Chamomile is often the first herb people get to know, and for good reason. It’s gentle, it tastes like apples and honey, and it has been a household remedy in Europe for centuries. Here’s a simple introduction.
At a glance
- Common name: German chamomile
- Latin name: Matricaria chamomilla
- Family: Asteraceae (the daisy family)
- Part used: the flowers
- Taste: aromatic, lightly bitter, a little sweet
- Energetics: gently relaxing; often described as slightly cooling
- Traditionally used for: calming, restful sleep, and settling the stomach
1. A calming herb
Chamomile is best known as a cup of tea before bed. Traditionally it’s used to ease a busy mind and help the body unwind at the end of the day. It’s mild enough that many families have long used it for the whole household.
2. A friend to digestion
Its aromatic, lightly bitter taste is a clue: chamomile has a long tradition of use for an upset stomach, gas, and the kind of indigestion that comes with stress. A cup after a heavy meal is an old habit worth keeping.
3. Gentle on the skin
A cooled, strong chamomile tea has been used as a soothing wash for irritated skin, and cooled tea bags are a classic for tired eyes.
4. How to prepare it
- Use 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried flowers (or one tea bag) per cup of just-boiled water.
- Cover the cup while it steeps so the aromatic oils stay in the tea.
- Steep for 5 to 10 minutes. A longer steep is stronger and more bitter.
- Strain and enjoy, with a little honey if you like.
5. Growing chamomile
German chamomile is an easy annual. Sow the tiny seeds on the surface of the soil in full sun; they need light to germinate, so press them in gently rather than burying them. Pick the flowers when they’re fully open, on a dry morning, and dry them on a screen out of direct sun. It often reseeds itself for next year.
Safety
- People allergic to ragweed, daisies, or other plants in the daisy family may react to chamomile.
- Chamomile may interact with blood thinners such as warfarin, and with sedatives. Check with your doctor or pharmacist.
- If you’re pregnant or nursing, ask your doctor or midwife before using it regularly.
Your exercise: taste two strengths
Brew two cups: steep one for 3 minutes and the other for 10. Taste them side by side. Notice how the longer steep turns more bitter. That bitterness is part of what makes chamomile helpful for digestion.
Want to grow your own? Chamomile seedlings may join our plant starters.
This post is for learning only and isn’t medical advice. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using herbs, especially if you’re pregnant or nursing, take medication, or are managing a health condition.
