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Matricaria chamomilla

Matricaria chamomilla

Other names: Heřmánek

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.
Heřmánek pravý — kvetoucí rostlina (foto druhu Matricaria recutita na Commons; blízký příbuzný heřmánku).

Fotografie na 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
Full harvest section
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

Finely dissected, thread-like leaves.

Possible mix-ups and risks

Distinguish from yarrow by the receptacle shape.

Similar herbs

Topics and symptoms

More topics are in the symptoms and topics overview.

Geographic occurrence

  • Czechia

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Austria

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Germany

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Hungary

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Poland

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Slovakia

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • France

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Morocco

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Canada

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Australia

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

Harvest

  • FlowerMay–July

    léto

    Region: Czechia

    Notes: Harvest note (full translation pending): Kvetenstvi v suchu.

Storage

  • Drying(Leaf)

    Sušený rostlinný materiál uchovávej v uzavřené nádobě.

    Light:
    Mimo přímé UV.
    Moisture:
    Nízká relativní vlhkost.

Processing methods on this herb card

  • Herbal infusion (tea)(Flower)Suitability: High suitability

    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

    Procedure (recipe)

    Matricaria chamomilla — Herbal infusion (tea) (Flower)

    About 10 min · Difficulty: Beginner

    Extraction parameters (rough guide): 250 ml water · 95–100 °C · 5–10 min steep

    1. Harvest fully open flower heads and air-dry briefly in the shade (optional).
    2. Use 1–2 teaspoons dried flowers or 2–3 whole heads per cup.
    3. Pour boiling water, cover, and steep 5–10 minutes. Strain — lightly bittersweet flavor.

    Why this way (extraction / behaviour of constituents)

    Úbory heřmánku se typicky louhují kratší dobou než listové drogy; HMPC text pro květ popisuje tradiční rámec přípravků, ne kuchyňské experimenty s dávkou. Plně rozvinuté úbory mají jiný poměr povrchu k hmotnosti než drobně nasekaný květ.

    What is typically released
    Flavonoidy a polární frakce; silice částečně unikají párou.
    Solvent / water
    Voda těsně pod/vroucí dle zvyku.
    After preparation
    Po vychladnutí krátce v chladu, ideálně ihned vypij.

    Extra literature for the recipe

  • Bath additive(Flower)Suitability: High suitability

    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

    Procedure (recipe)

    Bath with chamomile infusion

    About 25 min · Difficulty: Beginner

    1. Make a strong infusion: steep 3–4 tsp dried flowers in 500 ml boiling water under a lid for 15 minutes, then strain.
    2. Pour the infusion into a comfortably warm bath (not scalding).
    3. Soak about 15–20 minutes; pat skin dry and rest afterwards — often in the evening.

    Omit the bath if you are allergic to Asteraceae; with infants, ask a paediatrician.

    Why this way (extraction / behaviour of constituents)

    Home preparation following this recipe is mainly educational and cultural; it should not be assumed to match the extractive or safety profile of registered medicines or standardized extracts. Check specific effects, drug interactions, and contraindications on the herb card and with your clinician if you use prescription drugs.

    What is typically released
    orientační domácí extrakce — profil závisí na teplotě, čase řezu a poměrech
    Solvent / water
    mediální složení (voda, alkohol, olej, med…) viz jednotlivé kroky
    After preparation
    po přípravě uchovávej hygienicky a podle typu výrobku (chlad, světlo, alkohol)

    Extra literature for the recipe

  • Honey macerate(Flower)Suitability: High suitability

    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

    Procedure (recipe)

    Chamomile flower honey

    About 30 min · Difficulty: Beginner

    1. Fill a jar about one third with dried flower heads and cover with honey.
    2. Macerate 3–4 weeks, then strain through cloth.
    3. If you are allergic to Asteraceae plants, omit.

    Maceration takes weeks.

    Why this way (extraction / behaviour of constituents)

    Home preparation following this recipe is mainly educational and cultural; it should not be assumed to match the extractive or safety profile of registered medicines or standardized extracts. Check specific effects, drug interactions, and contraindications on the herb card and with your clinician if you use prescription drugs.

    What is typically released
    orientační domácí extrakce — profil závisí na teplotě, čase řezu a poměrech
    Solvent / water
    mediální složení (voda, alkohol, olej, med…) viz jednotlivé kroky
    After preparation
    po přípravě uchovávej hygienicky a podle typu výrobku (chlad, světlo, alkohol)

    Extra literature for the recipe

  • Hydrosol (hydrolat)(Flower)Suitability: Medium suitability

    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

    Procedure (recipe)

    Chamomile flower water (hydrosol)

    About 20 min · Difficulty: Advanced

    1. A hydrosol forms as the aqueous phase when flowers are distilled — home preparation needs distillation equipment; otherwise buy stabilised hydrosol.
    2. Store refrigerated; for cosmetic use patch-test on the forearm first.

    Why this way (extraction / behaviour of constituents)

    Home preparation following this recipe is mainly educational and cultural; it should not be assumed to match the extractive or safety profile of registered medicines or standardized extracts. Check specific effects, drug interactions, and contraindications on the herb card and with your clinician if you use prescription drugs.

    What is typically released
    orientační domácí extrakce — profil závisí na teplotě, čase řezu a poměrech
    Solvent / water
    mediální složení (voda, alkohol, olej, med…) viz jednotlivé kroky
    After preparation
    po přípravě uchovávej hygienicky a podle typu výrobku (chlad, světlo, alkohol)

    Extra literature for the recipe

  • Herb bundle(Flower)Suitability: High suitability

    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

    Procedure (recipe)

    Chamomile bundle for a bath bag

    About 15 min · Difficulty: Beginner

    1. Tie dried flowers in a cloth bag and steep in warm water for a few minutes.
    2. A cooled infusion on a sterile cloth can also be used as an eye compress.

    Omit if you are allergic to Asteraceae plants.

    Why this way (extraction / behaviour of constituents)

    Home preparation following this recipe is mainly educational and cultural; it should not be assumed to match the extractive or safety profile of registered medicines or standardized extracts. Check specific effects, drug interactions, and contraindications on the herb card and with your clinician if you use prescription drugs.

    What is typically released
    orientační domácí extrakce — profil závisí na teplotě, čase řezu a poměrech
    Solvent / water
    mediální složení (voda, alkohol, olej, med…) viz jednotlivé kroky
    After preparation
    po přípravě uchovávej hygienicky a podle typu výrobku (chlad, světlo, alkohol)

    Extra literature for the recipe

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 lore

    Chamomile 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 text

    Limitations: Allergic cross-reactivity with Asteraceae; drug interaction data incomplete for concentrated products; not interchangeable with arbitrary home teas.

    Vstup do odborné literatury (orientační)

  • Evidence summary (full translation pending): EMA HMPC pro kvet hermanku (Matricaria) popisuje tradicni pouziti a bezpecnostni ramec bylinnych pripravku; nejedna se o navod k lecbe konkretniho onemocneni.

    Review articleRegulatory assessment / monograph (EMA, WHO…)Year: 2016

    Preparation form in the study: infusion

    Active compound / focus: seskviterpenové laktony (např. parthenolid), flavonoidy

    Limitations: Limitations (translation pending): Domaci caj nemusi odpovidat standardizovanym extraktum; u alergie na Asteraceae nepouzivejte.

    Dose note (from literature): Dosage notes (translation pending): Referencni dokumentace k pripravkum, ne k domaci koncentraci.

    EMA Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) — European Medicines Agency

    EMA: Assessment report on Matricaria recutita L., flos

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.