Chamomile, Roman Vs German Monograph: The "Plant's Physician"

Chamomile (German and Roman)

Chamomila Recituta, Matricaria

Ground Apple

Chamomile is a beautiful perennial plant that highly prized for its delicious taste, sweet smell and medicinal virtues. It has a rounded flower head and white petals, with feathery green leaves.

The Latin Root Matricaria translates to "mother", "womb" or "matrix", chamomile means "ground apple", a term coined from its sweet apple like scent.

Chamomile is a valuable garden ally. It can enhance the flavor of nearby herbs, and it may help to strengthen sickly plants. Besides this, chamomile is beloved by people for its beauty and by bees for its pollen. Chamomile is in the Daisy (Aster) family so those who have an allergy to ragweed or other plants of this family should use with caution as skin irritation may develop.

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Energetics & Actions:

Chamomile acts a a protector of smaller, weaker plants; It helps to nurture them back to health. Chamomile is also a nurturer of babies as well. It is a common remedy for colic and teething in infants. For adults its carminative action is beneficial for bloating, cramping, PMS.

Those pretty yellow flowers contain a blue chemical, azulene which is used in cosmetics for its anti-inflammatory action on the skin. Chamomile can help calm and heal skin rashes, and eczema. Try adding chamomile flowers to your baby’s bath. Chamomile can be used in mouthwashes as well, to soothe the gums, prevent infection and freshen the breath.

Chamomile has a delicious, sweet taste but when steeped longer, it can provide a stronger bitter action which is beneficial for the liver. It can help detoxify the body and stimulating increased urination and digestion. A few drops of chamomile tincture can be used before a meal for this purpose.

Chamomile is a gentle nervine with mild sedative properties. It is commonly used for nervousness, anxiety and trouble sleeping. It also can be used in instances of mild depression, nerve pain and fatigue. I like to pair chamomile with other bitter nervines like California poppy and skullcap.

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Neutral Temperature Nervine Astringent/Vulnerary

Diuretic Mild Sedative Aromatic

Bitter Tonic Carminative Sweet

Foraging Notes & Identification Tips

Chamomile is one of those plants people think they know until they actually go out to harvest it.

Both German and Roman chamomile have that classic daisy-like look, but you want to pay attention to the details. German chamomile has a hollow receptacle (the center of the flower), while Roman is more solid and tends to grow lower to the ground like a creeping plant.

If you’re unsure, cut the flower head open. That hollow center is a clear indicator you’re working with German chamomile.

The scent is another giveaway. When you crush the flowers, you should smell that soft, apple-like aroma. If there’s no scent, or it smells off, leave it.

Chamomile grows well in gardens but can also be found in disturbed soils, edges of fields, and along pathways. Like with any herb, you don’t want to harvest from areas that may have been sprayed or exposed to runoff.

When harvesting, focus on the flower heads. That’s where most of the activity is. You can pinch them off with your fingers or use shears. The more you harvest, the more the plant will continue to produce.

Fresh flowers are potent, but they dry quickly and store well. Just make sure they are fully dry before storing so you don’t introduce moisture into your jars.

Preparations:

There doesn't seem to be a preparation that doesn't suit chamomile. It can be used in an infusion, Infused honey, syrup, tincture. Topical uses include sleep satchets, baths, soaks, and essential oil applications.

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Organic Chamomile Flowers 1.5 oz

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FAQ: Foraging Chamomile

Where can I find chamomile?

Chamomile can be grown in the garden or found in fields, along pathways, and in disturbed soils. Many people choose to grow it so they can control the quality.

What’s the difference between German and Roman chamomile?

German chamomile has a hollow flower center and grows more upright, while Roman chamomile grows lower and has a more solid flower head. Both are used similarly, but German is more commonly used medicinally.

Which part of chamomile do I harvest?

The flower heads are the primary part used. That’s where the aromatic compounds and key actions are concentrated.

When is the best time to harvest chamomile?

Harvest when the flowers are fully open and vibrant. This is when they are at their peak. If you wait too long, they begin to lose potency.

Can I use chamomile fresh or should I dry it?

Both. Fresh chamomile is potent, but drying allows you to store it long term. Just make sure it is completely dry before storing.

How do I dry chamomile properly?

Lay the flowers out in a single layer or hang them in a well-ventilated space. They dry quickly, but you don’t want to rush the process with heat.

Are there any safety concerns?

Chamomile is generally gentle, but those with allergies to ragweed or other plants in the Asteraceae family should use caution, especially topically.

Can I harvest chamomile from anywhere?

No. Avoid areas that may be sprayed or contaminated. Even though chamomile is gentle, where it grows matters.

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