative medications or other strongly sedating herbs.
* Chamomile may theoretically increase bleeding tendency when combined with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicines, although clinical significance is uncertain.
* People taking medicines with a narrow therapeutic range should discuss regular medicinal chamomile use with a pharmacist or physician.
* Culinary and ordinary tea use generally presents substantially less interaction concern than concentrated extracts.
**Horticultural requirements:**
* USDA / Canadian zone: Generally grown as an annual in Canada; German chamomile can be cultivated across much of Canada during the frost-free season. Approximately USDA Zones 3–9.
* Soil pH: Approximately 5.6–7.5; well-drained soil is preferred.
* Light requirements: Full sun; tolerates light partial shade.
* Moisture: Moderate moisture; avoid prolonged waterlogging.
* Other notes (growth habit, harvest timing, etc.):
* Growth habit: German chamomile is a relatively delicate, branching annual reaching roughly 30–60 cm, with finely divided foliage.
* Flowering/fruiting: Daisy-like flower heads appear from late spring through summer; repeated harvesting encourages continued flowering.
* Harvest timing: Flower heads are harvested when fully open, preferably in dry weather, and dried promptly.
* Habitat: Fields, roadsides, disturbed ground, gardens, and cultivated herb plots.
* Propagation/cultivation notes: Usually propagated from seed. Seeds require light for good germination and should generally be pressed onto the soil surface rather than deeply buried. Chamomile prefers good drainage and relatively modest fertility.
**Sampling of clinical reports / studies:**
* Clinical studies have investigated chamomile preparations for generalized anxiety and related symptoms, with some evidence of benefit but limitations in sample size and study design.
* Randomized and controlled studies have examined chamomile for sleep disturbance, anxiety, and gastrointestinal complaints, producing mixed but generally encouraging findings.
* Pharmacological research demonstrates anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antioxidant, and mild central nervous-system effects associated with flavonoids and volatile-oil constituents.
* Phytochemical studies consistently identify apigenin, α-bisabolol, chamazulene-related compounds, and multiple flavonoids as important constituents.
* Overall assessment of evidence: **well established as a traditional medicinal herb with substantial pharmacological research; clinical evidence supports several traditional applications but remains condition- and preparation-specific.**
Educational Use Only: The information presented on this page is provided for educational, historical, and informational purposes only. ArdNemeton na Tuatha and Bhùth Draoi do not provide medical advice. Always consult your physician and pharmacist before using any herb, mushroom, supplement, or botanical product for medicinal purposes. Traditional uses described herein do not constitute medical claims.