Chamomile
Herbal infusion
About this tea
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is one of the world's most beloved herbal tisanes — a caffeine-free infusion, not a true tea, made from the dried daisy-like flowers of the chamomile plant. Renowned for its gentle apple-like sweetness and golden hue, chamomile has been used for over 5,000 years as a calming remedy. Its key bioactive compound, the flavonoid apigenin, binds to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain, making chamomile one of the most scientifically studied herbs for relaxation and sleep support.
How to brew: 95°C, 5 min, 2 g per cup.
Caffeine
None
How to brew
Flavor notes
floral, sweet, smooth
Often associated with
Relaxation, Digestive comfort
Best time to enjoy
Evening, Mid-afternoon
Tags
Origin & Production
Chamomile has been cultivated since ancient Egypt, where it was dedicated to the sun god Ra for its golden flowers. Today the two main commercial species are German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), grown extensively across Central and Eastern Europe, and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), cultivated primarily in the UK and France. Egypt remains one of the largest exporters, with the Nile Valley providing ideal sandy soil and warm climate for large-scale production.
Production process
Cultivation
Chamomile thrives in well-drained, sandy soil with full sun. Seeds are sown in early spring, and the plants grow quickly, reaching flowering stage in 6–8 weeks.
Flower harvest
Only the fully opened flower heads are harvested, typically by hand or with specialized combing machines, when the white petals begin to fold back — indicating peak essential oil content.
Drying
Freshly picked flowers are spread in thin layers and dried at low temperatures (35–45°C) to preserve the volatile oils, particularly bisabolol and chamazulene, which give chamomile its therapeutic properties.
Grading & packaging
Dried flowers are sorted by size and oil content. Premium whole-flower chamomile retains intact flower heads, while lower grades are sieved into smaller fragments used in tea bags.
History & Tradition
Chamomile's history stretches from the pharaohs of ancient Egypt through Hippocratic medicine to modern clinical research — a 5,000-year journey as humanity's favorite calming herb.
Ebers Papyrus, Ancient Egypt
One of the oldest known medical texts records chamomile as a remedy for fevers and as a cosmetic offering to the gods. The Egyptians considered it sacred to Ra.
Hippocrates prescribes chamomile
The Greek physician Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, documented chamomile's use for treating fevers and inflammatory conditions.
Dioscorides' De Materia Medica
Greek physician Dioscorides included chamomile in his encyclopedic herbal reference, prescribing it for intestinal, nervous, and liver disorders.
Monastic medicine in Europe
Chamomile became a staple of monastic gardens across Europe. Monks cultivated it as one of the essential 'simples' for treating digestive ailments and insomnia.
Clinical sleep research
A randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing found that postnatal women who drank chamomile tea for two weeks reported significantly improved sleep quality.
Health Benefits
Sleep & relaxation
Apigenin, chamomile's key flavonoid, binds to GABA-A receptors in the brain, producing a mild sedative effect that helps reduce the time it takes to fall asleep.
Digestive comfort
Bisabolol and chamazulene — compounds in chamomile essential oil — have anti-spasmodic properties that relax smooth muscle in the digestive tract, easing bloating and cramping.
Anti-inflammatory action
Chamazulene, which gives chamomile oil its distinctive blue color, inhibits COX-2 and leukotriene synthesis, reducing systemic inflammation markers.
Skin health
Topical chamomile extracts rich in bisabolol and apigenin accelerate wound healing and reduce eczema symptoms, which is why it appears in many skincare formulations.
Anxiety relief
A 2019 study in Phytomedicine found that long-term chamomile extract supplementation significantly reduced moderate-to-severe Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) symptoms.
Blood sugar support
Research in the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation showed that chamomile tea consumed with meals helped lower post-meal blood glucose spikes in type 2 diabetes patients.
Grades & Varieties
German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
The most widely cultivated species, with a sweet, herbaceous apple-like flavor. Contains higher concentrations of chamazulene and bisabolol. Annual plant with hollow, cone-shaped flower receptacles.
Best for
- ✓Evening relaxation ritual
- ✓Digestive support after meals
- ✓Daily wellness infusion
Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
A perennial ground-cover plant with a slightly more bitter, intensely aromatic profile. Preferred for essential oil production and aromatherapy due to its richer scent. Also known as English chamomile.
Best for
- ✓Aromatherapy & essential oils
- ✓Blending with other herbs
- ✓Topical skin preparations
Egyptian chamomile (premium origin)
German chamomile grown in the Nile Valley of Egypt, prized as the world's finest for its high essential oil content, large golden flower heads, and exceptionally sweet, smooth taste with minimal bitterness.
Best for
- ✓Premium loose-leaf infusion
- ✓Standalone sipping — no sweetener needed
- ✓Gifting & specialty blends
Did you know?
The word "chamomile" comes from Greek "ground apple" for its apple-like scent; the Spanish "manzanilla" also means "little apple."
Foods with this tea
What to Eat with Chamomile Tea
Chamomile's gentle apple-like sweetness and floral calm pair beautifully with light pastries, soft cheeses, and honey-kissed treats.
Chamomile-Poached Chicken with Lemon and Herbs
Chicken breasts gently poached in chamomile tea become impossibly tender and fragrant, served with a silky lemon-herb pan sauce.
Chamomile Honey Crème Brûlée
A velvety crème brûlée infused with chamomile and wildflower honey—crack the caramelized top to reveal a floral, golden custard.
Drinks with this tea
Chamomile Lavender Sleep Tonic
Chamomile meets lavender, raw honey, and a splash of warm milk in the ultimate bedtime ritual—calming, golden, and naturally caffeine-free.
Iced Chamomile Lemonade with Honey
Cold-brewed chamomile blended with fresh lemonade and honey—a golden, caffeine-free summer cooler that's sunshine in a glass.
Chamomile Bee's Knees Cocktail
A floral twist on the classic Bee's Knees—chamomile-infused gin, honey syrup, and fresh lemon for a golden, Prohibition-era charmer.