🌶️Latin American Curanderismo🕯️Santería & Afro-Cuban Medicine

Manzanilla (Chamomile)

Matricaria chamomilla

About Manzanilla (Chamomile)

Manzanilla (Chamomile) (Matricaria chamomilla) is a herb used in the Latin American Curanderismo and Santería & Afro-Cuban Medicine traditions to help with Anxiety, Insomnia, Digestive Issues, and Colic, among 2 other conditions it addresses. The flowers are the part traditionally used, used both internally and topically.

Botanical background

Matricaria chamomilla (synonym: Matricaria recutita), commonly known as chamomile (also spelled camomile), Italian camomilla, German chamomile, Hungarian chamomile (kamilla), wild chamomile or scented mayweed, is an annual plant of the composite family Asteraceae. M. chamomilla is the most popular source of the herbal product chamomile, although other species are also used as chamomile.

Source: Wikipedia, via iNaturalist

Parts used

Flowers · both
🍵

Tea / Infusion

1–3 cups daily
  • Steep 1–2 tsp of dried Manzanilla (Chamomile) in freshly boiled water for 5–10 minutes.
  • Cover while steeping.
  • Strain and drink.
💧

Tincture

20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily
  • Pack dried Manzanilla (Chamomile) into a jar and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
  • Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
  • Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.
💊

Powder / Capsule

500 mg – 1 g, 1–3× daily
  • Grind dried Manzanilla (Chamomile) into a fine powder.
  • Fill size 00 capsules or stir into smoothies or honey.
🖐️

Topical / Poultice

1–2× daily as needed
  • Mash fresh Manzanilla (Chamomile) or mix the powder with a little water to form a paste.
  • Apply to the affected area for 20–30 minutes.
🫙

Infused Oil

Massage into affected area 1–2× daily
  • Fill a jar with dried Manzanilla (Chamomile).
  • Pour over a carrier oil until submerged.
  • Leave for 4–6 weeks, then strain.
  • Use topically or as a salve base.
🛁

Herbal Bath

2–3× per week as needed
  • Brew 4–6 tbsp of Manzanilla (Chamomile) in 1 litre of hot water for 15 minutes, strain, and add to a warm bath.
  • Soak for 20–30 minutes.

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
  • Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established
  • CNS medications (benzodiazepines, SSRIs, MAOIs) — may potentiate sedative or serotonergic effects

Warnings

⚠️ Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established for most herbal remedies. Consult your midwife or doctor before use.

⚠️ Sedatives & Antidepressants

May potentiate the effects of sedative, anxiolytic, or antidepressant medications. Use with caution alongside any CNS-active drugs.

⛔ Ragweed / Daisy Family Allergy

Manzanilla (Chamomile) belongs to the Asteraceae (daisy) family. If you're allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, or daisies, you may also react to this herb — start with a small amount.

⚠️ Allergic Reactions

Discontinue immediately if you experience rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

⚠️ Not Medical Advice

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal remedies.

Drug & herb interactions

May have a calming/sedative effect

Watch for: Benzodiazepines, sleep medications, other sedative herbs, and alcohol

Combined CNS-depressant effects can cause excessive drowsiness or impaired coordination.

Where to find in nature

Native region

Europe, Western Asia (naturalised globally)

Climate

Temperate

Habitat

Meadows, disturbed land, roadsides, and garden borders. One of the most widely naturalised plants — found on every temperate continent.

🌿 To see Manzanilla (Chamomile) growing, visit botanical gardens, university plant collections, or specialist herb nurseries near you. If foraging in the wild, always work with an expert identifier — never consume a plant you are not 100% certain of.

Where to buy

In store

  • Latin American botanicas (herbal apothecaries)
  • Mexican and Central American grocery stores and markets
  • Health food stores (Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Holland & Barrett, GNC)
  • Naturopathic clinics and integrative medicine practices
  • Specialist herbal apothecaries and herbalist practices

Online

iHerb

Wide selection of standardised extracts, capsules, and powders with lab testing

Mountain Rose Herbs

Premium bulk dried herbs — certified organic, ethically sourced

Starwest Botanicals

Large selection of certified organic bulk herbs and powders

Herb Pharm

High-quality liquid extracts and tinctures, rigorous quality standards

Amazon

Convenient — verify brand certifications and check third-party testing

Etsy

Small-batch artisan herbalists, hand-harvested and wildcrafted herbs

Quality tips

When buying Manzanilla (Chamomile), look for: certified organic labelling, clearly stated country of origin, third-party lab testing for heavy metals and pesticides, and a batch expiry date. Standardised extracts offer consistent dosing; bulk dried herbs are more economical for regular use. Avoid very cheap, unlabelled products — quality varies enormously.