Plant Comparison
Chamomile vs Wood Betony
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Chamomile and Wood Betony: they share 9 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, bloating, headache, …); 4 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Chamomile | Wood Betony | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Chamomile |
| Bloating | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Headache | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Indigestion | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Menstrual cramps | 7/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Chamomile |
| Muscle spasm | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Anxiety | 6/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Chamomile |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
The volatile oil, concentrated in the flower head, gives chamomile its characteristic blue colour (chamazulene) and much of its anti-inflammatory activity (alpha-bisabolol).
Apigenin is considered a key contributor to chamomile's sedative/anxiolytic activity via GABA-A receptor binding.
Minor constituents (e.g. herniarin, umbelliferone) contributing to the mild antispasmodic action.
Contribute to the soothing, demulcent effect on irritated mucous membranes.
Anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic constituents.
Antioxidant, astringent and aromatic constituents; methanolic extract of the herb showed strong free-radical-scavenging and lipid-peroxidation-inhibiting activity in vitro.
Pharmacological Actions
Antioxidant - among the strongest free-radical scavengers in a comparative study of Lamiaceae herbs
Anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic
Gentle calmative for anxiety; Nervine / relaxant for nervous tension and tension headaches (especially headache worsened by anxiety or muscle tension)
Digestive bitter for indigestion, mild stomach upset and bloating
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from analgesic action
inferred from digestive action
inferred from vulnerary action
inferred from analgesic action
inferred from digestive action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from sedative action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antimicrobial action
Gentle calmative for anxiety; Nervine / relaxant for nervous tension and tension headaches (especially headache worsened by anxiety or muscle tension)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Digestive bitter for indigestion, mild stomach upset and bloating
Nervine / relaxant for nervous tension and tension headaches (especially headache worsened by anxiety or muscle tension)
Digestive bitter for indigestion, mild stomach upset and bloating
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antispasmodic action
Nervine / relaxant for nervous tension and tension headaches (especially headache worsened by anxiety or muscle tension)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally considered very safe when used as tea or topical preparations.Allergy risk: People allergic to ragweed, daisies, or other Asteraceae plants may react (itching, rash).Blood thinners: Chamomile may slightly enhance effects of anticoagulants—use large amounts cautiously.Pregnancy: Normal tea amounts are usually considered safe, but concentrated extracts should be used with caution.Topical use: Rare skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Duke (2002) rates German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) highly for anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and wound-healing activities. The essential oil contains the potent anti-inflammatory compound alpha-bisabolol. Chamomile is Commission E approved for digestive complaints and topical wound care. Dose: 3 g dried flower heads per cup of water, three times daily. Alpha-bisabolol is noted as one of the most active natural anti-inflammatory compounds known. Caution: chamomile belongs to the Asteraceae family and can cause allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to ragweed, chrysanthemums, or related plants (Duke, 2002).
Generally very safe. Rare allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to the Asteraceae family (ragweed, chrysanthemums). May cause contact dermatitis with topical essential oil use. Avoid very high doses in pregnancy. Well tolerated by children in appropriate amounts.
Scented mayweed (Matricaria chamomilla) shares the same species as German chamomile (see German Chamomile entry above). Duke (2002) provides the same clinical support: Commission E approves it for dyspeptic complaints (orally) and skin and mucous membrane inflammation (topically). Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and wound-healing activities are well-established (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Botanical Description
Aromatic annual herb, 15-60 cm tall, with an erect, much-branched, hairless stem. Leaves are alternate and finely bi- to tripinnately divided into thread-like segments, giving a feathery appearance. Flower heads are small daisy-like composites, 1-2.5 cm across, with white ray florets that reflex sharply downward as the flower matures around a conical, hollow, yellow disc of tubular florets - the hollow, conical receptacle is a key feature distinguishing German chamomile from similar-looking daisies. The fruit is a tiny ribbed achene without a pappus.[1, 10]
Perennial herb (Lamiaceae), 30-60 cm tall, with square, mostly unbranched, hairy stems. Leaves are mostly basal, oblong to heart-shaped, toothed and wrinkled. Small, reddish-purple, two-lipped flowers are borne in a dense, interrupted terminal spike.[11]
Habitat
Native to Europe, growing in open woodland, grassland, hedgebanks and heathland on well-drained, often slightly acidic soils.[11]
Harvesting
Flower heads are hand- or machine-harvested at full bloom, when the ray florets are horizontal and just beginning to reflex, then dried quickly at low temperature and out of direct light to preserve the volatile oil.[6]
Aerial flowering parts are cut during flowering (summer) and dried.[11]
Traditional Uses
Chamomile is one of the most widely used medicinal herbs in the world, with a long traditional history as a mild digestive, calming and anti-inflammatory remedy - taken as a tea for indigestion, cramping, and restlessness or poor sleep, and applied topically for skin and mucous-membrane inflammation and wound healing. Modern reviews confirm anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, sedative/anxiolytic and antimicrobial pharmacological activity supporting these traditional uses.[1, 6, 10]
Wood betony has an ancient European reputation - praised in Anglo-Saxon and medieval herbals as a cure-all, giving rise to the saying 'sell your coat and buy betony' - as a gentle nervine for headache, anxiety and nervous tension, and as a digestive bitter. Modern phytochemical studies confirm it is among the strongest antioxidants of the Lamiaceae family, alongside anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic constituents.[11, 13]
Preparations
Dried flower heads steeped in hot water, the classic way of taking chamomile for digestive complaints, mild anxiety and sleep support.
Steam-distilled from the flower heads; a concentrated source of alpha-bisabolol and chamazulene, used mainly in topical and aromatherapy preparations.
Concentrated extract or infused oil applied to skin, or as a compress - a randomised controlled trial found a topical chamomile oil preparation effective for knee osteoarthritis pain.
Dried aerial parts steeped in hot water - the classic calming and digestive preparation.
Dosage
References
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
Pairings
Chamomile and valerian are both traditional mild sedatives for restlessness and poor sleep; taken together they may enhance calming and sleep effects but also add to drowsiness.[23]
Chamomile and lemon balm are both gentle calming herbs commonly combined for stress and sleep; used together their mild sedative effects may add up.[23]
Not documented
Lookalikes Review
References & Sources
- El Mihyaoui, A., Esteves da Silva, J.C.G., Charfi, S., Candela Castillo, M.E. and others (2022) 'Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.): A Review of Ethnomedicinal Use, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Uses', Life, 12(4), pp. 479. doi:10.3390/life12040479 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/life12040479 - Kazemi, A., Shojaei-Zarghani, S., Eskandarzadeh, P. and Hashempur, M.H (2024) 'Effects of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) on sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials', Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 84, pp. 103071. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2024.103071 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2024.103071 - Mao, J.J., Xie, S.X., Keefe, J.R., Soeller, I. and others (2016) 'Long-term chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized clinical trial', Phytomedicine, 23(14), pp. 1735-1742. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2016.10.012 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2016.10.012 - Amsterdam, J.D., Li, Q.S., Xie, S.X. and Mao, J.J (2020) 'Putative Antidepressant Effect of Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) Oral Extract in Subjects with Comorbid Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression', Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 26(9), pp. 813-819. doi:10.1089/acm.2019.0252 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2019.0252 - McKay, D.L. and Blumberg, J.B (2006) 'A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of chamomile tea (Matricaria recutita L.)', Phytotherapy Research, 20(7), pp. 519-530. doi:10.1002/ptr.1900 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1900 - Dai, Y.L., Li, Y., Wang, Q., Niu, F.J. and others (2022) 'Chamomile: A Review of Its Traditional Uses, Chemical Constituents, Pharmacological Activities and Quality Control Studies', Molecules, 28(1), pp. 133. doi:10.3390/molecules28010133 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28010133 - Miraj, S. and Alesaeidi, S (2016) 'A systematic review study of therapeutic effects of Matricaria recutita chamomile (chamomile)', Electronic Physician, 8(9), pp. 3024-3031. doi:10.19082/3024 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.19082/3024 - Amsterdam, J.D., Li, Y., Soeller, I., Rockwell, K. and others (2009) 'A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder', Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 29(4), pp. 378-382. doi:10.1097/JCP.0b013e3181ac935c Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1097/JCP.0b013e3181ac935c - Park, S.H., Kim, D.S., Oh, J., Geum, J.H. and others (2021) 'Matricaria chamomilla (Chamomile) Ameliorates Muscle Atrophy in Mice by Targeting Protein Catalytic Pathways, Myogenesis, and Mitochondrial Dysfunction', The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 49(6), pp. 1493-1514. doi:10.1142/S0192415X21500701 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X21500701 - Singh, O., Khanam, Z., Misra, N. and Srivastava, M.K (2011) 'Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.): An overview', Pharmacognosy Reviews, 5(9), pp. 82-95. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.79103 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.79103 - Amsterdam, J.D., Shults, J., Soeller, I., Mao, J.J., Rockwell, K. and Newberg, A.B (2012) 'Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) may provide antidepressant activity in anxious, depressed humans: an exploratory study', Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 18(5), pp. 44-49. Randomized trial
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Chamomile%20%28Matricaria%20recutita%29%20may%20provide%20antidepressant%20activity%20in%20anxious%2C%20depressed%20humans%3A%20an%20exploratory%20study - Shoara, R., Hashempur, M.H., Ashraf, A., Salehi, A., Dehshahri, S. and Habibagahi, Z (2015) 'Efficacy and safety of topical Matricaria chamomilla L. (chamomile) oil for knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled clinical trial', Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 21(3), pp. 181-187. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.06.003 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.06.003 - Zemestani, M., Rafraf, M. and Asghari-Jafarabadi, M (2016) 'Chamomile tea improves glycemic indices and antioxidants status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus', Nutrition, 32(1), pp. 66-72. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2015.07.011 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2015.07.011 - Niazi, A. and Moradi, M (2021) 'The effect of chamomile on pain and menstrual bleeding in primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review', International Journal of Community Based Nursing and Midwifery, 9(3), pp. 174-186. doi:10.30476/ijcbnm.2021.87219.1417 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.30476/ijcbnm.2021.87219.1417 - European Medicines Agency (2015) 'European Union herbal monograph on Matricaria recutita L., flos'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=European%20Union%20herbal%20monograph%20on%20Matricaria%20recutita%20L.%2C%20flos - Hoffmann, D (2003) 'Medical Herbalism'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Medical%20Herbalism - Padula, M.C (2006) 'Chamomile: industrial profiles'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Chamomile%3A%20industrial%20profiles - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - Srivastava, J.K., Shankar, E. and Gupta, S (2010) 'Chamomile: a herbal medicine of the past with bright future', 3(6), pp. 895--901. doi:10.3892/mmr.2010.377 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2010.377 - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Segal, R. and Pilote, L (2006) 'Warfarin interaction with Matricaria chamomilla', CMAJ, 174(9), pp. 1281-1282. doi:10.1503/cmaj.051191 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.051191 - Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2024) 'Therapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review', Phytotherapy Research, 38(6), pp. 3037-3059. doi:10.1002/ptr.8201 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8201 - Block, K.I., Gyllenhaal, C. and Mead, M.N (2004) 'Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 3(2), pp. 128-148. doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003 - Amsterdam, J.D., Li, Y., Soeller, I., Rockwell, K., Mao, J.J. and Shults, J (2009) 'A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder', Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 29(4), pp. 378-382. doi:10.1097/JCP.0b013e3181ac935c Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1097/JCP.0b013e3181ac935c - Zemestani, M., Rafraf, M. and Asghari-Jafarabadi, M (2015) 'Chamomile tea improves glycemic indices and antioxidants status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus', Nutrition, 32(1), pp. 66-72. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2015.07.011 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2015.07.011
- Slapsyte, G., Dedonyte, V., Adomeniene, A., Lazutka, J.R. and others (2019) 'Genotoxic properties of Betonica officinalis, Gratiola officinalis, Vincetoxicum luteum and Vincetoxicum hirundinaria extracts', Food and Chemical Toxicology, 134, pp. 110815. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2019.110815 Preclinical
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https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.3582 - Bilušić Vundać, V (2019) 'Taxonomical and Phytochemical Characterisation of 10 Stachys Taxa Recorded in the Balkan Peninsula Flora: A Review', Plants, 8(2), pp. 32. doi:10.3390/plants8020032 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8020032 - The Naturopathic Herbalist (n.d.) 'Stachys officinalis (Wood Betony)'. Available at: https://thenaturopathicherbalist.com/herbs/r-s/stachys-officinalis/ Traditional / reference
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Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.