April 2026 Herb of the Month: Chamomile

The two main categories herbalists consider when formulating an herbal concoction for the digestive system are bitters and carminatives (which help dispel gas). Chamomile happens to be a bit of both, and typically, you get the best balance of both worlds by combining the two. Bitters and carminatives can balance each other out energetically (bitters are typically cooling, and carminatives are usually warming. Chamomile specifically has a reputation as a gentle, yet wonderfully powerful remedy. It’s most often associated with tea, relaxation, and sleep, but this soft little flower can offer a much deeper medicinal value. Let’s get into it.  

Common name: Chamomile

Latin name: Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile) and Chamaemelum nobile (Roman chamomile)

Part Used: Primarily flowers (fresh or dried)

Properties: Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic (relieves smooth muscle spasms), Nervine (has mild sedative properties), Carminative, Anti-microbial, Anti-catarrhal (removes, reduces, or prevents excess mucus)

Taste: Mildly bitter, slightly sweet, aromatic

Energetics: Cooling and slightly drying

History

Ancient Egypt:

Both German and Roman chamomile have been cultivated for their medicinal properties and used somewhat interchangeably. In fact, both have been associated with ancient sun deities. For example, the ancient Egyptians considered chamomile sacred to their sun god, Ra, and used it in religious ceremonies. They even included chamomile flowers in many hieroglyphs dating back over 2,000 years. They considered it a “heal all,” and used it not only for medicinal purposes but also for beauty regimens. It was used at all stages of life: as a remedy for fevers, as part of a soothing skincare routine, and even during the end-of-life stage of mummification (due to chamomile’s antibacterial properties).

Ancient Anglo-Saxons:

Ancient Anglo-Saxon healers used chamomile prolifically. It was even included among the nine sacred herbs of the Lacnunga, an ancient herbal healing guide from the 10th century. It included herbal remedies (like chamomile), prayers, and magical charms.  

From the Lacnunga (where “maythe” was the name for chamomile):  

Remember, maythe, what you made known,

what you accomplished at Alorford,

that never a man should lose his life from infection

after maythe was prepared for his food.

This is the herb that is called ‘Wergulu’.

A seal sent it across the sea-right,

a vexation to poison, a help to others.

It stands against pain, it dashes against poison,

it has power against three and against thirty,

against the hand of a fiend and against mighty devices,

against the spell of mean creatures.

Ancient Greeks and Romans:

Pliny the Elder used chamomile to help with headaches as well as liver and kidney inflammatory issues. The Greek physician Dioscorides used chamomile for intestinal issues, liver conditions, nervous system problems, and menstrual ailments. The ancient Greeks and Romans also used chamomile for its sweet floral scent. They sprinkled it across floors during banquets and braided it into garlands, hoping to release the pleasant scent into the air. 

Benefits

Nervous System Support

Chamomile is a powerful ally to the central nervous system, and it has a special affinity for the Enteric Nervous System (ENS), which resides in the gut and is considered the “second brain”. These two nervous systems are highly communicative, and the ENS is actually extremely responsive to external and internal cues (like stress, which can trigger a hormone cascade that creates that butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling). Chamomile is soothing, anti-spasmodic, and calming to the entire gut, as well as restoring and relaxing to an overstimulated person. This is a fitting herb for anyone who holds their stress in the digestive system (like a nervous stomach or IBS). Additionally, herbalists recommend chamomile for insomnia due to its mild sedative properties. Chamomile contains a flavonoid called apigenin. Apigenin interacts with GABA receptors to reduce anxiety and promote calmness.

Digestive Support

Chamomile is very calming to the gut and can reduce inflammation by relaxing the muscles in the GI tract. Additionally, it can help move food through the digestive tract, relieving gas and bloating. Some studies even suggest that chamomile can reduce gastric acid and can protect against ulcer-causing bacteria. 

Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Support

Chamomile is rich in antioxidants, which is partially why it’s often used in herbal teas for immune support. Chamomile contains antioxidants, such as flavonoids and terpenoids, that help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Additionally, chamomile can help alleviate cold and flu symptoms, such as congestion and a sore throat. 

Women’s Health

From ancient physicians to modern herbalists, chamomile has long been used to alleviate difficult menstrual symptoms such as cramps, irritability, and insomnia. 

Chamomile Homeopathic

Homeopathy is a wonderful, gentle, yet effective modality that our doctors often recommend. Practitioners often recommend homeopathic chamomile for individuals experiencing extreme irritability, restlessness, or pain. It can be used for teething, colic, earaches, nervousness, menstrual pain, insomnia, and so much more. 

Emotional Aspects of Chamomile

Nature-based practitioners recommend chamomile in many forms, from teas and tinctures to homeopathics and flower essences. Energetically, chamomile helps soothe irritability, frustration, impatience, and hypersensitivity. In particular, it’s indicated for individuals who are tired but find it difficult to relax or whose emotional discomfort manifests as digestive discomfort. Chamomile is even gentle enough for children. 

Chamomile is often underrated, perhaps because of its reputation as a gentle herb. But it’s so much more than a bedtime tea. It’s a true plant ally that nurtures the physical and emotional bodies. Enjoying chamomile in any form is an invitation to slow down and release tension, like petals opening to the sun. 

Recipes to try!

Chamomile and Lemon Balm Cordial adapted from Vermiculture

Ingredients

• 2 tea bags of chamomile tea
• 10 whole flowers of chamomile
• 5 g fresh leaves of lemon balm
• ¾ cup of honey
• ⅛ whole vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
• ½ lemon, sliced
• 1 cup of water

Instructions

• Add the water and sugar to the pot. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean and bring to a boil over medium heat.
• Turn off the heat, then add the tea bags. Stir until the honey has completely dissolved, then let it rest for 10 minutes. Add the chamomile flowers, lemon balm, and lemon slices. Cover, set to a low setting, and simmer for 40 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and leave to steep overnight. Serve with ice and sparkling water.

Honey Chamomile Popsicles by Vanilla and Bean

Ingredients

• 3 cups Water 590g
• ⅓ cup Raw Local Honey 104g
• 4 Tea Bags of Chamomile Tea or ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon Fresh Chamomile Flowers, 6g

Instructions

• In a small saucepot, bring water to just under a boil. Remove from heat and stir in honey. Add tea bags or flowers, place the lid on the pot, and steep for 10 minutes.
• Strain if using fresh flowers. Fill popsicle molds, leaving about a 1/8″ (3mm) headroom at the top. Wipe the top of the mould dry, place the lid on the popsicles, and insert the popsicle sticks. Freeze overnight or at least eight hours.
• To release the pops, I turn the mold on its side and run water over the mold on both sides. I usually have to pry the lid off, wedging a fork in between the lid and mold, especially if I forgot to dry the top of the mold off before freezing. Gently wiggle the popsicle stick to remove the popsicle… be careful here, as I’ve broken the stick several times.

Notes

• Store the popsicles in a lidded container or freezer bag, layering the popsicles between parchment paper. Store for up to 1 week.

Chamomile and Turmeric Evening Latte by Green Kitchen Stories

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 2 tbsp dried chamomile in a tea bag or 2 chamomile tea sachets (organic if possible)
• 1-3 tsp cold-pressed coconut oil
• 1 1/2 cup unsweetened plant milk of choice
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• (a pinch of black pepper, optional)
• 1 tbsp raw honey (Manuka honey if possible) or more to taste

Instructions

• Bring water to a boil in a saucepan. 
• Turn off the heat, then add chamomile and let it steep for 3-5 minutes. 
• Discard the chamomile.
• Now stir in milk, coconut oil, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, (black pepper), and honey. 
• Taste and add more honey, coconut oil, or spices if you prefer. Re-heat on low heat if needed. Enjoy!