True Chamomile - Matricaria recutita

True Chamomile – traditional medicinal plant with aromatic blossoms. 

An annual medicinal and tea plant with a mild, aromatic‑floral flavor and a high content of essential oils such as bisabolol and chamazulene. It grows robustly, is easy to care for, and is suitable for open ground, containers, and naturalistic gardens. It germinates reliably and readily self‑seeds. Ideal for self‑sufficiency and organic medicinal herb cultivation.

  Origin & History

True chamomile is a wild plant native to southern and eastern Europe and belongs to the daisy family (Asteraceae), within the subfamily Asteroideae and the genus Matricaria. Over the centuries it has spread across Europe and is now also found in parts of North Africa, in sections of the Macaronesian islands, and throughout temperate Eurasia as far as Indochina. The name “chamomile” derives from the Greek chamaimēlon, meaning “apple of the earth,” referring to the characteristic apple‑like scent of its blossoms.

True chamomile already played an important role in antiquity: it was used by Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans and is mentioned by Hippocrates, Galen, and Asclepius. Its calming, antispasmodic, and anti‑inflammatory properties made it one of the most significant medicinal plants of the ancient world. Over the centuries it remained a central herb in European folk medicine and was valued in many cultures as a versatile natural remedy.

A defining feature of this species is its distinctly hollow receptacle, which reliably distinguishes it from similar species such as stinking chamomile. Thanks to its long history of use, its aromatic flowers, and its high content of valuable constituents, true chamomile is still considered one of the most important traditional medicinal plants in Europe today.

   Appearance & Characteristics

True Chamomile is an annual herb that forms upright, branched stems with finely divided, light‑green leaves. The white ray florets and yellow disc florets sit in typical 1–2 cm flower heads with a strongly domed, hollow receptacle. It attracts numerous insects and is hardy enough to maintain itself through self‑seeding.

Plant details:

• Height: Compact, 15–50 cm

• Form: Upright, loosely branched

• Leaves: Finely divided, aromatic

• Flowers: White‑yellow, 1–2 cm in size

• Flavor: Mild‑floral, slightly apple‑like

 Usage & Cultivation Highlights

True chamomile is ideal for teas, infusions, salves, steam baths, and natural cosmetics. The blossoms contain essential oils with calming and anti‑inflammatory properties. It is traditionally used internally for digestive discomfort, cramps, and bloating, and externally for soothing irritated skin, relaxing baths, and supporting skin regeneration. As an inhalation, it helps with colds, calms the mucous membranes, and eases breathing. Its mild aroma also makes it a popular ingredient in herbal pillows, fragrance blends, and aromatherapy.

True chamomile grows reliably in open ground, greenhouses, and containers. It prefers sunny locations, well‑drained, low‑nutrient soils, and tolerates dry conditions well. Annual but eager to self‑seed, it requires little water and is overall very easy to care for. Thanks to its robust nature, it thrives even under less‑than‑ideal conditions and produces abundant blossoms over many weeks. The plants attract numerous beneficial insects such as bees, hoverflies, and butterflies, supporting ecological balance in the garden. With its natural tendency to self‑seed, it reappears each year in suitable spots and is excellent for naturalistic, low‑maintenance gardens.

Compared to other chamomile species, true chamomile is the well‑known traditional medicinal plant with particularly valued healing properties – ideal for those who appreciate easy‑to‑grow annual herbs with fragrant, insect‑friendly blossoms.