Which species is “Chamomile”?
“Chamomile” is two different plants in two different genera: German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) — the species behind most tea and clinical research — and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), a distinct article.
The species behind the name
- Chamomile
Matricaria recutita / Chamaemelum nobile
Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile) — the chamomile of most commerce and most human research; apigenin/bisabolol chemistry.
- Roman Chamomile
Chamaemelum nobile
Chamaemelum nobile (Roman/English chamomile) — different genus, different essential-oil profile; the traditional lawn/garden chamomile.
How to tell what a product actually is
- Most “chamomile tea” is German unless labeled Roman; essential-oil buyers should check the binomial — the two oils are not interchangeable articles.
- Both are Asteraceae — daisy-family allergy caution applies to each equally.
Educational use only. This page explains species identity — it makes no claim that any species works for anything, and it is never a place to decide what to take. It is not a substitute for medical advice. If you take medication, talk to your clinician or pharmacist before adding any botanical, whichever species it turns out to be.