German Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita)
Photo: JackyM59 · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Digestive
- 1 condition
- Licensed photo
Overview
German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is a sweetly aromatic annual, growing to about 2 ft (60 cm), featuring finely cut leaves and small, daisy-like flower heads with white petals and a yellow center. It has a slightly bitter, apple-like taste. Revered for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties, German chamomile is especially helpful for digestive complaints, nervous tension, and skin irritations.
Traditional uses & properties
Anti-Inflammatory & Antiallergenic: Chamomile reduces inflammation both internally (e.g., gastritis, colitis) and externally (e.g., sore nipples, eczema). Antispasmodic & Relaxant: Eases indigestion, acidity, colic, and menstrual cramps; helps relieve muscle tension and irritability. Carminative & Digestive Tonic: Useful for gas, bloating, ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome; safe for children’s colic, teething, and fevers. Nervine: Calms nervous irritability, helps promote restful sleep, especially in children. Cooling & Relaxing: Relieves mild fevers in children when combined with other herbs like elderflower, peppermint, and yarrow.
Traditional preparations
Traditional texts describe the preparations below, and where those texts give specific amounts, the amounts are quoted here as part of that record. This is a record of historical practice, not a dosage recommendation - the figures are what the sources say, not what HerbMate tells you to take. Amounts, potency, and safe use vary enormously by preparation, plant part, and person.
Make a tincture and take 1 tsp diluted with 1/2 cup (100ml) of water 3 times per day.
Safety & precautions
Allergies: Some individuals may experience allergic reactions (e.g., dermatitis) more often than with many other herbs. Essential Oil: Avoid internal use unless professionally supervised; do not use topically during pregnancy. Blood-Thinning Medications: Seek professional guidance if also taking anticoagulants.
Drug & food interactions
An isolated case of bleeding in a patient taking warfarin and using chamomile products has been reported. No other relevant drug interactions have been found for German chamomile.
- Food
- No interactions found.
- Warfarin
- A single case report describes a woman stabilised on warfarin who developed a marked increase in her INR with bleeding complications 5 days after she started using two chamomile products. A 70-year-old woman stabilised on warfarin with an INR of 3.6 started drinking 4 to 5 cups of chamomile tea (an infusion of Matricaria chamomilla) daily for chest congestion, and using a chamomile-based skin lotion 4 to 5 times daily for foot oedema. About 5 days later she developed ecchymoses and was found to have an INR of 7.9, a retroperitoneal haematoma and other internal haemorrhages.
- Iron compounds
- Chamomile tea (an infusion of Matricaria chamomilla) does not appear to affect iron absorption.
- Herbal medicines
- No interactions found.
These entries keep the wording of the reference they come from, and three phrases mean three different things. "No interactions found" means the source looked for reports of that pairing and found none. "No data found" means nothing has been published either way. "Based on experimental evidence only" means the effect has been seen in a laboratory or animal study but not in people - a reason for caution, not a report of harm.
Habitat
Found throughout much of Europe and other temperate areas, German chamomile seeds are sown in spring or autumn. The flower heads, which contain the highest concentration of active constituents, are harvested in summer at full bloom.
Traditionally used for
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Frequently asked questions
What is German Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) traditionally used for?
Traditional sources describe German Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) as follows: Anti-Inflammatory & Antiallergenic: Chamomile reduces inflammation both internally (e.g., gastritis, colitis) and externally (e.g., sore nipples, eczema). Antispasmodic & Relaxant: Eases indigestion, acidity, colic, and menstrual cramps; helps relieve muscle tension and irritability. Carminative & Digestive Tonic: Useful for gas, bloating, ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome; safe for children’s colic, teething, and fevers. Nervine: Calms nervous irritability, helps promote restful sleep, especially in children. Cooling & Relaxing: Relieves mild fevers in children when combined with other herbs like elderflower, peppermint, and yarrow.
How is German Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) prepared?
Traditional texts describe the preparations below, and where those texts give specific amounts, the amounts are quoted here as part of that record. This is a record of historical practice, not a dosage recommendation - the figures are what the sources say, not what HerbMate tells you to take. Amounts, potency, and safe use vary enormously by preparation, plant part, and person. Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Make a tincture and take 1 tsp diluted with 1/2 cup (100ml) of water 3 times per day.
What safety cautions apply to German Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita)?
Allergies: Some individuals may experience allergic reactions (e.g., dermatitis) more often than with many other herbs. Essential Oil: Avoid internal use unless professionally supervised; do not use topically during pregnancy. Blood-Thinning Medications: Seek professional guidance if also taking anticoagulants.
Related herbs
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