Antispasmodic, Sedative, Anxiolytic, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Relaxant
Terpenoids, Polyphenols, Flavonoids (quercetin), Essential oils
This Site is for Educational Use Only: The information on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. I am not a licensed medical professional. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any medicinal plants, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
Chamomile is one of those herbs that gets undersold because everyone associates it with sleepy time tea and grandmothers, but it packs a punch. And yes, it absolutely helps with sleep and anxiety. But it's doing a lot more than that.
Two varieties are worth knowing about. The most commonly cultivated is Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), which is sweet-scented and the one you're most likely to find in a garden. German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is the wild variety, and arguably the more studied of the two medicinally. Both make excellent tea, and for most everyday purposes the distinction isn't critical.
Beyond sleep and stress, chamomile has a solid case for digestive support (stomach cramps, bloating, general upset), skin irritation when applied topically, menstrual irregularity, and menstrual cramp relief. It's also anti-allergenic, which is a little ironic given the safety note below.
I like to combine chamomile with ginger tea when my stomach is unhappy or inflammation is flaring up. The two work well together: ginger for the more active anti-inflammatory and digestive push, chamomile for the calming and soothing layer. As a tea, it's one of the gentler options in the herbal toolkit, which makes it a good starting point for people newer to medicinal plants.
Safety note: Chamomile is generally considered very safe, but it can cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to plants in the daisy family (Asteraceae). If you have hay fever or known ragweed sensitivity, start with a small amount and pay attention. As always, if you're pregnant or on blood thinners, check with your provider first.
Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2995283/
Chamomile https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/chamomile
Herbal Remedies by Andrew Chevallier
Sacred Herbs by Opal Streisand
Disclaimer: The content on this website is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. No provider-patient relationship is created by use of this site. The author makes no representations regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information and assumes no liability for any adverse effects resulting from the use of plants or remedies described herein.
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If only one source is saying something, be skeptical. If ten independent sources across different institutions, different countries, different decades are saying the same thing, you're getting warmer. Consensus is earned, not declared. Studies should be peer reviewed.
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