Chamomile: Benefits, Properties, Medicinal & Magical Uses (The Ultimate Guide!)
Chamomile: The Herb Everyone Thinks They Know (But Don’t!)
Chamomile. You probably think you know it—maybe as the tea you drink when you can’t sleep or the go-to remedy your gran swore by.
But there’s so much more to this little flower than meets the eye.
Yes, it’s great for relaxation. But did you know it can also transform your skincare routine? Or that there are two main types (German and Roman), each with its own unique benefits?
If you’ve been curious about how to use chamomile effectively or what makes it so special, keep reading—you’ll find everything you need here.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Skin, stress, digestion—sorted: Chamomile’s benefits go way beyond tea.
- When and how to use it: Oils, teas, dried flowers—I’ll cover it all.
- Quick and easy recipes: Practical tips to make chamomile part of your routine.
Whether you’re looking for a way to unwind, care for your skin, or support your digestion, this guide explains everything you need to know.
Let’s get started.
First, just scroll through the basics about chamomile, always important to know!
Latin Name
There are two main types of chamomile used in herbal medicine, both offering similar benefits.
- German Chamomile: Matricaria recutita
- Roman Chamomile: Chamaemelum nobile
Taste/Fragrance
Chamomile not only offers incredible health benefits, but it also has a pleasant taste and fragrance.
I sometimes take it just because of its lovely, aromatic flavour (warm and embracing).
- Taste: Chamomile has a slightly bitter, aromatic taste.
- Fragrance: When crushed, the flowers have a sweet, apple-like scent, giving it the nickname “ground apple.”
Parts Used
The flowers are where chamomile’s magic lies. Whether fresh, dried, or in the form of essential oil, the flowers are packed with powerful benefits.
- Flowers (fresh or dried): These are the main part used, packed with powerful properties.
- Tip: Pick fresh flowers the day they open for the most active benefits.
- Essential Oil: Made from the flowers, chamomile oil is a highly concentrated form of its benefits.
Main Constituents
Chamomile is rich in natural compounds that contribute to its healing powers.
Each of these plays a role in its effectiveness:
- Volatile oils
- Flavonoids (antioxidants)
- Valerianic acid (calming effects)
- Coumarins (anti-inflammatory)
- Tannins (astringent)
- Salicylates (pain relief)
- Cyanogenic glycosides
Actions / Properties
Chamomile is a versatile herb with many therapeutic properties. Whether you need it for calming the mind or healing the skin, it offers a wide range of actions:
- Anti-microbial: Fights bacteria and germs.
- Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammation, making it great for skin and internal issues.
- Antispasmodic: Relieves muscle cramps and spasms.
- Anxiolytic: Reduces anxiety and promotes calm.
- Sedative/Relaxant: Helps with relaxation and sleep.
- Digestive: Eases digestive issues.
- Anti-emetic: Helps reduce nausea.
- Carminative: Relieves bloating and gas.
- Anti-allergenic: Helps reduce allergic reactions.
Indications
From calming an upset stomach to soothing anxiety and skin irritation, this versatile herb that can be used both internally and externally.
Whether you’re feeling stressed or dealing with skin discomfort, chamomile has a solution for everyone.
- Indigestion
- Digestive upsets
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Skin irritation
- Wound healing
Ok, time to learn about its medicinal power…
Here’s how chamomile can help with common health concerns:
1. Stress, Anxiety & Relaxation 🌿
In a world full of stress, chamomile offers a calming remedy. Whether it’s soothing your nerves or helping you drift off to sleep, chamomile is the herb you’ll want by your side.
- Helps ease feelings of stress and anxiety.
- Soothes irritability and tension, helping you to relax.
- A natural aid for insomnia—take a cup of chamomile tea before bed to help you sleep better.
- Calms headaches, migraines, and even toothache or earache.
- Contains spiroether, a strong antispasmodic, which helps relieve muscle tension and period pain.
2. Digestion 🍵
Chamomile is known for its ability to ease digestive discomfort. It can be used to soothe everything from indigestion to nausea and more serious digestive issues.
- Great for bloating, colic, and gastritis.
- Eases indigestion and can help regulate bowel movements.
- Relieves nausea and can even be helpful for travel sickness.
- Helps with more serious conditions like hiatus hernia, peptic ulcers, and Crohn’s disease.
3. Women’s Health 🌸
Women have long relied on chamomile for its ability to ease menstrual cramps and help with hormonal balance.
- Spiroether, an antispasmodic found in chamomile, helps relax tense muscles and relieve period pain.
- Calms irritability and tension associated with PMT and menopause.
- Can be a natural support for women’s health during different life stages.
4. Skin Irritation & Healing 🌼
Chamomile’s anti-inflammatory and healing properties make it a perfect natural remedy for skin irritations and minor wounds.
- Useful for eczema, psoriasis, and acne.
- Helps soothe itchy, inflamed skin and can be applied to burns, wounds, or ulcers.
- Relieves hay fever, asthma, and eye strain.
Now, learn about its magical power! ✨
Chamomile isn’t just for healing the body; it has also been used in magical practices for centuries. Its energy is gentle yet powerful, offering protection, luck, and even love.
Whether used in incenses, rituals, or around the home, chamomile’s magical properties are as versatile as its medicinal ones.
German Chamomile
- Often used in sleep incenses and calming brews.
- Believed to attract money and good fortune.
- Used in rituals to combat curses and ward off spells.
Roman Chamomile
- Used to attract love and prosperity.
- Common in meditation and sleep incenses.
- Added to bathwater for love spells and personal purification.
- Sprinkled around a property, it’s said to remove curses and offer protection.
When to Use Chamomile Essential Oil vs. Dried Flowers 🌿
Chamomile comes in different forms, and knowing which one to use can enhance its effectiveness. Here’s a guide to help you decide when to use chamomile essential oil and when to use dried chamomile flowers.
When to Use Chamomile Essential Oil
Chamomile essential oil is a concentrated form of the plant, packed with its powerful properties. It’s ideal for situations where you need a stronger, fast-acting effect, especially when you’re applying it externally.
- For skincare: Chamomile essential oil is perfect for treating skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, acne, and general irritation. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it great for soothing redness and promoting healing.
- For emotional support: Use the essential oil when you need immediate relief from stress, anxiety, or insomnia. Adding it to a diffuser or bath helps promote relaxation and emotional balance.
- For muscle pain: When you need to relieve muscle tension, cramps, or soreness, chamomile essential oil can penetrate deeper into the skin when applied with a carrier oil.
- For headaches: Apply a diluted form of the essential oil to your temples for headache relief, especially when you need fast action.
- For aromatherapy: Chamomile essential oil is your go-to for diffusers, aromatherapy blends, or massage oils, especially when you’re looking to relax or calm the mind.
When to Use the Dried Chamomile Flowers
Dried chamomile flowers are best for slower, more gradual effects and for internal use. They’re ideal for making infusions, teas, and topical treatments that work gently over time.
- For digestion: Use dried chamomile flowers to brew a calming chamomile tea that soothes indigestion, bloating, nausea, and supports healthy digestion. It’s gentle and safe for regular use.
- For sleep: Drinking a cup of tea made from dried chamomile flowers before bed helps you unwind and promotes sleep in a gentle, sustained way.
- For stress relief: Dried flowers can be used in teas or bath infusions to calm your body and mind. The process of drinking tea itself is often part of the relaxation ritual.
- For skin: Make a chamomile infusion (strong tea) from the dried flowers to apply as a natural toner or use in a compress for irritated or inflamed skin. It’s great for conditions like eczema or sunburn.
- For eye health: Use an infusion made from dried chamomile flowers as a natural remedy for eye strain, puffy eyes, or mild conjunctivitis by soaking a cotton pad and placing it over closed eyes.
Now, how to use the essential oil 🌿
Chamomile essential oil can be used in many ways depending on your needs. Both Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) and German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) offer great benefits, but each has its specialties. Roman Chamomile is often used for relaxation and emotional balance, while German Chamomile is well-known for its stronger anti-inflammatory properties.
1 For Relaxation and Stress Relief 🧘
- Roman Chamomile: Add 2-3 drops to a diffuser to promote calmness and reduce stress at home or work.
- Roman Chamomile: Mix 2 drops with a teaspoon of almond oil and massage into your temples and the back of your neck for an instant calming effect.
- Roman Chamomile: Create a relaxing room spray by mixing 10 drops with 100ml of water and a tablespoon of witch hazel in a spray bottle. Mist your bedroom before sleep for a peaceful environment.
2 For Skin Irritations 🌼
- German Chamomile: Dilute 1-2 drops with a tablespoon of carrier oil (like coconut, jojoba, or rosehip oil) and apply directly to irritated skin or acne-prone areas to soothe inflammation and redness.
- German Chamomile: Add 5 drops to a 50ml jar of unscented lotion and apply to eczema, psoriasis, or sunburn for calming relief.
- German Chamomile: Make a cold compress by adding 3 drops to a bowl of cool water. Soak a cloth in the water, wring it out, and place it on the affected skin area for 10-15 minutes.
3 For Sleep and Insomnia 😴
- Roman Chamomile: Add 3-4 drops to a warm bath before bed to help relax your muscles and calm your mind, preparing you for restful sleep.
- Roman Chamomile: Mix 2 drops with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and gently rub into the soles of your feet before bed to promote deeper, more restful sleep.
- Roman Chamomile: Apply 1-2 drops to a cotton ball and tuck it into your pillowcase or rub it directly onto your pillow to ease insomnia and promote better sleep.
4 For Muscle Aches and Cramps 💪
- German Chamomile: Combine 5 drops with 2 tablespoons of carrier oil and massage into sore muscles or joints to relieve tension and reduce inflammation.
- German Chamomile: Add 8-10 drops to a warm compress and apply to your lower abdomen for 10 minutes to help ease menstrual cramps or abdominal discomfort.
- German Chamomile: Blend 3 drops with 1 tablespoon of arnica oil and rub into tired muscles after a workout to help with muscle recovery.
5 For Digestion 🍵
- Roman Chamomile: Dilute 2 drops in 1 tablespoon of sweet almond oil and massage into your abdomen in a circular motion to help ease bloating and digestive discomfort.
- Roman Chamomile: Add 1 drop to a warm compress and place it over your stomach for 10-15 minutes to relieve indigestion or nausea.
- Roman Chamomile: Create a calming tea by adding a few drops of Roman Chamomile essential oil to a pot of freshly brewed chamomile tea to support digestion.
6 For Headaches and Migraines 🧠
- Roman Chamomile: Combine 2 drops of Roman Chamomile with 2 drops of lavender oil and a tablespoon of coconut oil. Massage into your temples and the back of your neck to relieve tension headaches.
- German Chamomile: Apply 1 drop diluted in a carrier oil to your temples and forehead to soothe migraines and reduce discomfort.
7 For Emotional Balance 🌸
- Roman Chamomile: Roman Chamomile is known for its ability to ease emotions. Add 3 drops to a bath or use in a diffuser to help restore emotional balance and calm racing thoughts.
- Roman Chamomile: Apply a diluted drop behind your ears or on your pulse points during stressful situations to remain calm and centred.
How to use the dried flowers
1 Chamomile for Stress & Anxiety 🌿
Whether you’re feeling stressed or anxious, a cup of chamomile tea can soothe your nerves and help you unwind. 🫖
- How to use: Brew 1-2 teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers in hot water for 5 minutes. Sip before bed to improve sleep or throughout the day to ease tension.
2 Chamomile for Digestion 🍵
Chamomile helps soothe the digestive system and can relieve symptoms like bloating, indigestion, and nausea.
- How to use: Drink chamomile tea after meals to help regulate digestion and reduce bloating.
3 Chamomile for Skin ✨
Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties that make it excellent for treating skin irritations, burns, and eczema.
- How to use: Make a chamomile infusion, let it cool, and apply it to the skin with a clean cloth. For acne, eczema, or sunburn relief, try chamomile compresses.
Safety ⚠️
While chamomile is generally safe, it’s important to be mindful of potential allergic reactions and sensitivities. Here are some key safety tips:
- Allergies: Avoid chamomile if you’re allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family (such as daisies or ragweed).
- Patch test: Before using chamomile oil or extracts on the skin, always perform a patch test to check for sensitivities, especially if you have sensitive skin.
- Pregnancy: While chamomile is considered safe for most, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare provider if you’re pregnant, particularly when using essential oils.
Chamomile is POWER
You got here!
Well done – that was a lot of information to take in.
well worth it. Chamomile is one of those herbs you need to include in your herbal kit at home. It is so gentle and wonderful, I have loved it since I was a little girl.
As you can see, it has countless benefits for both the body and mind. I believe that all flowers are powerful and connected with us, the pinnacle of spiritual evolution is in our bodies as “flowers”. I hope this connects with you at a deeper level.
Either way, whether you’re sipping it as a tea to ease digestion, using the essential oil to soothe your skin, or turning to its magical uses for protection and calm, chamomile has something for absolutely everyone.
Why not start incorporating chamomile into your daily routine? Whether you choose the dried flowers for tea or the essential oil for more concentrated remedies, you’ll be tapping into the ancient wisdom of this beloved herb.
