Chamomile (Matricaria Recutita): Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & More!

Introduction

Chamomile is a plant that has been in use for long for its health benefits. Mankind has known this plant, studied it, and utilized it since the medieval ages¹. The chamomile plant belongs to the Asteraceae or  Compositae family which is also known as the Daisy family. The generic name chamomile which is the name popularly used comes from the words ”Khamai”, which means on the ground, and ”melon” which means an apple in Greek. Chamomile term is used collectively to refer to many plants that belong to the family Asteraceae which includes the

• German or Hungarian chamomile (Matricaria recutita, or Chamomilla recutita)
• English or Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
• Moroccan chamomile, Moroccan blue chamomile, corn chamomile, dyer’s chamomile, rayless chamomile, and scentless chamomile^2,3,4. 

The German and Roman chamomile are known as the true chamomile due to their beneficial properties. They are very similar in appearance but differ slightly in the chemical content of the oils obtained from them^2,3,4. The German chamomile is the more commonly used of the two⁵.  

Where is Chamomile Found?

Chamomile is authentic to the Southern and Eastern parts of Europe. It is grown in:

• Germany
• Hungary
• Russia
• Brazil
• France
• Yugoslavia
• North Africa
• Australia, and
• New Zealand.

It found its way to India during the rule of the Mughal emperors and is currently grown in the Northern parts of the country. The most prominent producer of this plant is Hungary¹.

The flowers and leaves of the plant are usually used, the flowers being the part that is most used. The flowers can be used fresh or dried. The plant is harvested during the flowering phase on a sunny day during the morning time. The flower of this plant has a characteristic fruity fragrance and is daisy-like in appearance. It has a yellow center that is around 1- 1.5 cm wide and white petals^5,6. 

Nutritional Value of Chamomile

Macronutrients Per 1 Cup (8 fl oz) of Chamomile Tea Brewed:

• Energy: 2.37 kcal
• Total fat: 0
• Cholesterol: 0
• Total Carbohydrate: 0.47 g
• Protein: 0
• Polyunsaturated fatty acid: 0.01 g

Micronutrients Per 1 Cup (8 fl oz) of Chamomile Tea Brewed:

• Vitamin A: 47.40 IU
• Vitamin B:
  • Thiamine: 0.02 mg
  • Riboflavin: 0.01 mg
  • Pantothenic Acid: 0.03 mg
  • Folate: 2.37 mg
• Potassium: 21.33 mg
• Magnesium: 2.370 mg
• Manganese: 0.100 mg
• Calcium: 4.74 mg
• Iron: 0.19 mg
• Copper: 0.04 mg
• Zinc: 0.09 mg

Potential Uses of Chamomile

This ayurvedic herb has diverse beneficial properties that help with its potential uses which are discussed as follows:

1. Potential Uses of Chamomile for the Brain

• Potential Uses of Chamomile for Sleep Disorders: Chamomile tea is usually may be taken in cases of insomnia a sleep disorder marked by lack of sleep. The flavonoids and apigenin present in the herb might bind to a receptor in the brain (benzodiazepine receptor) which may causes slowing down of brain activity and induce sleep.  It might be used in children who are unable to fall asleep due to severe pain and in cases of difficulty falling asleep due to nervousness or anxiety^2,3.
• Potential Uses of Chamomile for Anxiety: Usually, the oil extracted from the flowers is inhaled as vapours and it might produce a calming effect and reduces pain as well. Thus, it may show beneficial effects in mild to moderate anxiety disorder^2,3.
• Potential Uses of Chamomile for Epilepsy: Animal studies have shown that chamomile delays the start of a seizure episode². Human trials are required to establish this effect of chamomile on humans.
• Potential Uses of Chamomile in Headache: The inhaled vapours produce calmness and reduce pain and can be used in headaches that appear before seizures, during nervousness, and during episodes of hysteria³.
• Potential Uses of Chamomile in Anorexia Nervosa: Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder where a person experiences lack of appetite. Chamomile oil vapors may elevate mood, reduce nervousness, and stimulate the appetite and might thus be used in persons with anorexia nervosa³. 

However, since insufficient studies are available, for conditions for brain it is important to consult your medical practitioner for advice as the herb may have different effects on individuals.

2. Potential Uses of Chamomile in Common Cold

Chamomile tea can be taken to relieve the symptoms of a common cold. Another way in which the plant can be used for this purpose is by boiling the flowers in water and inhaling the steam so produced⁸.  You must consult a doctor for a cold.

3. Potential Uses of Chamomile for the Heart

It is said that persons who consume more flavonoids might have a lesser risk of death due to coronary heart disease. Chamomile has a good amount of flavonoids, but more studies must be done to validate how useful it is in preventing coronary heart disease².

4. Potential Uses of Chamomile for Diabetes

In studies, chamomile has been found to help reduce blood sugar levels and diabetic complications by lowering blood sugar levels and increasing the storage of liver glycogen. Studies have also found it to be protective of the pancreas. However, more studies need to be done to determine its usefulness in the treatment of diabetes².

5. Potential Uses of Chamomile for the Gut

Consumption of chamomile tea between meals might help to relieve heartburn, gastritis, gastric spasms (excessive gut muscle contraction), and flatulence^3,9.

I strongly recommend the use of chamomile to relieve diarrhoea and, on the contrary, constipation too. Chamomile has the potential to assist with these problems by soothing the irritated or inflamed inner lining of your digestive tract²¹.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

6. Potential Uses of Chamomile for the Bones

In osteoporosis, where the bone mass reduces, chamomile extract stimulates the bone-forming cells by interacting with the estrogen receptors (anti-estrogen effect)  and may help improve the condition². It is always better to consult a doctor before you use chamomile for your bone problems there may be several underlying causes that may need to to analyzed before prescribing chamomile for its benefits.

7. Potential Uses of Chamomile for the Skin

In eczema, where there are patches of irritated, inflamed, and cracked skin, external application of chamomile has been found to be useful in studies. Chamomile might be useful in case of bacterial infections, wounds, sunburns, corns, patchy areas on the scalp due to cradle caps used in infants, and skin irritation post-radiation therapy. Chamomile oil extract can be massaged, or a cloth can be soaked in chamomile tea and applied to the affected area. It might also be used as a cosmetic due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties^2,3.

8. Potential Uses of Chamomile for Wound Healing

Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial actions are proven to help in wound healing^2,10. However these benefits need further studies to establish this fact.

9. Potential Uses of Chamomile for Inflammatory Conditions

Chamomile might be useful in reducing inflammatory pains like sciatica and neuralgias, any types of swellings like abscesses, and inflammation of the vaginal lining (vaginitis), and lining of the mouth. For relief in vaginitis, a chamomile douche may be used². It is, however, essential to consult your doctor before taking chamomile for such conditions.

10. Potential Uses of Chamomile as an Antimicrobial

Chamomile may have an antibacterial effect and is therefore useful for improving the health of the oral cavity². A professional dentist might be the best person to advise.

11. Potential Uses of Chamomile in Cancer

Many animal studies have shown that chamomile aids in the reduction of cancer growth. This may be due to the apigenin chemical which is present in chamomile. Currently, human studies are being conducted on cancer with chamomile extracts⁹. Moreover, for cancer conditions you must be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.

I strongly recommend the use of chamomile mouthwash. Mouth sores brought on by cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapies may be relieved by using chamomile mouthwash. Your mouth’s lining is calmed by the calming effects of chamomile. Both gingivitis (gum disease) and sores may be effectively managed with mouthwashes containing chamomile tincture as well as caraway, clove oil, Echinacea, menthol, molmol, peppermint and sage²¹.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

12. Potential Uses of Chamomile for the Kidneys

Chamomile may be used for kidney stones and bladder stones alone or in combination with other herbs in the  Unani system of medicine in India⁴. Animal studies have demonstrated a mild increase in urine formation as the flowers of Roman chamomile show urine-stimulating properties^4,11. However, we need more studies to provide scientific evidence for these benefits of chamomile.

13. Potential Uses of Chamomile as a Mosquito Repellent

Studies have shown that the oil extract of chamomile has very good mosquito-repellent activity. Out of all the chamomile flower variants, the German chamomile has the maximum mosquito-repellent property¹².  

Although studies show the benefits of chamomile in different health conditions, this information is insufficient. Hence, there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of chamomile on human health. Furthermore, every person may respond differently to these herbs. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor before using chamomile for any medical condition.

How to Use Chamomile?

• Most commonly chamomile is consumed as tea few flowers are added to boiling water for 5-10 min and strained. The clear liquid obtained is chamomile tea³.
• Essential oils obtained from flowers can be used via inhalation or as massage oils.  
• A chamomile tincture is made by mixing flowers at room temperature in ethanol-water and then evaporated. Few drops of this are added to water and can be used for gargling³.
• Chamomile extract is prepared by a method just like the tincture with the only difference being the ratio of ethanol to water³.
• Viscous chamomile extracts are added to make gels, ointments, and creams³.
• Dry chamomile extracts are used to make pills, capsules, and tablets³.

You must consult a qualified doctor before taking any herbal supplements. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing treatment of modern medicine with an ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor. 

Side Effects of Chamomile

US-FDA includes chamomile in its GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) list, but the safety in young children, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, in disease of the liver and kidney has yet to be established by conducting studies. Some of the know side effects are as follows:

• Contact dermatitis is a condition where a person develops itching, redness, and swelling on skin when they come in contact with something that their allergic to. This is seen as a side effect to many plants of the Compositae or Asteraceae family including chamomile. If a person is allergic to some plants of the same family like ragweed, chrysanthemums, etc., then the chances of contact dermatitis with chamomile are higher too².
• Persons with a history of allergies like seasonal allergic rhinitis (stuffy nose due to allergies) or asthma, may develop conjunctivitis and swelling of the eyes on using chamomile applications around the eye or on consuming chamomile tea^2,13. 
• Consuming very concentrated tea can induce vomiting².
• It can cause thinning of the blood leading to spontaneous bleeds in the body¹⁴.   
• It is known to have a sedative effect; therefore, consumption in the morning, should be avoided if the person is expected to be carrying out activities like driving, using machinery, etc¹⁵. 

Precautions to Take with Chamomile

• Pregnancy: Chamomile is contraindicated in pregnancy as it may cause the uterus to contract and can induce an abortion or pre-term labour¹⁶.
• Breastfeeding Women: Safety during breastfeeding is not yet fully established therefore, it shouldn’t be self-medicated. Consult a gynaecologist before taking any chamomile formulation².
• Children/Infants: Traditionally, chamomile has been used in infants and young children for various conditions, but safety data is not yet fully established. Therefore, one must avoid usage in this age group².

Interactions of Chamomile with Other Drugs

• Anti-coagulant Drugs: Chamomile is a blood thinner and can lead to bleeds if given with anticoagulants e.g., warfarin¹⁴.
• Anti-platelet Drugs: As chamomile is a blood thinner, it is best avoided when the person is taking anti-platelet drugs e.g., aspirin, clopidogrel, etc¹⁴.
• Sedative Drugs: Chamomile is well known for reducing pain as it brings about calmness, and induces sleep; therefore, monitoring is needed if the person is already on drugs that slow down the brain e.g., sedatives or tranquilizers¹⁵.
• Drugs Metabolized by the Enzyme CYP-450: CYP-450 is an enzyme in the liver that metabolizes many drugs in the body like diazepam, amiodarone, etc. Thus, taking chamomile might increase the levels of these drugs in the body leading to toxicity. Therefore, caution is to be taken¹⁵.

Also Read: Nagarmotha (Cyperus rotundus): Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & More!

Conclusion

Chamomile is a time-tested herb with a broad range of potential benefits, from promoting sleep and reducing anxiety to supporting gut health, wound healing, and skin conditions. Its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties make it a valuable natural remedy across multiple systems of the body. However, most evidence remains preliminary, with many findings limited to animal studies. While generally safe for adults, caution is advised during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and in children, and it may interact with blood thinners and sedatives. Consulting a healthcare professional before use remains essential.

Also Read: Psyllium Husk (Isabgol): Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

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