Chamomile

Chamomile flowers

Identification

English common name: Chamomile

Latin binomials:

  • Matricaria Chamomilla: German Chamomile
  • Chamaemelum Nobile: Roman Chamomile

Other common names: Camomile, Wild Chamomile, Ground Apple, Manzanilla, Camomill, Camamyll, Maythen, Ground Apple, Chamomel

Dutch common names: Kamille, Echte Kamille (German), Roomse Kamille (Roman), Duitse Kamille (German), Wilde Kamille (Wild Chamomile of either variety), Kammele, Kamelle, Kamillekruid, Oogstroost

French common names: Camomille, Camomille Allemande (German), Camomille Romaine (Roman), Camomille Vraie (German), Camomille Odorante (Roman), Petite Camomille (usually Roman), Camomille Sauvage (usually German), Camomilla

German common names: Kamille, Echte Kamille (German), Römische Kamille (Roman), Deutsche Kamille (German), Kummille, Kümille, Augenkraut, Maiblume

Spanish common names: Manzanilla, Camomila, Manzanilla Alemana (German), Manzanilla Común (German), Manzanilla Romana (Roman), Camomila Alemana (German), Camomila Romana (Roman), Camamila, Camomilla, Camonera, Mançanela

Italian common names: Camomilla, Camomilla Tedesca (German), Camomilla Comune (German), Camomilla Romana (Roman), Camomilla Selvatica (Wild Chamomile of either variety), Camomilla Nobile (Roman), Camumilla, Camumeddha, Mammana, Margheritella

Plant family: Asteraceae (Daisy family)

Botanical description: Soft, feathery green leaves; daisy-like flowers with white petals and a yellow center. German chamomile is an annual growing up to 60 cm tall; Roman chamomile is a low-growing perennial.

Related species:

  • Anthemis Arvensis (Corn Chamomile)
  • Tripleurospermum Inodorum (Scentless Mayweed)

Lookalikes:

  • Scentless Chamomile
  • Pineapple Weed (Matricaria Discoidea)
  • Feverfew (Tanacetum Parthenium)

Cultivars: Most herbal use comes from non-cultivar types, but some ornamental varieties exist of Roman Chamomile for ground cover.

Medicinal properties

Recommended cultivars:

  • Matricaria Chamomilla: for tea and internal use
  • Chamaemelum Nobile: for aromatherapy and external use

Parts used: Flowers (dried or fresh)

Taste: Mildly bitter, sweet, apple-like

Actions:

  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Carminative
  • Antispasmodic
  • Sedative
  • Nervine
  • Diaphoretic
  • Vulnerary
  • Mild antimicrobial

Energetics:

  • Cooling
  • Drying
  • Mildly bitter
  • Relaxing

Medicinal uses:

  • Relieves digestive discomfort (gas, bloating, IBS)
  • Soothes anxiety, stress and insomnia
  • Reduces inflammation (skin, GI tract, mucosa)
  • Helps with menstrual pain
  • Promotes wound healing
  • Soothes irritated skin

Specific indications:

  • Anxiety with gastrointestinal symptoms
  • Sleep disorders in children and adults
  • Teething pain in infants (external application)
  • Colic, cramping, and flatulence

Medicinal preparations:

  • Tea (infusion)
  • Tincture
  • Compress or poultice
  • Salve
  • Essential oil (for external/aromatic use only)

Ratio and dosage:

  • Tea: 1-2 tsp dried flowers per cup, steep 10-15 mins, 2-3x/day
  • Tincture: 1-4 ml up to 3x/day
  • Essential oil: 1-2% dilution for topical use

Uses in beauty products:

  • Skin calming creams and lotions
  • Hair lightening products
  • Anti-inflammatory serums
  • Bath soaks for relaxation and skin conditions

Precautions and contradictions:

  • Generally safe; may cause allergic reaction in those sensitive to Asteraceae family
  • Use essential oil with caution; never ingest
  • High doses may cause vomiting
  • Avoid during pregnancy in large amounts (especially Roman chamomile)

Magical properties

Facility:

  • Protection
  • Purification
  • Abundance, Prosperity, Money, Wealth
  • Sleep
  • Luck
  • Tranquility, Calming, Soothing, Peace
  • Love
  • Sun magic
  • Spiritual clarity
  • Banishing
  • Hex-breaking
  • Love

Magical uses and folklore

  • Burn as incense for protection or purification
  • Used in sleep sachets and dream pillows
  • Wash hands with chamomile infusion for luck in gambling (folk belief)
  • Sprinkled around property for peaceful energies
  • Used in bath spells to attract love or soothe stress

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Sun

Element: Water (sometimes Fire depending on tradition)

Crystals that work well with it:

  • Amethyst (calm)
  • Citrine (sun, abundance)
  • Moonstone (dream work)

Other herbs that work well with it:

  • Lavender
  • Lemon Balm
  • Valerian
  • Rose
  • Mugwort

Rune Berkana (healing, nurturing, femininity)

Chakras

  • Solar Plexus (calm)
  • Third Eye (dreams)
  • Heart (soothing)

Chakras (essential oil form)

  • Sacral
  • Throat

Zodiac signs: Cancer, Pisces, Virgo

Deity correspondences:

  • Brigid
  • Apollo
  • Eir
  • Demeter

Cultivation

Native to:

  • German Chamomile: Europe and Western Asia
  • Roman Chamomile: Western Europ

Zones:

  • German Chamomile: USDA zones 4-9 (annual)
  • Roman Chamomile: USDA zones 5-9 (perennial)

Soil:

  • Well-drained, moderately rich soil
  • Prefers pH 5.6-7.5
  • Tolerates poor soil if not too wet

Propagation

  • German Chamomile: From seed, direct sow or start indoors
  • Roman Chamomile: From seed or division of runners

Growing information and garden care:

  • Full sun to partial shade
  • Water moderately, avoid soggy soil
  • Deadhead for extended flowering
  • May self-seed readily

Insects and diseases:

  • Susceptible to aphids, thrips
  • Watch for powdery mildew or root rot if overwatered

Harvesting and preparations:

  • Harvest flower heads when fully open
  • Dry in shade, well-ventilated area
  • Store dried flowers in an airtight container away from sunlight