German chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla, also called German chamomile.
Matricaria chamomilla, also called German chamomile, is one of the most-used calming herbs in European tradition. The flower heads are dried whole, infused with hot water, and traditionally taken in the evening or after a heavy meal.
Modern research focuses on apigenin and chamazulene. The phytochemistry of the genus is well documented. Several small clinical trials suggest chamomile may support sleep onset and mild anxiety; the picture is promising but not definitive. Most honestly described, chamomile is a gentle, well-tolerated traditional remedy rather than a clinical treatment.[13]
Two thousand years, from Hippocrates to Commission E.
Chamomile has been used as a calming herb for over two thousand years, named in Egyptian, Greek and Roman sources, and now carried by the EMA HMPCEuropean Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) and German Commission E monographs for mild nervous tension and minor digestive complaints.[13]
In Austria and across the German-speaking world, chamomile holds a settled place in the household remedy cupboard. A cup in the evening, an infusion after a meal, a steam inhalation at the start of a cold: small everyday gestures passed down across generations.
Apigenin, chamazulene, and the GABA system.
Two compounds carry the attention. Apigenin, a flavone from the flower heads, shows binding affinity at GABA-A benzodiazepine receptors in laboratory work. Chamazulene, formed when matricin in the flower is heated in water, shapes the warm, slightly sweet aroma.
Worth knowing: the apigenin in a single cup of tea is small compared with standardised extract studies. The immediate effect of one cup has as much to do with ritual, warmth, and slowing down as it does with chemistry.
What modern research has added
A small randomised trial by Amsterdam and colleagues (2009) tested standardised chamomile extract on mild anxiety and found moderately positive effects with good tolerability. The Chang & Chen (2016) meta-analysis points to moderate improvement in sleep quality, in small and short studies. The picture is promising rather than proven.[1][2]
An important distinction: the active dose in these trials was concentrated extract, around 1100 mg per day in divided doses for Amsterdam et al., not the tea. A research dose does not translate one-to-one onto an evening cup.[1]
What the studies show, and where they stop.
| Outcome | Class | Grade | Effect | Studies | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sleep quality, mild insomniaStandardised extract showed moderate effects in small trials; evidence on tea is thinner.Adults | EmergingEmerging research. Early small trials suggest an effect but await replication. | CEvidence quality grade C. Mixed or limited evidence. Small trials, signals, or traditional use under an EMA HMPC traditional-use monograph. This is an evidence rating, not a product endorsement. | Moderate improvement | [2][3] | |
| Mild anxiety symptomsAmsterdam 2009 used 1100 mg per day; follow-up extract studies cautiously support the signal.Adults | EmergingEmerging research. Early small trials suggest an effect but await replication. | CEvidence quality grade C. Mixed or limited evidence. Small trials, signals, or traditional use under an EMA HMPC traditional-use monograph. This is an evidence rating, not a product endorsement. | Moderate improvement | [1][4] | |
| Functional dyspepsiaEffect demonstrated in multi-herb preparations (STW-5); chamomile as a single herb less studied.Adults | TraditionalTraditional use. Long-standing folk practice or EMA HMPC traditional-use monograph. | CEvidence quality grade C. Mixed or limited evidence. Small trials, signals, or traditional use under an EMA HMPC traditional-use monograph. This is an evidence rating, not a product endorsement. | Small improvement | [6][7] | |
| Infantile colicMulti-herb studies (chamomile, fennel, lemon balm); use only after clinical consultation.Infants two to eight weeks | EmergingEmerging research. Early small trials suggest an effect but await replication. | CEvidence quality grade C. Mixed or limited evidence. Small trials, signals, or traditional use under an EMA HMPC traditional-use monograph. This is an evidence rating, not a product endorsement. | Small improvement | [8][9] | |
| Oral mucositisChamomile mouthwash in a pilot trial in chemotherapy patients.Adults | EmergingEmerging research. Early small trials suggest an effect but await replication. | CEvidence quality grade C. Mixed or limited evidence. Small trials, signals, or traditional use under an EMA HMPC traditional-use monograph. This is an evidence rating, not a product endorsement. | Small improvement | [10] | |
| Skin irritation (topical)Bisabolol-containing preparations have been used for generations; modern studies are largely absent.Adults | TraditionalTraditional use. Long-standing folk practice or EMA HMPC traditional-use monograph. | DEvidence quality grade D. Preliminary signal. A single small trial, pilot result, or laboratory or animal model. Clinical relevance unclear. This is an evidence rating, not a product endorsement. | Traditional use | [12] |
How much, in what form, for how long.
Forms and preparation
Take one to two teaspoons, roughly one to two grams, of dried flower heads. Put them into a cup or infuser, cover with freshly boiled water, and put the lid on. Steep for five to ten minutes, then strain. Covering during the steep keeps the essential oils in the infusion. Optional, a slice of lemon or a teaspoon of honey. Whole or coarsely broken flower heads give a fuller aroma than pre-ground tea bags; both work.
Dosage by outcome
| Outcome | Dose | Form | Duration | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sleep quality (evening tea) | 1 to 3 cups per day, traditional | Tea, 1 to 2 g flowers / 200 ml | as an evening ritual | Adults |
| Mild anxiety (extract) | 220 to 1100 mg standardised extract, divided | Capsule or tincture | 8 weeks (Amsterdam 2009) | Adults |
| After a heavy meal | 1 cup, 1 to 2 g flowers / 200 ml | Tea | as needed | Adults and children from age 4 |
| Mouth rinse | 1 tbsp flowers / 250 ml, allow to cool | Infusion | 5 to 10 days | Adults |
Special populations
Start slowly. One cup in the evening for a week, then adjust. One to three cups per day is the traditional range. In pregnancy, one to two cups per day are considered fine; concentrated extracts and undiluted essential oil should be discussed with a clinician in this phase. Older children may have a mild, often diluted infusion after meals or in the evening; for infants and small children, discuss with a paediatrician first.
Few, but important, caveats.
Interactions
| Substance | Severity | Mechanism | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compositae allergy | High | Cross-reactivity with ragweed, chrysanthemums, daisies. | With known allergy, introduce cautiously or avoid entirely. |
| Anticoagulant medication | Medium | Coumarins in chamomile may theoretically influence clotting. | Discuss concentrated use with a clinician before starting. |
| Sedative medication | Medium | GABAergic effects of apigenin may theoretically add. | Combine cautiously; concentrated use should be cleared with a clinician. |
Contraindications
If you take anticoagulant or sedative medication, or if you are pregnant, discuss concentrated use with a clinician first. Tea in moderate amounts has a long history; clinical evidence on specific interactions is thin, but caution with concentrated preparations is the right line. Very rarely, anaphylactic reactions have been observed after highly concentrated infusions.[12]
Three species at the wayside.
When you forage in early summer, you will often meet three very similar species in the same meadow. Only one is true chamomile. The most reliable feature is the dome-shaped, hollow flower receptacle with that warm, sweet, apple-like scent.
Stinking chamomile
Pungent, almost unpleasant scent. Receptacle flat and solid, not hollow. Can cause skin irritation.
Scentless mayweed
Almost no scent, similar flowers, harmless but inactive. A common confusion.
Oxeye daisy
Clearly larger flower heads, toothed leaves, no apple scent.
What readers ask us.
What is the difference between German chamomile and Roman chamomile?
German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) belong to the same family but are different species with their own traditions. German chamomile is the tea chamomile common in central Europe. Roman chamomile is used more in Britain and France and tastes slightly more bitter. They are not directly interchangeable.
When in the day is chamomile best drunk?
Traditionally in the evening, about an hour before sleep, or after a heavy meal. There is no fixed rule. Warmth and ritual fit an evening wind-down better than a midday break.
Can children have chamomile tea?
Older children, in many households, drink a mild and often diluted chamomile after meals or in the evening. For infants and small children, talk with a paediatrician first. Anyone with a known compositae allergy should proceed carefully.
Does chamomile help me sleep?
Evidence is mixed. The Chang & Chen 2016 meta-analysis sees moderate signals in some trials, while others find little. Warmth, slowing down, and ritual probably contribute as much as the pharmacological component. Treat the tea as part of a wind-down practice, not as a sleep aid.
Can I forage chamomile fresh instead of buying it?
In spring and early summer, you can forage clean chamomile flowers and brew them fresh. Fresh tastes brighter and more floral; dried tastes stronger. Check the plant for the hollow receptacle and the apple scent, and avoid picking on dog paths, near heavily sprayed fields, or by busy roads.
13 sources.
- Amsterdam JD, et al.. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. J Clin Psychopharmacol, 2009. doi:10.1097/JCP.0b013e3181ac935c
- Chang SM, Chen CH. Effects of an intervention with drinking chamomile tea on sleep quality and depression in sleep disturbed postnatal women: a randomized controlled trial. J Adv Nurs, 2016. doi:10.1111/jan.12836
- Adib-Hajbaghery M, Mousavi SN. The effects of chamomile extract on sleep quality among elderly people: a clinical trial. Complement Ther Med, 2017. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2017.09.010
- Mao JJ, et al.. Long-term chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: a randomized clinical trial. Phytomedicine, 2016. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2016.10.012
- Keefe JR, et al.. Short-term open-label chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) therapy of moderate to severe generalized anxiety disorder. Phytomedicine, 2016. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2016.10.013
- Madisch A, et al.. Treatment of functional dyspepsia with a herbal preparation: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. Digestion, 2004. doi:10.1159/000076546
- Holtmann G, et al.. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial on the effects of an herbal preparation in patients with functional dyspepsia (STW-5). Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 2003. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2036.2003.01761.x
- Weizman Z, et al.. Efficacy of herbal tea preparation in infantile colic. J Pediatr, 1993. doi:10.1016/S0022-3476(05)83417-X
- Savino F, et al.. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of a standardized extract of Matricariae recutita, Foeniculum vulgare and Melissa officinalis in the treatment of breastfed colicky infants. Phytother Res, 2005. doi:10.1002/ptr.1786
- dos Reis PED, et al.. Chamomile infusion cryotherapy to prevent oral mucositis induced by chemotherapy: a pilot study. Support Care Cancer, 2016. doi:10.1007/s00520-016-3251-x
- Jenabi E, Fereidooni B. The effect of chamomile on primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res, 2015. PMID:26120332
- Subiza J, et al.. Anaphylactic reaction after the ingestion of chamomile tea: a study of cross-reactivity with other composite pollens. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1989. doi:10.1016/0091-6749(89)90020-7
- European Medicines Agency, HMPC. Community herbal monograph on Matricaria recutita L., flos. EMA/HMPC/55837/2011, 2015.
Legal notice: The depiction of historical significance and traditional use is context within our encyclopedia and not a health claim for any product, not a treatment promise, and not a substitute for medical advice. What may be stated on product labels, product pages, or in advertising is governed by the applicable legal requirements.