Herbs in Focus: Chamomile

chamomile growing in a field

Chamomile is likely another one of those herbs, like lavender, that seems very familiar. You’ve also likely seen it in everything from bath products to teas. What do those two herbs have in common? A very long and well-documented history of use, across cultures, to help soothe and calm.

From dried flowers to chamomile extract, chamomile like lavender, is a remarkably versatile herb, and one that’s a staple with apothecaries, herbalists, and naturopathic doctors for good reason.

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What is Chamomile?

Chamomile is best known for it’s daisy-like flowers and it is, in fact, part of the Asteraceae family, which is the same plant family as daisies and sunflowers. Their leaves are fine, even fern-like, and branch out to feature abundant flowers, often reaching 1-3 feet. Because it self-seeds, it’s an easy one to grow, especially in well-drained soils with full to partial sun and good airflow.

When dried, the flower’s golden yellow center is more prominent than the white petals. Chamomile, however, refers to several plants rather than just one and this includes German chamomile, which is most often what’s used in herbal preparations.

This group of plants has a long history of use in herbal traditions and formulations often use the flowers, which are:

  • Dried and used in teas and other herbal blends
  • Processed into chamomile extract 
  • Distilled for chamomile essential oil

The chamomile oil and extract allow it to be easily included in topical or infused products making it a very versatile. Additionally, because this is a group of plants, understanding the different species, plant parts, and preparations can inform how chamomile is used. Not all chamomile is the same and so each plant is used differently.

German Chamomile vs. Chamomile

When you see chamomile or even German chamomile on a label, it’s easy to assume this is the single plant, perhaps grown in different regions, but it’s not. Instead, chamomile is used to describe several closely related species, often referred to as German chamomile or Roman chamomile.

Both have a long history in herbal formulations and though the names are similar, they grow differently, are used for different reasons, and different forms of each are used in preparations.

For example, chamomile tea and chamomile extracts are most likely German chamomile. 

German chamomile:

  • Grows upright, 1-3 feet
  • Daisy like flowers with raised hollow, yellow centers
  • Completes its lifecycle in one season
  • Often found in teas, extracts, and essential oils

Roman chamomile:

  • Shorter, but spreads farther
  • Often used as ground cover
  • Perennial (returns yearly)
  • Different aroma and flowering
  • Used in landscaping, aromatics, and essential oils.

The differences go beyond how they grow, what they look like and their aromas.

Each species:

  • Has different naturally occurring compounds
  • Is processed differently
  • Determines whether you’re using flowers, chamomile extract, essential oil, or even chamomile seeds for planting
  • Determines how it’s working in the formulation you purchase

However, when it comes to most herbal preparations, and for the purposes of this blog, when we say chamomile, we are talking about German chamomile since it’s most commonly used in teas, extracts, and modern herbal formulations.

So why mention the distinction at all? It becomes important when we look at its historical use as well as the herbal traditions that developed around it.

Botanical drawing of chamomile

A Brief History of Chamomile in Herbal Traditions

When we look at the historical use of chamomile in herbal tradition, the difference between German chamomile and other chamomile species becomes more important. Chamomile has been used for thousands of years and is among the most widely used herbs across multiple cultures and continents. This longevity can be attributed to both how easily it grows and how versatile it can be. 

Chamomile’s Origins

Chamomile’s history goes way back to ancient civilizations where it was not only a part of everyday life, but also treasured as a valuable medicinal herb. Chamomile appears in:

  • Ancient Egyptian practices and rituals, including mummification
  • Greek and Roman traditions including teas and baths
  • Early European folk medicine including teas and home remedies

These cultures passed along this plant wisdom, eventually helping chamomile and its medicinal usage spread through trade and agriculture, increasing its use in herbal traditions.

Why Early Herbalists Used Chamomile

As we mentioned earlier, chamomile re-seeds itself and grows easily. This kind of accessibility is one reason it became popular with herbalists. It grows well, produces abundant flowers, is easy to dry, and is versatile. This is especially true of German chamomile which is why it became widely cultivated.

All of those characteristics make chamomile appealing, but it’s also:

  • Easy to identify, grow, and harvest
  • Flexible and versatile
  • Gentle enough for regular or daily use
  • Useful both internally and externally


For this reason, chamomile has been used in teas, infusions, poultices/compresses, oils, aromatics, and baths. Eventually, these preparations evolved into the modern forms we see today including teas, chamomile extract, tinctures, and topical products.

Benefits of German Chamomile 

Perhaps one of the things that has boosted chamomiles longevity and popularity is that it’s not relegated to a single use. It’s versatile in its form as well as in its benefits. It has a long history of traditional use while clinical evidence and research are still ongoing.

What we’ll cover here are both the well-documented traditional uses as well as the clinical research that, where possible, supports its historical uses.

Chamomile Benefits:

  • Supports relaxation and calm- This is perhaps one of chamomile’s best known uses. It’s why you’ll find it in nighttime or calming teas. This benefit is attributable to its naturally occurring compounds, including apigenin, a flavonoid that appears to interact with the pathways that encourage calm. In fact, some clinical trials suggest chamomile may even help with anxiety symptoms (1).
  • May support better sleep quality- Again, you’ll find chamomile in nighttime teas (or used on its own) and in aromatics. Some current research seems to support chamomile, in specific populations, being used as a way to support sleep quality, though it does not work like a sedative (2).
  • May offer digestive support- Sometimes, it’s more than your nerves or anxiety that needs calming. Chamomile has also been used to soothe the digestive system and some recent research suggests it’s commonly used for issues like indigestion (3).
  • May offer skin soothing and topical benefits- Chamomile extract and oils are often used in topical formulations for this reason. Research does support this application as chamomile includes compounds that influence inflammatory pathways, which is one reason we include it in our hemp balm (4).

Many of the benefits are closely tied to naturally occurring compounds, both flavonoids and terpenoids, and those are, currently, under continued study. However, it’s important to note that, as with all botanicals, preparation method (teas, extracts, topicals) often influence the way the body experiences the benefits.

dried chamomile next to a cup of chamomile tea

What Is Chamomile Good For and Who Benefits?

In addition to its versatility, one of the best aspects of chamomile is how gentle and approachable it is. While some botanicals are highly targeted or can be intense, chamomile easily fits into daily life and routines. However, that doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone!

Chamomile for Relaxation and Stress Support

It’s got a strong and long-lasting reputation as a calming herb. Chamomile teas or extracts are often included in relaxation or meditation routines and may appeal to those seeking:

  • Caffeine free evening rituals
  • Gentle daily support for stress or anxiety
  • A ritual routine that focuses on relaxation

Chamomile for Digestive Comfort

As we said, it’s a soothing herb and it has calming properties that also extend into digestion, especially when taken as a tea. It may be useful for:

  • Occasional digestive discomfort
  • Minor upset stomach
  • Post-meal soother
  • Daily digestive support

Chamomile for Skin and Topical Support

Again, let’s focus on the soothing aspect of chamomile. One of the benefits is that the compounds influence inflammatory pathways. In other words, in topical products, like our hemp balm, chamomile may offer anti-inflammatory benefits. Look for chamomile in:

  • Bath soaks (great for bedtime!)
  • Creams and lotions
  • Balms and salves
  • Sensitive skin formulations

Chamomile is best for individuals seeking a gentle botanical option that provides versatility in terms of form (teas, topicals, extracts, oils) and can easily be added to routines and rituals.

We must add, though, that while it’s gentle, chamomile may not be ideal for individuals with allergies in the daisy family. This is especially true for concentrated forms like extracts and oils. As with any botanical, medication interactions are also possible, particularly when ingested, and particularly when it comes to blood thinners (3).

Ultimately, chamomile’s strengths lie in its simplicity; it grows quickly (and easily) and can be easily added to routines through a variety of mechanisms.

Choosing a High-Quality Botanical with Chamomile

As with all botanicals, quality matters and as with all plants, that often starts well before it reaches a tea bag, topical, or tincture. For chamomile, it starts with species selection, but also includes growing practices, harvesting methods and processing.

1. Start with the right species

As we discussed, which chamomile is being used matters. German chamomile is most common in teas, extracts, and formulas, but as we always recommend, read the label!

Need help decoding botanical and herbal supplement labels?

2. Check the preparation

How chamomile is prepared impacts which compounds are present. Chamomile flowers are often used in teas where extract is used in concentrated formulations like tinctures, and essential oil is used in aromatics and topicals. Choose the right format for what you need!

3. Read the label

We stress this often. The most important part of any botanical product you’re purchasing is the product label. Look for: 

  • Clearly labeled ingredients
  • Sourcing information if available
  • Limited additives or fillers (single or limited ingredient formulas are best)
  • Products with a clear purpose that uses targeted ingredients

Chamomile often complements other botanicals and so it is often used in combination formulas, so consider how chamomile is used.

SuperTrees Hemp Balm

This is the exact methodology we use when developing our formulations. We first consider the goal we’re trying to achieve and then, carefully select the botanicals that will help us achieve that and work effectively. That’s why our hemp balm includes chamomile as well as other intentionally chosen ingredients.

Chamomile is included because of its well-documented history of use in skin soothing and supporting formulas. When it’s combined with high quality hemp extract, they’re complementary, especially when it comes to both anti-inflammatory and skin soothing benefits.

You’ve probably had chamomile tea, but have you tried it in other formulations? Head over to the shop and check out our hemp balm! Chamomile, a classic botanical, fits really well into this formulation and we encourage you to try it. If you have additional questions, please feel free to reach out to our team!

*As with anything, you should always consult with your primary care doctor prior to adding new medications, botanicals, or supplements to your routine.


Sources:

  1. Saadatmand, S., Jafarirad, S., & colleagues. (2024). The effect of oral chamomile on anxiety: A systematic review of clinical trials. Clinical Nutrition Research, 13(2), 71–84. https://doi.org/10.7762/cnr.2024.13.2.71
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11109927/
  2. Kazemi, A., Shojaei-Zarghani, S., Eskandarzadeh, P., & 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, 103071. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2024.103071
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39106912/
  3. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (n.d.). Chamomile. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from
    https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/chamomile
  4. Srivastava, J. K., Shankar, E., & Gupta, S. (2010). Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future. Molecular Medicine Reports, 3(6), 895–901. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2010.377
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2982259/


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