Chamomile: Benefits, Uses & Dosage

Chamomile is probably already in your kitchen cupboard. That makes it one of the easiest ways into Ayurveda: a familiar bedtime tea that the tradition treats as a real medicine for digestive and nervous complaints.

Two plants share the name. Roman chamomile is Anthemis nobilis and German chamomile is Matricaria chamomilla, both members of the daisy family (Asteraceae). The flowers and other parts of the herb are used.

Ayurveda describes chamomile as a therapeutic beverage tea that is good for all constitutions in moderate amounts. It is a particularly good choice for Pitta types, people who tend to run hot, sharp and intense. It is also singled out as well suited to the digestive and nervous problems of children.

Chamomile's uses all flow from its classical profile. It is bitter and pungent in taste, has a cooling energy (Sheeta Virya, the cool potency a herb exerts in the body) and a pungent post-digestive effect (Katu Vipaka, the taste's lasting effect after digestion). It acts on the digestive, respiratory and nervous systems.

Its listed actions are carminative, nervine, antispasmodic, analgesic, diaphoretic, emmenagogue and, in large doses, emetic. It reduces Kapha and Pitta but can aggravate Vata in excess.

Digestion

As a carminative, chamomile helps settle gas and digestive upset, and it is indicated for indigestion. Because it cools rather than heats, it suits digestive trouble that comes with burning or internal heat, where warming spices can make things worse.

Colic and Cramping

Chamomile is indicated for colic. Its antispasmodic and analgesic actions work on both the cramp and the pain, and its nervine action helps when stress is part of the trigger. See chamomile for colic for the full protocol.

Sleep and the Nervous System

As a nervine, chamomile relaxes nervous-system tension, which is why a warm cup before bed is a long-standing home remedy for insomnia. It is especially useful for Pitta-type sleeplessness with heat and irritability. More detail is in chamomile for insomnia.

Headaches

Chamomile helps relieve bilious, digestive headaches, the kind tied to an upset stomach and excess heat. Its cooling, Pitta-reducing nature fits this pattern.

Women's Health

Chamomile is listed as an emmenagogue, a herb that promotes menstrual flow. It is indicated for painful periods (dysmenorrhea) and absent periods (amenorrhea), where its antispasmodic action also helps.

Other Classical Indications

The classical indications also include eye inflammations and jaundice. Both are heat-related complaints that match chamomile's cooling, Pitta-reducing profile.

Chamomile is taken in three classical forms: hot or cold infusion, powder and paste. Moderate amounts are the rule, because large doses are emetic.

Vehicle (anupana, the liquid a herb is taken with): plain hot water is the default. For a dry, depleted Vata type, a little warm milk added to a cooled infusion makes the tea more grounding. For Pitta, drink it plain at room temperature.

Chamomile pairs well with fennel seeds in the steep for gas, and with Ashwagandha milk earlier in the evening for Vata-type sleeplessness.

Chamomile is gentle and suits most people in moderate amounts. The exceptions are specific and worth knowing.

• Large doses are emetic. The classical record states that large dosages cause vomiting. Stay within 1 to 3 cups of infusion a day, or 250 mg to 1 g of powder.
• Can aggravate Vata. In excess, chamomile can aggravate Vata. Very dry, anxious, depleted people should keep doses moderate and pair it with a grounding herb.
• Daisy-family allergy. Rare allergic reactions occur in people sensitive to the Asteraceae family, such as ragweed, daisy and marigold. Stop at any sign of rash, hives or breathing change.
• Pregnancy. Chamomile is listed as an emmenagogue. Light culinary tea is generally fine, but avoid medicinal-dose powder or strong daily infusions without a practitioner's advice.
• Blood thinners. Chamomile has mild blood-thinning activity. Check with your prescriber if you take warfarin or a similar drug.
• Sedatives. It has mild sedative activity. Clear it with your prescriber if you take sleep medication or other drugs that depress the nervous system.

Chamomile is often weighed against other calming and digestive herbs. Here is when to choose which.

Pregnancy & Nursing

Chamomile is listed as an emmenagogue, a herb that promotes menstrual flow. Light culinary tea is generally considered fine in pregnancy, but avoid medicinal-dose powder and strong daily infusions unless a practitioner advises them.

For nursing mothers with a colicky baby, the classical and safer route is for the mother to drink 1 to 2 cups of chamomile tea daily rather than giving tea to the infant.

Children

Ayurveda describes chamomile as well suited to the digestive and nervous problems of children. For babies over six months, a very dilute, well-strained, cooled infusion (1 to 2 teaspoons as needed) is sometimes given under a practitioner's or paediatrician's advice. Avoid it entirely in infants under six months, and watch for daisy-family allergy.

Elderly

Chamomile's mild action makes it a reasonable bedtime or after-meal tea for older adults. Because it has mild sedative and blood-thinning activity, check with your doctor if you take sleep medication or anticoagulants. Older people who are dry and depleted should keep doses moderate, since chamomile can aggravate Vata in excess.

Athletes

Our sources record no performance role for chamomile. Its antispasmodic action may help a body that will not relax at night, through muscular tension or cramping, but stay within normal tea doses.