The International Herb Association named chamomile the 2025 Herb of the Year. Whether for its medicinal properties, durability or spiritual associations, chamomile, with small daisy-like flowers and an apple scent, has been an important herb for thousands of years. The St. Louis Herb Society share more about the charismatic chamomile.
What makes a plant an herb?
Broadly, professionals define herbs as “plants with a use.” More narrowly, herbs can be thought of as having savory, medicinal, or aromatic purposes. Chamomile is a popular plant best known as a calming herbal tea.
Is it an herb or a herb? It depends on the pronunciation, since words that start with consonant sounds require “a” and words that start with vowel sounds require “an”. Many countries pronounce the “h” in herb, but in the United States it is silent. Both are correct, but the Missouri Botanical Garden defers to the U.S. pronunciation.
What Is Chamomile?
Chamomile’s popularity has attracted a lot of hangers on—plants who throughout the centuries have had “chamomile” tacked on to their common names. The Herb Society of America, however, recognizes only two plants as true chamomiles. Their common names are Roman chamomile and German chamomile.
Are the two Types of Camomile similar?
Botanically speaking, the two are separate, unrelated species. The scientific name for Roman chamomile is Chamaemelum nobile, while German chamomile is Matricaria recutita or Matricaria chamomilla.
The common name “chamomile” comes from ancient Greek and translates roughly as “apple on the ground.” Both Roman and German chamomiles have the characteristic tiny daisy-like flowers and apple scent. But their growth habits are very different.
Roman chamomile is a low growing, 2.5-inch to 6-inch perennial that spreads through creeping stems of fern-like foliage that root as they grow. It sometimes can be used as a lawn substitute or to fill in between stones on pathways.
German chamomile is a 1-to 2-foot tall annual with feathery foliage that readily self-seeds and blooms from June through August.
How do Humans Use Camomile?
While Roman camomile is most commonly grown for its ornamental qualities, the flower heads can be dried to make chamomile tea, known historically for its soothing qualities. Historically, people used Roman chamomile to cure a variety of conditions including headache, colds, flu and stomach disorders.
German chamomile is common in herb gardens. grown for use as chamomile tea as it has a sweeter taste than Roman chamomile. The flowers should be harvested when fully opened and can be used fresh or dried and stored in air-tight containers. While neither chamomile is native to the United States, because it self-seeds, German chamomile can often be seen growing along Missouri and Illinois roadsides.
Camomile in popular Culture
Camomile is not just popular as tea, it also frequently shows up in lore and legend. In Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit, Peter’s mother administers a “table-spoonful of chamomile tea” to settle his stomach. His stomach, of course, was shaking after his adventure and overeating in Mr. McGregor’s garden.
In Shakespeare’s Henry IV Part 1, Falstaff lauds chamomile for its durability. “The chamomile grows faster the more it is trodden on,” he proclaims.
The ancient Egyptians dedicated chamomile to their powerful sun god Ra. The flower’s yellow center and radiating white petals reminded them of the sun.
Did you know? The St. Louis Herb Society maintains an herb garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The herb garden is located directly behind Tower Grove House. Learn More.
The St. Louis Herb Society Annual Sale
Both Roman chamomile and German chamomile will be on sale at the St. Louis Herb Society annual herb sale.
Each year the St. Louis Herb Society invites hosts its annual sale at the Missouri Botanical Garden, offering over thousands of plants and over a hundred varieties of herbs to take home.
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