Matricaria chamomilla
German chamomile
CautionThe classic chamomile tea flower.
Flower head with a hollow receptacle.
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Plant type
- Annual herb
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.
Photo by kallerna, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. Flowering shoots; the hollow receptacle is not visible and requires a lengthwise section of a head to check.
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
An aromatic annual with branched stems and finely divided leaves. The heads have white ray florets and yellow disc florets. The cone-shaped receptacle is hollow, visible when a head is cut lengthwise, and lacks small scale-like bracts (chaff) between the florets. Compare all these features rather than relying on scent or white rays alone.
Possible mix-ups and risks
Scentless mayweed (Tripleurospermum inodorum) has little scent and a non-hollow receptacle. Corn chamomile (Anthemis arvensis) has pointed chaff scales between its disc florets. German chamomile has a hollow conical receptacle without chaff. Do not collect similar white-and-yellow heads without checking a lengthwise section and the other features.
Similar herbs
- Yarrow
Flower heads used in teas from both garden and meadow traditions; identify by the leaves and the receptacle.
- Pot marigold
Calendula and German chamomile both belong to Asteraceae. They are different species; their flowers and preparations are not interchangeable.
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
- Fear at bedtimeTraditional· 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
- 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
EMA reports CYP450-related interactions in renal transplant patients taking high oral doses for about two months. The assessment discusses a possible interaction with cyclosporine; the available data are inconclusive. This does not establish that short-term tea use is interaction-free.
Sources
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)
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
summer
Region: CzechiaNotes: Inflorescence in dry weather.
Storage
- Drying(Flower)
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)
Here, herbal tea is prepared as an infusion: pour freshly boiling water over dried herbs or a herbal blend and steep for at least 5 minutes. BfR gives this as a hygiene rule, not a medicinal dose. Follow the specific product instructions, including a longer steeping time when stated. This rule for herbal infusions is not a general preparation guide for true tea (Camellia sinensis). 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 15 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 herbs, for example for a bath.
Full method description (from the catalogue)
A bundle keeps material together for dipping in water or hanging in a shower. Bundle size changes how strongly the bath water picks up compounds. Do not lean over a pot or bowl of hot water to inhale steam; the NHS warns of serious scald injuries.
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
Traditional flower use in the European monograph
General
Traditional useFolk useHerbal loreThe 2015 EMA monograph recognizes long-standing traditional use of specified flower preparations, including for minor digestive complaints. It does not document folklore about a baby’s cot or universal suitability for children; age, preparation and route have their own restrictions.
- Form:
- flower tea
- Claim strength:
- Tradition
- Source note:
- EMA HMPC (2015), Matricaria recutita L., flos, sections 4.1–4.4: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-matricaria-recutita-l-flos-first-version_en.pdf
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.
The 2015 EMA assessment evaluates chamomile flower and essential oil separately. It accepts traditional use for specified flower preparations; this regulatory conclusion does not prove the effects of every home recipe.
Review articleRegulatory assessment / monograph (EMA, WHO…)Year: 2015Preparation form in the study: Flower: medicinal infusion and specified extracts
Active compound / focus: matricin; flavonoids including apigenin
Limitations: Conclusions depend on plant part, preparation and route of use. Medicinal infusion, essential oil, hydrosol and flowers in honey are not interchangeable. The monograph also covers herbal tea, not only standardized extracts.
EMA Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) — European Medicines Agency
EMA: Assessment report on Matricaria recutita L., flos and Matricaria recutita L., aetheroleum
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.
- Asteraceae allergy and preparation-specific restrictionsHigh severityAllergy
Do not use with an allergy to chamomile or other Asteraceae plants. Severe allergic reactions have been reported after liquid preparations contacted mucous membranes. Age limits depend on preparation and route; an adult dose cannot be transferred to a child. EMA distinguishes flower for infusion from extracts: safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is established for preparation a), while extracts b)–o) are not recommended because data are insufficient.