Herb Weavers Journal #100 - Chamomile - 25th March 2025

Herb Weavers Journal

Chamomile

Even it’s smell is relaxing, its tiny bud like flowers dance in the breeze and you feel your blood pressure dropping just looking at it.

There are 2 types of chamomile mainly used in herbal remedies and healthcare. German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and is the most widely used, and Roman or English chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile).

Commonly used for : -anxiety, stress relief, aiding sleep and chest colds. It is thought to help with a high temperature, issues relating to the stomach and gut such as IBS, trapped wind, acid reflux, heartburn and tummy upsets as it has very calming qualities.

People have used it as a gargle for sore throats if they don’t like the taste of salt and a warm cotton wool ball soaked in chamomile tea can help with hemorrhoids too.

It is probably best know as a relaxing herbal tea or essential oil within massage, but can be added to sweet food, ointments and soaks and helps skin issues such as acne, eczema, infection caused by shingles and psoriasis to name a few.

You can purchase chamomile capsules from a reputable health food shop, but making your own herbal tea or soak (make a strong tea and allow to cool slightly before applying to the skin with a soft cloth, bandage or cotton wool. If using in essential oil form, always add to a good quality carrier oil first. Do not apply direct to the skin.

I have used chamomile for headaches too and find for me it works much better than lavender.