German Chamomile

Matricaria recutita

Chamomile flowers in a teacup

What herb helps with relaxation, sleep, cramps, digestion, calms babies, and soothes inflamed skin?

German Chamomile!

How well do you know chamomile? While most of us appreciate chamomile for its role in calming our nerves before bedtime, this humble herb holds a treasure trove of healing waiting to be discovered. Get ready to delve into the fascinating world of chamomile and uncover its extraordinary benefits that go far beyond just brewing a relaxing cup of tea.

Derived from the Greek chamaimēlon (“earth-apple”) for its apple-like scent, German chamomile has been used for centuries as an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and digestive aid. Its active compounds, including chamazulene, bisabolol, and flavonoids, are responsible for its therapeutic effects, validated by modern research. Today, German chamomile is a staple in herbalism and aromatherapy, with its essential oil amplifying its benefits.

While Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) and pineapple weed (Matricaria discoidea) share some properties, German chamomile’s unique chemical profile makes it particularly effective for digestion, skin conditions, and stress relief.

 It has traditionally served as an:

• Anti-inflammatory

• Digestive aid

• Mild sedative

• Skin soother

• Wound healer

• Gentle antimicrobial

Growing and Harvesting German Chamomile

German chamomile is an annual plant in the aster family that readily self-seeds. It thrives in cooler temperatures, provided the soil is well-drained and it receives ample sunlight. While native to Europe and parts of Asia, German chamomile grows successfully in North America. It can be grown from seeds or transplants, ensuring they're not buried too deeply in the soil. German chamomile can be quite easy to grow from seed, but it does not compete well with weeds, so be sure to keep your chamomile patch well-weeded. This is especially crucial if you intend to allow chamomile to self-seed, ensuring its successful growth. Personal experience confirms this; neglecting the garden for just two weeks can significantly impact the chamomile's health, sometimes requiring starting over.

A berry picker that can be used to harvest chamomile flowers

Harvesting ideally occurs in mid to late summer when the flowers are in bloom. The blossoms contain the plant's medicinal properties. Hand-picking or cutting the stems is sufficient, with no need to separate the petals from the flower heads. Many find the use of a berry picker to be an easy way to harvest. To dry the flowers, spread them in an area with good airflow and moderate light, as excessive light can reduce the essential oil content. Dry the blossoms between 85ºF and 95ºF, ensuring thorough drying before storage. Store them in airtight glass containers to preserve their quality.

Drying harvested chamomile blossoms

Benefits of German Chamomile

German chamomile’s benefits are rooted in its bioactive compounds, supported by studies:

• Relaxation and Sleep: Apigenin in chamomile calms the nervous system, helping you unwind and sleep better. It’s a gentle way to ease stress without heavy drowsiness, safe for all ages.

• Anti-Inflammatory: Chamazulene has been shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory agent, soothing skin issues like eczema, psoriasis, or sunburns, and easing respiratory irritation.

• Wound Healing: Bisabolol helps heal minor cuts, burns, and mouth sores faster while fighting germs to prevent infection.

• Digestion and Cramps: Matricin in chamomile relaxes the digestive system, relieving gas, bloating, nausea, and cramps. It’s also great for colicky babies. A longer steep (20+ minutes) brings out more bitter components that boost digestion and relieve cramps.

• Calming Babies: Diluted chamomile tea or essential oil soothes fussy infants, supported by its gentle sedative and antispasmodic properties.

• Skin Soothing: Bisabolol and chamazulene reduce redness and irritation, making chamomile perfect for rashes, burns, or diaper rash.
  

chamomile flowers

Ways to Use Chamomile

• Chamomile Tea

  • Short Steep (5–10 min): Relaxation, gentle nervine, child-safe

  • Long Steep (20+ min): Digestion, cramps, stress-related tension

  • Tea Bath: Add 1–2 cups of strong chamomile tea to warm bathwater with a handful of Epsom salts

• Compresses & Poultices

  Apply warm chamomile tea bags or cloths soaked in tea to:

  • Puffy or tired eyes

  • Minor skin irritations

  • Inflamed joints or muscles

• Tincture or Liniment

  Made with either fresh or dried flowers can help with promoting sleep, relieving muscle tension, and calming a spastic, dry cough. Used topically to calm inflammation, relieve pain of sore muscles, and serve as an antimicrobial for minor wounds.

• Infused Oil

  Steep dried chamomile flowers in a carrier oil like olive or jojoba for 2–4 weeks. Strain and use for:

  • Baby massage

  • Soothing salves

  • Gentle pain relief

• Essential Oil

  The essential oil of German chamomile is deep blue due to the compound chamazulene, formed during distillation. It’s rich in anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antifungal, and calming properties.

  • Aromatherapy: Use in a diffuser or personal inhaler to ease feelings of stress, anxiety, frustration, or anger

  • Topically: Apply to sore muscles, inflamed skin, or minor wounds

Recipes

Sleep Support Tea

• 1 part dried chamomile flowers

• 1 part dried lemon balm leaves

  Brew 2 tsp of tea blend per 8-oz cup of hot water. Steep for 10-15 minutes.  Sip before bed for a restful night.

Chamomile Honey Syrup

For digestion, coughs, and calming the nerves, simply stir a spoonful into your tea as desired

• 1 cup water

• ½-1 cup raw honey

• 2 Tbsp dried chamomile flowers

• 1 Tbsp dried lemon balm (optional, for extra calming effect)

  In a small saucepan, bring the water to a gentle simmer. Remove from heat and add the chamomile (and lemon balm, if using).

  Cover and steep for 20 minutes.

  Strain out the herbs, then stir in the honey while the tea is still warm (not hot) until dissolved.

  Store in a glass jar in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.

Soothing Skin Balm (1% dilution)

• 4 oz coconut or babassu oil infused with chamomile and calendula

• 1 oz beeswax pellets

• 12 drops German chamomile essential oil

• 8 drops lavender essential oil

  Melt beeswax in a double boiler, add infused oil, and stir until fully melted. Remove from heat, let cool slightly, then stir in essential oils. The chamomile is blue, so the color of the balm will change a bit. Pour into salve tins or small jars. Once cooled and solidified, add the lids and be sure to label. Use for irritated or sensitive skin.

Bath Sachet (safe for babies)

• 1 part dried chamomile flowers

• 1 part dried lavender flowers

• 1 part dried lemon balm leaves

• 1 part oats

  Mix in a bowl, store in an airtight jar. Scoop into a muslin bag and toss into warm bathwater for a calming soak.

Achy Joints Massage Oil (3% dilution)

• 1 oz jojoba oil

• 5 drops German chamomile essential oil

• 5 drops black spruce essential oil

• 5 drops rosemary essential oil

  Blend essential oils into carrier oil. Cap the bottle, and shake to blend. Be sure to label. Massage into achy joints as needed.

Evening Calm Diffuser Blend

• 2 drops German chamomile essential oil

• 2 drops lavender essential oil

• 2 drops bergamot essential oil

  Diffuse before bedtime for a peaceful wind-down.

Safety and Contraindications

• Chamomile is very gentle but may cause allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to ragweed, daisies, or similar plants

• Always patch test essential oil blends

• Check for herb-drug interactions with prescription medications

• For babies over 6 months old, use essential oils sparingly at a 0.5% dilution (2-3 drops per 1 oz carrier oil), applied to the belly, avoiding the face

• Pregnant or nursing individuals should consult a healthcare provider before use

Loose chamomile tea

Final Thoughts

German chamomile offers remarkable benefits beyond a soothing cup of tea. From promoting relaxation and healing wounds to aiding digestion, this herb is a natural treasure. Try one of the recipes above, brew a cup of chamomile tea, and enjoy its gentle healing properties in your daily life. Have a favorite chamomile recipe? Share it in the comments below!