Roman chamomile (2024)

FAQs

What is Roman chamomile good for? ›

Roman chamomile is used for various digestive disorders including indigestion, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and intestinal gas (flatulence) due to mental stress. Women use it for morning sickness and painful menstrual periods.

German chamomile is low-growing and branches out, while Roman chamomile grows upright on single stems. The other major difference between these plants is that one is annual while the other is perennial. Additionally, they have slightly different leaves and flowers and contain different concentrations of essential oil.

Although Roman Chamomile is generally better known, German Chamomile offers endless benefits that are not to be ignored. Equally versatile when directly compared against Roman Chamomile, this oil is perfect when used within a skincare routine.

While German chamomile is an annual, Roman and dyer's chamomile are considered perennial in zones 4-7, but they are short-lived perennials and often grown as annuals, re-sowing seeds every year or two or allowed to self-sow. Chamomile can be grown from seed easily and self-sows vigorously.

Side effects are uncommon and may include nausea, dizziness, and allergic reactions. Rare cases of anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction) have occurred in people who consumed or came into contact with chamomile products.

Precautions about its use are advised for pregnant people, breastfeeding people, children under 12 years old, and people with liver or kidney disease. Those who have allergies to plants in the Asteraceae family should not use Roman chamomile.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Roman chamomile is well known for its use in medicine and tea making. It contains many nutrients, which can relieve people's anxiety, help sleep, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.

Chamomile is known to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Roman chamomile has tonic, anodyne and antispasmodic properties. The infusion of flowers in boiling water, known popularly as chamomile tea, has long been known for its soothing and sedative effects.

There are two different chamomile plants: German chamomile and Roman chamomile. German chamomile, which is considered the more potent variety and the type most widely used for medicinal purposes, is the plant discussed here.

Which chamomile is more medicinal? ›

but the two most sought-after for their medicinal benefits are German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman or English Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile or Anthemis nobilis).

In aromatherapy, Roman chamomile is more often used for treating anxiety and sleep disorders. But for making a cup of tea, German chamomile is more common.

Quick Guide to Growing Chamomile

It grows well in raised beds, containers, and in-ground gardens. Space chamomile plants 8 inches apart in full sun for best flowering. In hot climates, an area with partial afternoon shade is ideal. Mix compost or other organic matter into the soil when planting.

Overwintering. Chamomile may survive frost but will not survive freezing. Move potted German chamomile plants indoors in winter to keep them alive in colder climates.

Chamomile is Easy to Grow From Seed

It also reseeds itself very readily, so will often come back year after year on its own. The tiny seeds need sunlight to germinate, so spread them on the surface of the soil and gently tamp them down. Keep the soil damp and they will usually sprout within a week or so.

Extracts, oils and teas made from chamomile are used for its soothing qualities as a sedative, mild analgesic and sleep medication. Chamomile has not been implicated in causing serum enzyme elevations or clinically apparent liver injury.

Stop using chamomile two weeks before surgery due to concerns about its possible interactions with anesthetic drugs. Interactions. If you take any drugs regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using chamomile supplements.

Chamomile is widely regarded as a mild tranquillizer and sleep-inducer. Sedative effects may be due to the flavonoid, apigenin that binds to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain (68). Studies in preclinical models have shown anticonvulsant and CNS depressant effects respectively.

Blood pressure medications: Chamomile may lower blood pressure slightly. Taking it with drugs for high blood pressure could cause blood pressure to drop too low. Diabetes medications: Chamomile may lower blood sugar. Taking it with diabetes drugs could raise the risk of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.

In a study, Animals with nephrotoxicity (kidney toxicity that inhibits function) took chamomile, which improved kidney function. Chamomile also helps to prevent kidney damage caused by high-fat diets. All in all, chamomile appears to be beneficial to the kidneys.

What happens if you drink chamomile tea everyday? ›

While more studies are needed to identify the definitive link, drinking a few cups of chamomile tea per day can set you on your way to better immune health. Some small studies also show that chamomile may help to inhibit the growth of cancer cells though or aid in mental health during treatment.

Roman Chamomile

How It Promotes Sleep: Chamomile operates as a mild tranquilizer and sleep inducer. Roman chamomile has been used to calm nerves, ease headaches, and aid in relaxation for centuries.

Hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: German chamomile might act like estrogen in the body. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don't use German chamomile.

Roman chamomile contains many toxic components including terpenoids and flavonoids such as bisabolol, chamazulene, volatile oil, and both anthemic and tannic acids. These toxins can cause severe irritation both internally and externally in cats.

Brief Summary: Chamomile may possess anticoagulant effects based on the presence of coumarin-like compounds within the flower.

In traditional Persian medicine, chamomile (Matricaria recutita syn. M. chamomilla, Asteraceae) oil is used for its therapeutic effects and is often prescribed for joint pain.

Chamomile Benefits

It is thought that chamomile may increase brain neurotransmitter activity (serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline) and thereby have positive effects on mood and anxiety.

That said, you cannot necessarily overdose on herbs like valerian or chamomile, but it is still possible to take too much of a supplement and experience certain adverse effects, but these generally are not life-threatening.

If you want to take advantage of chamomile's sleep-inducing benefits, it's recommended that you drink your chamomile tea for about 45 minutes before going to bed. This allows your body plenty of time to metabolize the chemical compounds that make chamomile an effective sleep aid.

The authors conclude that chamomile "may produce clinically meaningful antidepressant effects in addition to its anxiolytic activity in subjects with GAD and comorbid depression.

Is chamomile tea good for liver? ›

Chamomile Tea

It contains sesquiterpene lactone content which helps the liver clear its detoxification pathways. And, finally the anti-inflammatory properties of the herb further allows the body to effectively deal with the smooth functioning of the detoxification process.

It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antispasmodic, and sedative properties (10). Chamomile has 120 compounds together with 28 terpenoids and 36 flavonoids (11).

Chamomile-based sesquiterpenic compounds have been reported to be involved in a plethora of biological activities [48]. Chamomile has many health promoting effects including anti-allergic and anticancer activities [49].

In addition to relaxing blood vessels, chamomile can also have a calming effect on your body. As your body relaxes, your heart rate will slow and your blood pressure will decrease. This effect is temporary, but still provides a benefit to your blood pressure.

Both teas are believed to aid in weight management, however, green tea has the highest concentration of ECGC. ECGC is a potent antioxidant that has been shown to be beneficial to heart health, lowering the risks for cancers and neurological diseases, and even weight loss.

Drinking 1-2 cups of chamomile tea every day is completely safe. In fact, studies have shown that it is OK to drink up to 5 cups of chamomile tea a day. Historically, chamomile has been used to treat conditions such as: Fever.

According to Breus, you should drink one cup of chamomile tea about 45 minutes before bed if you're hoping to induce sleepiness. That will give your body enough time to metabolize the tea, and the chemical compounds that cause those sedative feelings to kick in.

Good for sleep

Chamomile tea has a mild sedative effect that is great for inducing sleep. After you fall asleep, chamomile can help to improve sleep quality so that you wake up rested and refreshed. Chamomile has also been shown to help sleep quality problems associated with depression and other mental health issues.

Brassicas (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, turnip) – All benefit from chamomile, dill, mint, rosemary, and sage. Avoid planting near eggplants, peppers, potatoes, or tomatoes.

Although not usually considered invasive, chamomile can readily self-seed in the garden. Cutting back the dying flowers before they can form seed minimizes this concern.

Will chamomile plants spread? ›

It spreads via rhizome and will eagerly take control of a small area if left to its own devices. This is an ideal plant to use as a permanent ground cover or lawn replacement. Although its flowers and leaves are suitable for harvest, the plant is typically grown instead for its benefits as a ground cover.

Chamomile Companion Planting and Ornamental Use

Companion planting: Plant chamomile with lavender, rosemary, and hyssop. Chamomile is said to aid the growth of cucumbers, onions, and most herbs. Some say chamomile improves the flavor and growth of cabbages, onions, and aromatic herbs.

Pruning and caring for chamomile

The rationale behind this is that it will spur the plant into growing new flower heads, but this practice isn't absolutely necessary. At the end of the season, cut the stems as short as you can and it will burst back in the following spring.

Plant German chamomile after last spring frost date. Roman chamomile does best started from transplants. Plant Roman chamomile when soil temperatures reach 45°F. Space both types of plants 8 inches – 12 inches apart.

Roman Chamomile has a light, fresh apple fragrance, and German Chamomile smells more like sweet straw. Medicinally, both varieties are used for calming and soothing skin, inflammation, fevers, and the nervous and digestive systems, as well as inducing perspiration to flush out toxins, allergens and infections.

The leaves and flowers are both edible but they differ in taste (the flowers have a slight apple taste). Both can be tossed into a salad or a mug to make a fresh herbal tea.

German Chamomile commonly reseeds itself, so saving seed is often not necessary for continued harvests year after year. Just leave a few flowers in the garden to set seed and they will sow themselves next season. Chamomile prefers full sun, but will tolerate some shade. Dry at room temperature in a single layer.

TRADITIONAL USE OF CHAMOMILE

As a traditional medicine, it is used to treat wounds, ulcers, eczema, gout, skin irritations, bruises, burns, canker sores, neuralgia, sciatica, rheumatic pain, hemorrhoids, mastitis and other ailments (29, 30).

Drinking 1-2 cups of chamomile tea every day is completely safe. In fact, studies have shown that it is OK to drink up to 5 cups of chamomile tea a day. Historically, chamomile has been used to treat conditions such as: Fever.

Extracts, oils and teas made from chamomile are used for its soothing qualities as a sedative, mild analgesic and sleep medication. Chamomile has not been implicated in causing serum enzyme elevations or clinically apparent liver injury.

What does chamomile tea do to the brain? ›

Chamomile is widely recognized as a mild tranquilizer and sleep-inducer. It is thought that chamomile may increase brain neurotransmitter activity (serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline) and thereby have positive effects on mood and anxiety.

While chamomile tea is a good beverage to drink at night, it can still stain the teeth. By adding a little milk, it will reduce issues with discoloration and help you fall asleep. Just make sure you wait about an hour to brush your teeth. Brushing too soon can hurt the enamel.

As it turns out, studies have shown chamomile to be effective in aiding with relaxation, and also helping with anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Of course, since it's an herb, it's not going to have as strong of an effect on a person's anxiety as a pharmaceutical drug like Klonopin or Ativan, but Dr.

Chamomile also helps to prevent kidney damage caused by high-fat diets. All in all, chamomile appears to be beneficial to the kidneys. That's a good cup of news.

If you want to take advantage of chamomile's sleep-inducing benefits, it's recommended that you drink your chamomile tea for about 45 minutes before going to bed. This allows your body plenty of time to metabolize the chemical compounds that make chamomile an effective sleep aid.

Hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: German chamomile might act like estrogen in the body. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don't use German chamomile.