Matricaria chamomilla
Matricaria chamomilla
The classic chamomile tea flower.
Flower head with a hollow receptacle.
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Plant type
- Annual herb
- Safety level (indicative)
- Caution
What the safety levels mean (expand legend)
- Generally recognised as safe. Often a common herb with reasonable harvest and use; still read the specific warnings on the card.
- Information. Primarily informational — details in the text and warnings below matter most.
- Caution. Needs extra care (dose, duration, sensitive groups, interactions).
- Risky. Significant risks — verify sources, contraindications and professional guidance.
- Not for home experimentation. Not suitable to experiment with at home without knowledge and certainty.
- High risk for internal use. Particular risk with internal use (e.g. alkaloids); avoid prolonged or irresponsible dosing.
- Not specified. Level not filled in yet — rely on individual warnings and links below.
Photograph on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Plant habit
Safety — read before use
For this herb it is important to check warnings, mix-ups and cautions. Start with the Safety section.
Quick overview
A practical summary; details are in the sections below.
- Safety grade
- Caution·details
- Scientific sources on the card
- Yes — sources are listed with claims·Science section
- When and what to harvest
- Flower — May–July
- Processing methods
Herbal infusion (tea), Bath additive, Honey macerate, Hydrosol (hydrolat) and more
All methods and recipes on the card- Topics and symptoms
Anxiety & inner restlessness, Bloating & gas, Common cold — overall comfort…
Topics section · Symptoms overview
Identification and mix-ups
Annual herb with erect branched stems, 2–3-pinnate leaves with linear segments, and a characteristic pleasant aromatic scent. Receptacle conical and hollow (visible cavity on longitudinal section), without chaff scales. Ray florets soon reflexed downward after anthesis.
Possible mix-ups and risks
Most likely confused with scentless mayweed (Tripleurospermum inodorum, syn. Matricaria inodora) — lacks characteristic scent, receptacle solid and flat, achenes with conspicuous oil-glands; and corn chamomile (Anthemis arvensis) — receptacle solid with chaff scales, weakly scented. German chamomile is distinguished from both by its hollow conical receptacle, absence of chaff, and strong pleasant aroma.
Similar herbs
- Achillea millefolium
Flower heads used in teas from both garden and meadow traditions; identify by the leaves and the receptacle.
- Calendula officinalis
Flower teas and garden symbolism; different botanical family and dried-material handling.
Topics and symptoms
More topics are in the symptoms and topics overview.
- Anxiety & inner restlessnessTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Bloating & gasTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Common cold — overall comfortTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Diarrhea and indigestionTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- DigestionScientific· Preliminary or weaker scientific findingsTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Feverish feeling and chillsTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Head tension & headachesTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- HeartburnTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Heavy digestionTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Insect bites (topical)Traditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Menstrual comfortTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Mood swingsTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Mouth and gumsTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Muscles after exertionTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Nausea & queasy stomachTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Sadness and melancholyTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Skin after sunTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Sleep & dreamsTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Tired eyesTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- TopicAromatherapy· Traditional / cultural framingScientific· Preliminary or weaker scientific findingsTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Trauma - gentle symbolic supportTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Women's topics in folk herbalismTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
Drug interactions and photosensitivity
Information on the card — not a substitute for professional medical care or individual assessment.
Drug interactions
For oral use: interactions based on effects on the CYP450 system have been reported in renal transplant patients taking high doses for approximately two months (EMA HMPC monograph section 4.5). No clinically relevant interactions are documented for standard short-term use as herbal tea.
Sources
Identification
Confusion risk
Drug interactions
Geographic occurrence
Czechia
Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)
Widespread occurrence in the Czech Republic in suitable habitats.
Austria
Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)
Wave 1 (seed): broad range in Central Europe — verify with floras and national checklists.
Germany
Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)
Wave 1 (seed): broad range in Central Europe — verify with floras and national checklists.
Hungary
Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)
Wave 1 (seed): broad range in Central Europe — verify with floras and national checklists.
Poland
Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)
Wave 1 (seed): broad range in Central Europe — verify with floras and national checklists.
Slovakia
Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)
Wave 1 (seed): broad range in Central Europe — verify with floras and national checklists.
France
Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)
France: occurrence for the main European catalogue taxa — refine with national atlases / red lists.
Morocco
Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)
Maghreb top 20 — verify with atlases, national floras, and cultivated occurrence.
Canada
Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)
Canada / North America top 20 — verify with floras, naturalised populations, and cultivated spread.
Australia
Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)
Australia top 20: archaeophytes and endemics — verify with national floras and introduced-species references.
Harvest
- FlowerMay–July
léto
Region: CzechiaNotes: Inflorescence in dry weather.
Storage
- Drying(Leaf)
Keep dried plant material in a sealed container.
- Light:
- Out of direct UV.
- Moisture:
- Low relative humidity.
Processing methods on this herb card
Infusion or brief extraction in hot water; usually without long boiling.
Full method description (from the catalogue)
In the narrow sense, “tea” often means an infusion: you pour water just off the boil over the dried plant matter and let it steep for a few minutes. Temperature, steep time, and the herb-to-water ratio change both flavour and what dissolves into the liquid.
Compared with a decoction, heat exposure is shorter and gentler; tender leaves and flowers are often better as an infusion than with prolonged simmering. For each herb, always follow the plant card for suitable plant part, preparation, and safety notes — general rules never replace species-level judgement.
Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: no
Matricaria chamomilla — Herbal infusion (tea) (Flower)
About 10 minBeginnerScience profile
Addition to bath water or a bath decoction; topical use.
Full method description (from the catalogue)
Bath preparations transfer soluble compounds into water for short-term skin contact. Concentration and water temperature change sensation and possible irritation.
Rinse the tub afterwards so residues from strongly coloured plants do not linger.
Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: no
Macerating plant material in honey (a honey conserve).
Full method description (from the catalogue)
Honey as a maceration medium creates a viscous mixture with its own biochemistry: water activity, acidity, and enzymes influence shelf life and flavour. Traditionally it is used with delicate flowers or herbs when you want aroma bound into honey.
Infant botulism guidance for honey and honey safety in general sit outside a single herb page; maceration time, ratios, and storage must follow a vetted recipe and source, not this general overview alone.
Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: no
Aqueous phase from steam distillation (floral water); not the same as macerated oil.
Full method description (from the catalogue)
A hydrosol forms alongside essential oil during distillation and contains water-soluble polar compounds plus trace volatiles. It is often used topically or as a mild cosmetic water; quality depends on plant input and equipment.
Store cool and protected from light per product type.
Traditional context for this method: no·Scientific context for this method: yes
A tied bunch of dried or fresh herb (e.g. for bath or steam).
Full method description (from the catalogue)
A bundle keeps material together for dipping in water, steaming over a pot, or hanging in a shower. Bundle size changes how strongly the bath water picks up compounds.
After use, dry thoroughly or compost depending on material condition.
Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: no
Traditional / spiritual use
Kept separate from science — entries are cultural or symbolic, not medical advice.
Related guides in the library
Gentle chamomile tea and the image of a quiet evening
General
Traditional useFolk useHerbal loreChamomile has long been tied to mild flower tea and the folk picture of a soft bedtime hour. That cultural image is not suitability for every person and never replaces allergy checks or paediatric advice on the card.
- Form:
- čaj z květů
- Claim strength:
- Tradition
- Source note:
- Cultural chamomile-tea stereotype — always individual tolerance and allergy checks.
Scientific notes
Each claim lists a study type and a source (URL or DOI) where available. Dose notes from the literature are informational only.
How to read evidence strength and study type labels
Labels summarise how the catalogue entry is tagged — they are not a medical verdict on efficacy. For every row, read the summary, limitations and source link.
Evidence strength
- Evidence level not specified
- The author did not grade the record; judge from the summary, limitations and source link.
- Narrative / orientational literature
- Descriptive or expert literature without controlled group comparison — context rather than proof of effect.
- Weak evidence
- Study or conclusion with major methodological limits; treat only as a pointer for further reading.
- Preliminary findings
- First or smaller studies — interesting direction, not the final word on efficacy or safety.
- Moderate strength of evidence
- Moderate strength by study design; sample and context limits still apply.
- Stronger evidence
- Stronger design or consistency of results within the study's stated limits.
- Review article
- A review summarises multiple sources; quality depends on review method and field.
Study type
- Narrative / expert text
- Expert text or overview without a classical study design.
- In vitro study
- Cell culture or test-tube experiment — does not show an effect in the body.
- Animal study
- Animal model — transfer to humans is not automatic.
- Observational study
- Observing groups without random treatment assignment; confounding is possible.
- Clinical trial
- Human clinical trial; sample size and control group matter.
- Randomised controlled trial
- Randomised controlled trials are among the stronger designs when well conducted.
- Review study
- A review aggregates multiple papers — quality depends on selection rules.
- Systematic review
- Systematic review with explicit search and selection methodology.
- Meta-analysis
- Statistical pooling of studies; outcome depends on input data and heterogeneity.
- Regulatory assessment / monograph (EMA, WHO…)
- Regulatory body summary for a herbal product — different context from a single RCT; often about products, not home tea.
- Expert monograph (herbal preparations)
- Structured literature summary for a plant or drug — quality depends on author and edition year.
Chamomile flower extracts are widely studied for mild sedation endpoints and tolerability in children in some trials; evidence quality depends on extract type and comparator.
Evidence level not specifiedNarrative / expert textLimitations: Allergic cross-reactivity with Asteraceae; drug interaction data incomplete for concentrated products; not interchangeable with arbitrary home teas.
The EMA HMPC monograph for chamomile flower (Matricaria) describes traditional use and the safety framework of herbal preparations; it is not a treatment guide for a specific condition.
Review articleRegulatory assessment / monograph (EMA, WHO…)Year: 2016Preparation form in the study: infusion
Active compound / focus: sesquiterpene lactones (e.g. parthenolide), flavonoids
Limitations: A home tea may not match standardized extracts; do not use with an Asteraceae allergy.
Dose note (from literature): Reference documentation covers preparations, not home concentrations.
EMA Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) — European Medicines Agency
Images
The main photo is in the card header. More images will appear here when available.
Safety
What the warning types mean
The type on each warning helps group themes — it does not replace the separate severity badge.
- Internal use
- Risks from swallowing, extracts, duration of use or concentration for internal use.
- Interactions / medicines
- Possible effect on medicines or concurrent treatment — check sources and a professional.
- Raw plant parts
- Raw, unripe or poorly prepared plant parts can be dangerous.
- Toxins and regulation
- Toxic constituents or regulated compounds (e.g. in distillates).
- Contact with the plant
- Skin or mucosa irritation from contact with fresh plant or sap.
- Allergy
- Allergic reactions, often linked to family sensitisation.
- Harvesting and contamination
- Contamination, species mix-ups or harvesting from unsuitable places.
No structured safety records yet.