Plant Profile

Chamomile

Compiled by the Omnia Sana editorial team from the plant database ·Last updated August 15, 2026

Matricaria chamomilla

Family: Asteraceae · Parts used: Flower · Also known as: German chamomile, blue chamomile, wild chamomile, Scented Mayweed

Common names in 30 European languages →

The complete database record: 4 documented constituents, 11 pharmacological actions, 18 traditional / indicated uses, with 24 cited sources.

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]}

Height: 15-60 cm

Habit: Erect, much-branched, aromatic annual herb

Leaves: Alternate, finely 2-3-pinnately divided into thread-like segments

Flowers: Small daisy-like heads with downward-reflexed white ray florets around a conical hollow yellow disc

Stem: Erect, much-branched, hairless

Root: Slender taproot

Fruit: Tiny ribbed achene, no pappus

Flowering Period: May-August

Habitat & Distribution

Native to Europe and western Asia and now naturalised worldwide, growing on disturbed, sunny ground - arable field margins, waste places, roadsides and sandy or loamy soils; widely cultivated as a medicinal crop.^{[1, 6]}

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]

Parts: Flower heads

Season: Late spring to summer, at full bloom

Key Constituents

Essential oil (alpha-bisabolol, chamazulene)^{[1, 6]}

The volatile oil, concentrated in the flower head, gives chamomile its characteristic blue colour (chamazulene) and much of its anti-inflammatory activity (alpha-bisabolol).

Essential (volatile) oilAlpha-bisabololChamazulene

Flavonoids (apigenin, quercetin, luteolin, rutin)^[10]

Apigenin is considered a key contributor to chamomile's sedative/anxiolytic activity via GABA-A receptor binding.

ApigeninQuercetinLuteolinRutinFlavonoids

Coumarins^[6]

Minor constituents (e.g. herniarin, umbelliferone) contributing to the mild antispasmodic action.

Coumarins

Mucilage polysaccharides^[10]

Contribute to the soothing, demulcent effect on irritated mucous membranes.

MucilagePolysaccharides

Pharmacological Actions

Analgesic (pain relief)^{[12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20]}

Anti-inflammatory^{[1, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 16, 17, 18, 20]}

Antimicrobial^{[1, 16, 17, 18, 20]}

Antispasmodic^{[1, 5, 6, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20]}

Antispasmodic (cramp easing)

Digestive aid^{[1, 5, 10, 16, 17, 18, 20]}

Emollient / skin-soothing^{[16, 17, 18, 20]}

Sedative / sleep support^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 16, 17, 18, 20]}

Vulnerary (wound healing)^{[16, 17, 18, 20]}

Anxiolytic / calming^{[3, 8]}

Antidepressant / mood support^[11]

Antidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)^[13]

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^{[12, 17, 18, 20]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0079

Evidence: 5

Label: Arthritis / joint pain

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Back pain^{[17, 18, 20]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from analgesic action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0079, REF-2349, REF-2351

Evidence: 1

Label: Back pain

more plants for back pain →detailed sources →

Bloating^{[16, 17, 18, 20]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from digestive action

Evidence: 1

Label: Bloating

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Bruising^{[17, 18, 20]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from vulnerary action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0079

Evidence: 1

Label: Bruising

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Eczema^{[16, 17, 18, 20]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from emollient action

Evidence: 1

Label: Eczema

more plants for eczema →detailed sources →

Headache^{[17, 18, 20]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from analgesic action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0079, REF-2349, REF-2351

Evidence: 1

Label: Headache

more plants for headache →detailed sources →

Indigestion^{[16, 17, 18, 20]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from digestive action

Evidence: 1

Label: Indigestion

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Infection (general)^{[16, 17, 18, 20]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 1

Label: Infection (general)

more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)^{[16, 17, 18, 20]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Inflammation (general)

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Insomnia / sleeplessness^{[2, 17, 18, 20]}Good · 7/10

inferred from sedative action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0079, REF-1155, REF-1156, REF-1160

Evidence: 7

Label: Insomnia / sleeplessness

more plants for insomnia / sleeplessness →detailed sources →

Menstrual cramps^{[14, 17, 18, 20]}Good · 7/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0079

Evidence: 7

Label: Menstrual cramps

more plants for menstrual cramps →detailed sources →

Muscle spasm^{[16, 17, 18, 20]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

Evidence: 1

Label: Muscle spasm

more plants for muscle spasm →detailed sources →

Pain (general)^{[17, 18, 20]}Preliminary · 1/10

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0079

Evidence: 1

Label: Pain (general)

more plants for pain (general) →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^{[16, 17, 18, 20]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-2349

Evidence: 1

Label: Skin irritation

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Wounds^{[16, 17, 18, 20]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 1

Label: Wounds

more plants for wounds →detailed sources →

Anxiety^{[3, 8]}Moderate · 6/10

Evidence: 6

Label: Anxiety

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Low mood / depression^[11]Moderate · 5/10

Evidence: 5

Label: Low mood / depression

more plants for low mood / depression →detailed sources →

Blood sugar / diabetes support^[13]Moderate · 5/10

Evidence: 5

Label: Blood sugar / diabetes support

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Traditional Use & History

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]}

Preparations

Infusion (tea)^{[6, 10]}

Dried flower heads steeped in hot water, the classic way of taking chamomile for digestive complaints, mild anxiety and sleep support.

Essential oil^[1]

Steam-distilled from the flower heads; a concentrated source of alpha-bisabolol and chamazulene, used mainly in topical and aromatherapy preparations.

Topical cream/compress^[12]

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.

Dosage

Infusion (tea)^{[16, 17, 18, 19, 20]}

Traditional guidance and Duke (2002) suggest about 3 g of dried flower heads per cup of water, taken up to three times daily. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[16, 17, 18, 19, 20]}Caution

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.

Safety note^{[16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21]}Caution

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).

Safety note^{[16, 17, 18, 19, 20]}Caution

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.

Safety note^{[16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21]}Info

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).

Herb-Drug Interactions

Anticoagulants Antiplatelets^[22]Caution

Mechanism: Chamomile contains natural coumarin constituents and has been linked in a case report to increased bleeding when taken with warfarin, so caution is advised when combining it with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.