Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla
Parts used
Flower heads
Region
Temperate Europe, naturalised widely — open sunny ground
Season
May · June · July · August
Where it comes from
Native to Europe and western Asia; German chamomile is farmed widely in Egypt and eastern Europe.
How it’s been used through history
Egyptians dedicated it to the sun and used it in ointments. Anglo-Saxon herbals listed it among the sacred herbs, and by the 1800s a cup of chamomile at bedtime was standard European household practice for nerves, colic and restless children.
Lookalike warning
Stinking mayweed looks near identical but smells acrid. True chamomile has a hollow, domed receptacle and an apple scent.
Recipes with Chamomile
Tap a recipe to see measured ingredients and preparation steps.
For educational purposes only. Not medical advice.