All About German Chamomile
German Chamomile calms the mind and soothes the skin. It has been used for wounds, to reduce itching, and as a topical anti-inflammatory. The dried herbs is commonly used to make a tea to aid with relaxation and improve sleeping.
Fun Fact
German Chamomile essential oil is high in chamazulene, giving it a blue hue.
German Chamomile Research
Over 40 research articles have been catalogued for German Chamomile. It has been studied for its anxiolytic action and ability to help reuduce insomnia. It also acts as a gentle topical aid for dry skin, wounds, itching, and inflammation. Some in vitro studies have found antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and cancer cell fighting actions in German Chamomile and its constituents; more studies are warranted. Click the button below for a detailed review of research.
German Chamomile Blog Articles
German Chamomile Herb and Essential Oil
Latin Name: Matricaria recutita, Chamomilla recutita, and Matricaria chamomilla
Family: Asteraceae
Other Common Names
- Matricaria flowers, sweet false chamomile, Hungarian chamomile, German chamomile, blue chamomile, pinheads
- There are three main types of chamomile:
- Roman or English - Anthemis nobilis, Chamaemelum nobile - high ester content
- German or Blue - Matricaria chamomila or Matricaria recutica - high in chamazulene, farnesene, and bisabobol
- Moroccan - Anthemis mixta, Ormensis mixta, or Ormensis multicaulis - high in alpha pinene, germacene, santolina alcohol, and spirocarveol
Plant Description
German chamomile is a perennial daisy like flower.
Herb Description
Flower tops are used, fresh or dried. A tea made with up to 3 grams, or about a Tablespoon of dried herbs can be steeped for up to 10 minutes. A bath can be taken with up to about 2 cups of dried flowers.
Essential Oil Description
Essential oil is steam distilled from the flowers, or supercritical carbon dioxide extraction is done because it yields a higher amount of chamazulene. Oil is blue with a floral, sweet, herbaceous aroma. German chamomile is the most expensive of the chamomiles, and identifiable by its blue color.
Key Constituents
- Bisabolol
- Farnesene
- Chamazulene
