In brief: German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is listed in the EMA monograph with well-established use for digestive complaints and mild inflammation of the mouth and throat, and traditional use for mild stress. Use 1 teaspoon of dried flowers per 250 ml cup, steep for 10 minutes at 95 °C, 2 to 3 cups per day.
Like linden, verbena or orange blossom, chamomile herbal infusion, and Roman chamomile in particular, supports restful sleep. This organic herbal infusion blend helps ease digestive discomfort and mild pain. The infused flowers also offer support during the female cycle.
To enjoy these properties, all you need is a teapot, a little hot water and a teaspoon of dried flowers. Tea bags, available from herbalists, let you brew the plant directly in your cup.
Herbal infusions are widely used in phytotherapy. That said, honey and Roman chamomile essential oil also have their own interesting medicinal properties.
What are the health benefits of chamomile herbal infusion?
Chamomile belongs to the Asteraceae family. Phytotherapy draws mainly on the dried flowers to create herbal infusions with a surprising range of properties.
How is chamomile used in phytotherapy?
From a botanical standpoint, two varieties are recognised for their medicinal properties:
- Roman chamomile, also known as common chamomile,
- German chamomile, also known as matricaria chamomile.
Both varieties provide the ingredients for chamomile oil, essential oil and dried flower infusions. The leaves have no medicinal use, though they are sometimes used as a herb in cooking.
Bees are particularly drawn to these plants, producing a honey with gentle soothing properties. It can be applied to the skin or used as a hair mask to relieve a dry scalp.
What are the health benefits of these plants?
The benefits of chamomile for health are wide-ranging:
- supports restful sleep,
- helps relieve pain,
- eases migraine intensity,
- helps regulate the female cycle,
- offers a rejuvenating effect on the skin.
Organic Roman chamomile infusion is used to brighten blonde hair highlights. The infusion should be made strong to achieve a noticeable lightening effect. Combined with honey, the result is even more pronounced.
Gentler in nature, Roman chamomile also makes an excellent organic hydrosol for babies. Its main use is to ease the discomfort of teething and encourage more restful sleep.
German chamomile is often used in essential oil form to relieve migraines, particularly in women.
For your evenings: our organic loose-leaf Chamomile — whole organically grown flowers, gentle and caffeine-free.
How to make the most of chamomile infusion
A versatile plant for soothing all manner of complaints, the chamomile flower is one of phytotherapy's most beloved herbs. Here is how to brew a quality cup in just a few minutes.
How to brew your chamomile herbal infusion
An organic tea bag is the simplest way to enjoy a cup of chamomile. Add hot water, allow a few minutes to steep, and your drink is ready.
Those who prefer a more traditional approach steep whole flowers in a teapot. This takes a little longer but yields a more potent infusion for medicinal purposes.
Which plants pair well with chamomile?
For a good night's sleep, Roman chamomile infusion works in harmony with verbena, orange blossom or linden. Phytotherapists also recommend cutting back on coffee and spices during the second half of the day.
For cycle support, chamomile pairs beautifully with common verbena leaves and yarrow. Steep everything together in the teapot for greater synergy.
For gentler digestion, try adding a teaspoon of fennel seeds to your chamomile teapot. The infusion takes on a warm anise-like fragrance. Artichoke and oat make a wonderful complement to this pairing.
The active compounds in chamomile
Behind the gentle warmth of a chamomile infusion lies a remarkable concentration of active molecules. The dried flowers contain, in particular:
- Apigenin, a flavonoid that binds to GABA receptors in the nervous system and contributes to the relaxing effect felt after a cup.
- Bisabolol and chamazulene, two compounds derived from the essential oil, recognised for their soothing properties on the skin and mucous membranes.
- Other antioxidant flavonoids (luteolin, quercetin) that help neutralise free radicals.
- Sesquiterpenes and coumarins that round out the plant's therapeutic profile.
This biochemical signature explains why chamomile, whether matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile) or chamaemelum nobile (Roman chamomile), has been used in natural remedies since antiquity. The Asteraceae family, to which this herbaceous plant belongs, also includes several of the most celebrated medicinal herbs found in any kitchen garden.
Science-backed benefits of chamomile
A number of studies published in peer-reviewed journals have examined the benefits of chamomile. Here is an overview of the most well-documented effects, to be enjoyed as part of a regular routine.
Chamomile, insomnia and deep sleep
Chamomile is one of the most widely cited plants for supporting sleep. A study published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing found that daily consumption of chamomile infusion improved sleep quality in participants after just two weeks. Its gentle sedative effect, linked to apigenin, helps reduce the time it takes to fall asleep without causing dependence, unlike certain medications. A warm cup before bed, as part of a regular wind-down routine, supports both falling asleep and sleep depth. For those experiencing occasional insomnia, matricaria offers gentle, non-habit-forming support for a better night's rest.
Chamomile and anxiety
Chamomile also helps reduce everyday stress and tension. Several clinical trials point to a beneficial effect on symptoms of generalised anxiety, particularly when the plant is consumed as a concentrated infusion over an extended period. It encourages relaxation without causing excessive daytime drowsiness.
Chamomile and anti-inflammatory properties
The anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile have been observed both through topical application and oral consumption. Bisabolol and chamazulene help calm mild inflammation, whether in the skin, the digestive system or the respiratory mucous membranes.
Chamomile and the digestive system
Chamomile is a go-to plant for easing digestive discomfort. Rich in antispasmodic compounds, it acts gently throughout the entire digestive system, from the stomach to the intestines.
It is traditionally used to help relieve:
- bloating and digestive complaints after heavy meals,
- cramps, abdominal colic and stomach tension,
- mild nausea and occasional loose stools,
- discomfort associated with seasonal gastroenteritis,
- gastric ulcers as a complement to medical treatment,
- period pain, alongside good hydration.
Some research also looks at its potential role in supporting healthy cholesterol levels and the immune system, thanks to its antioxidant compounds.
For a digestive infusion, one teaspoon of dried flowers in 250 ml of boiling water, steeped for 10 minutes, is enough to release the key active compounds. Drinking it after a meal, without added sugar, enhances the effect.
Chamomile and skin: cosmetic uses
Chamomile does far more than soothe the nervous system. Used externally, it offers a wealth of cosmetic applications for the skin, hair and sensitive mucous membranes.
Chamomile hydrosol, obtained by distilling the flowers, is highly valued for calming skin irritations, redness and reactive skin. It can be used as a compress, a refreshing spray or a morning toner. For lighter hair, a strong infusion used as a final rinse brightens blonde highlights and soothes a sensitive scalp.
Perhaps less expected, a chamomile sitz bath is a traditional remedy for easing intimate discomfort, mild itching and supporting healing after childbirth. Cold compresses soaked in chamomile infusion also provide relief for tired eyes and puffy eyelids, for example during allergy season.
Roman chamomile, feverfew, wild chamomile: knowing your varieties
The word "chamomile" actually refers to several related plants, sometimes confused but with quite distinct uses.
- German chamomile (matricaria recutita or matricaria): the mildest variety, ideal for everyday drinking. This is the matricaria we offer loose-leaf.
- Roman chamomile or noble chamomile (chamaemelum nobile): more bitter, traditionally used in herbalism for its pronounced digestive properties.
- Feverfew (tanacetum parthenium), also called bachelor's buttons: primarily used in standardised extract form for recurring headaches.
- Wild chamomile: a hardy roadside variety occasionally used in local infusions.
For gentle, everyday use, matricaria chamomile infusion remains the benchmark. For a targeted digestive effect, noble chamomile is the one to reach for. Feverfew is better suited to supplement capsule form. And a word on chamomile extract: it appears in healing ointments and soothing preparations for minor burns or skin irritations.
Inhalation, colds and other everyday uses
Beyond the evening cup, matricaria fits naturally into several everyday wellness rituals. Used as an inhalation, it helps clear the airways during a cold or sore throat. A few dried flowers in a bowl of boiling water, a towel draped over the head, and you can breathe in the soothing steam for five to ten minutes.
Diluted in a carrier oil such as jojoba or sweet almond, Roman chamomile essential oil soothes skin irritations and supports healing. Mixed with a few drops of peppermint essential oil, it can be applied to the temples to relieve tension headaches linked to fatigue. A concentrated infusion, cooled and applied as a compress, can also bring relief to tired eyes at the end of the day. In short, this plant has far more to offer than a bedtime tea bag, and every method of use stays true to its naturally gentle character.
Precautions and contraindications
Although chamomile is a very well-tolerated plant, a few precautions are worth keeping in mind before making chamomile infusion a daily habit.
- Asteraceae allergies: people sensitive to ragweed, daisies or chrysanthemums may react to chamomile.
- Pregnancy: it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional before drinking it regularly, especially during the first trimester.
- Drug interactions: chamomile may enhance the effect of certain anticoagulants. If you are on medication, check with your doctor first.
- Young children: seek paediatric advice before giving chamomile infusion regularly to infants.
These precautions should not cause concern. For the vast majority of healthy adults, one to three cups of organic chamomile per day is a safe, soothing and wonderfully comforting gesture.
Frequently asked questions about chamomile herbal infusion
The ideal moment depends on what you are looking for. To support sleep, a cup thirty to sixty minutes before bed is recommended. To ease digestion after a meal, drink it straight afterwards. For a calming effect during the day, two mindful herbal tea breaks are enough to settle a busy mind.
German chamomile (matricaria) has a mild, slightly honeyed flavour, perfect for everyday drinking. Roman chamomile is more bitter and concentrated, traditionally used in herbalism for its pronounced digestive properties. Both share the core benefits, so the choice ultimately comes down to personal taste.
One to three cups a day is a comfortable amount for an adult. Beyond that, a mild diuretic effect may kick in, so it is worth spacing out your cups throughout the day.
At normal doses, chamomile is very well tolerated. The rare adverse effects concern people with Asteraceae allergies and occasional mild drowsiness in sensitive individuals. If in any doubt, it is always worth consulting a healthcare professional.
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Disclaimer: the information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Persistent complaints should be assessed by a healthcare professional. Herbal infusions are not medicines.
Sources: European Medicines Agency, Community herbal monograph on Matricaria recutita L., flos (HMPC) · ANSES, recommendations on the use of plants in infusion · WHO monograph on selected medicinal plants.
Written by
Julien Huot, founder of Thés & Traditions. Tea selector since 2016, trained in tasting and passionate about sharing the cultures of tea and herbal infusions.
Published 18 January 2019 · Updated 21 May 2026
Go further
To deepen your soothing ritual, explore our linden guide, our verbena guide, our anti-stress herbal infusion guide or our sleep herbal infusion guide. Ready to brew? Browse our organic range.