Magickal Properties and Uses of Chamomile

September 3, 2024 Rebecca Haynes

Chamomile (Anthemis Nobilis)

Chamomile is a small, daisy-like plant of the Asteraceae (daisy) family, with delicate, feathery leaves. Its flowers are the most recognizable feature, typically having white petals surrounding a yellow central disc. The plant generally grows to about 20-30 cm (8-12 inches) in height. The petals are thin and elongated, while the leaves are finely divided,

giving them a soft, fern-like appearance.

The name for Chamomile comes from its delicate scent that is somewhat reminiscent of apples. The Greeks in fact, referred to Chamomile as “ground apple”- Kamai- meaning ‘on the ground’ and melon meaning ‘an apple’.

Types: There are two main types of Chamomiles:

German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla): This is an annual plant, meaning it completes its life cycle in one growing season. It tends to be taller and has a stronger aroma compared to Roman Chamomile.

Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile): This is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for several years. It’s shorter and often used as a ground cover in gardens due to its creeping growth habit.

Habitat and Growing Conditions

Native Range: Chamomile is native to Europe and Western Asia, but it is now widely cultivated across the world. German Chamomile is commonly found in temperate climates, while Roman Chamomile is more adaptable and can be grown in a broader range of conditions.
Soil: Chamomile prefers well-drained, sandy or loamy soil. It thrives in soils with a pH between 5.6 and 7.5. The plant is relatively tolerant of poor soil but will not do well in heavy, clay-like soils that retain too much moisture.
Light: Chamomile grows best in full sun, though it can tolerate partial shade. In hot climates, a bit of afternoon shade can be beneficial to prevent the plants from wilting in the intense heat.

Water: Chamomile prefers moderate watering. It should be watered regularly, especially during dry periods, but be careful not to overwater, as it doesn’t like to sit in soggy soil. Well-drained soil is key to avoiding root rot.

Temperature: Chamomile grows best in cool conditions. Ideal temperatures range between 15°C to 24°C (59°F to 75°F). It can withstand light frost but prolonged freezing temperatures can damage the plant.
Propagation: Chamomile can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, or division. German Chamomile is typically grown from seeds, while Roman Chamomile can also be propagated by division due to its creeping nature.

Chamomile is often grown in herb gardens, used as a companion plant (it is said that if you have a plant that is dying in your garden and you plant Chamomile next to it, it will recover), or cultivated for its medicinal and aromatic properties. Chamomile is benefitted by and gives off its delicate scent when trodden upon which is why in the Middle Ages it was often planted in green walks and gardens. For this reason, Chamomile is said to reveal its presence before being seen.

Aside from its mundane uses, Chamomile also has a long history of use in magickal practices and is associated mainly with sleep, prosperity, healing and love. The two types of Chamomile seem to be able to be used interchangeably , however you may notice slightly stronger associations with one or the other.

The Magickal Properties Of Chamomile :

German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla):

Folk Names: Wild chamomile, ground apple, Heermannchen (German). Chamaimelon, Camomyle

Part Used: Flowers (fresh or dried), essential oil

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Sun, Venus

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius, Leo

Element: Water

Daily Correspondence: Sunday, Monday

Powers: Prosperity, Sleep, Combat Curses

Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile):

Folk Names: Wild Chamomile, Ground Apple, Heermannchen (German). Chamaimelon, Camomyle, Manzanilla (Spanish), Maythen, Whig Plant

Part Used: Flowers (fresh or dried), essential oil

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Sun, Venus

Element: Water

Powers: Abundance, Healing, Peace, Prosperity, Purification, Self- Love, Sleep.

Some of the magickal properties of Chamomile include:

Prevents nightmares: drinking chamomile tea before bed is said to prevent nightmares
Attract Money- Chamomile can be used in spells for prosperity.
Enhances Meditation- Drinking a tea of Chamomile or burning Chamomile whilst meditating can increase the sense of calm and improve one’s meditation.
Combat Curses- German chamomile is said to be a good herb for spell work to
combat curses.
Attracting Love- Chamomile is a herb of love and can be used in love spells to attract love. It is also a herb commonly used for enhancing self love.
Purification- Chamomile is a purifying herb and can be used in a bath to purify oneself prior to rituals. Certain cultures in fact believed that bathing newborns in Chamomile water purified, blessed and enchanted the baby.
Induces Sleep- Chamomile is known as a calming herb and as such can help to induce sleep.
Healing- Chamomile can be used in healing spells- especially for healing others- this can be seen in the healing of dying plants when a Chamomile plant is planted near them.

How To Use Chamomile For Magick

Burn dried Chamomile as a loose incense in a censer/ thurible to aid in relaxation, meditation and sleep.
Purification Incense- Chamomile can also be burnt to purify one’s surroundings and sacred space.
Chamomile Handwash- Use a handwash of Chamomile water prior to handling money or dealing in business to increase wealth and business success. This is apparently sometimes used as practice amongst gamblers to increase the chance of winning.
Love bath- Add an infusion of Chamomile to your bath to attract love.
Home protection- Sprinkle Chamomile around your home to increase protection and removes curses/ spells cast against you.
Use as a Tea- Chamomile can be made into a pleasant tea that is delicate in flavour. Drinking chamomile tea before retiring to be is said to ward off nightmares.
Chamomile tea can also be consumed before spell work to ground oneself.
Self-Love- bathe in a bath to which Chamomile has been added to increase not only love, but self- love.
Sleep Aid- Add dried Chamomile flowers to an herb sachet and place under the pillow to induce sleep. You can also place a vase of fresh chamomile next to your bed, or sniff chamomile oil to help improve sleep.
Meditation Aid- Sniff chamomile oil during the day to aid peace and help with meditation.
Protection Ritual Bath- Add ground chamomile to a bath for a purification and protection ritual.
Cleansing Rituals- Use the fresh branches of the Chamomile plant to sprinkle chamomile water everywhere that cleansing or blessing is required.
Use Chamomile in healing spells- Chamomile can be infused in oil and used to dress candles for healing spells, especially those performed on behalf of another.
House Purification- scatter chamomile flowers through the house and sweep the contents out the back door to purify your home.
Protection Charm- Braid chamomile stalks and flowers and hang in the home for
protection.
Attraction Charm- according to Annabel Margaret in “Green Witch’s Guide to Herbal Magick” wearing chamomile essential oil/ infused oil is reported to attract a lover who is generous with their money.
Prosperity- Place chamomile flowers in your wallet to attract money.

The Magickal benefits of this herb are not set in stone. These magickal benefits are from a Eurocentric viewpoint, as is my personal background and what I am familiar with.

*Chamomile should not be worked with if you are allergic to either Chamomile or Ragweed.

Do your own research before working with each ingredient always and consult sources from your own ancestral background. What is right for me in my situation, may be completely wrong for you.

Let us know what you think about this fantastic plant. Do you grow it? If so, what has been your experience with it? Do you use it for mundane purposes, magickal purposes, or both? We'd love to hear your experiences.

Please note: The author of this blog is not a medical professional & the information presented in this blog is solely for entertainment and informational purposes. No information contained within this bog is intended to serve as professional advice of any description. Please consult a healthcare professional if you are seeking treatment for any medical condition. If you choose to perform any type of self-treatment or follow advice off the internet you do so at your own risk.

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