The chamomile flower has been taken to mean strength, peace, slumber, and respite, as even when it’s trampled underfoot, it can carry on living and blooming, unlike other flowers.
It also means renewal and rebirth in some Asian cultures because of its flawless white petals and ability to die in winter and spring back the next season. In particular, the German chamomile is known to do this.
Now, there’s more to learn about the chamomile flower, such as its colors and meanings, traditional uses, cultural history, and impact. It’s not just for tea after all.
Quick Chamomile Facts
Chamomile is part of the genus Matricaria. It’s native to North Africa, Asia, and Europe, thriving in warm and humid regions.
The two most popular and cultivated varieties of chamomile are the English or Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) and the German chamomile (Matricaria recutita).
The first is an annual plant that lives for a single season from germination to seed production. Whereas, the second is a perennial plant that can live for more than two years.
Their blooming season is during spring and summer, mostly from June to July. Small flies are their chief pollinators that help them to spread in the wild.
Physical Description of Chamomile
The flower mostly comes with white petals and a yellow disc center. It grows on very light and thin stems, allowing them to gracefully sway in the wind.
It has a strong and sweet apple fragrance that many people love. Some compare its smell to sweet hay and somewhat like deer musk too.
Belonging to the sizable family of Asteraceae, the lovely flower resembles the asters, both having a distinct, protruded yellow center.
Also, interestingly, the daisies and sunflowers are under this group, and it’s evident in the chamomile’s sunny and inviting look.
Mature chamomiles can grow to be 8 to 24 inches tall and 8 to 12 inches wide. So, it won’t take as much space in your garden as other kinds of flowers.
Why is it called chamomile?
Chamomile is a Latin and French word derived from the Greek word khamaimēlon meaning earth or melon apple.
This is very accurate in relation to the fresh apple scent of the flower and the yellow center of the flower that is almost round like a melon.
Chamomile Flower Meaning and Symbolism
There are more than a few meanings associated with the chamomile flower. This includes faith, peace, poise, calmness, humility, rest, renewal, and rebirth.
The general explanation for this is in the field, these small flowers get trampled a lot, but despite this, they endure, recover, and then even thrive as if nothing happened. So, if we think about it, they’re good exemplars of these values.
Besides that, given the flowers’ amazing set of qualities, it’s not hard to see that chamomile can also symbolize love, fortune, and happiness.
Chamomile Meaning by Color
The chamomile has only two colors that are enough to make an aesthetic impact: white and yellow. Throughout history, these colors have had a rich symbolic meaning that still applies today.
So, here are the meanings of the white and yellow tones of the chamomile flower:
- White
White is symbolic of hope and a fresh beginning. Apart from that, white represents purity, innocence, and rebirth, as most white flowers mean.
White flowers are, therefore, suitable for wedding ceremonies, baby showers, baptisms, and first communions.
- Yellow
On the other hand, yellow expresses joy, optimism, and youthfulness. Often, humor and lightheartedness get us through the day, and these things the yellow can symbolize well.
What’s more, yellow, which is found on the chamomile’s center also signifies the sun or the rising of the sun, emanating warmth, hope, and dedication.
As you can see, the combination of white and yellow in chamomiles contribute to its overall special meaning. Thus, if you want to convey peace, love, and strength to another person, chamomile is definitely the flower to pick!
When to Gift Chamomile Flowers
They may not be like roses or dahlias, but still, chamomile flowers make for a unique and wonderful gift on various occasions.
Do you have a friend that’s stressed, a mother who has given you great love and support, or someone you have wronged before? If so, you can surprise them with a fragrant bouquet, hatbox, or vase of chamomile.
The peaceful nature of the flowers will help bury past wrongs and for you to regain broken trust with your friend. It’s jovial and bright, and that will surely spruce up the lucky recipient’s house.
Moreover, if someone has just moved to a new home, you can also give chamomile as a lovely housewarming gift. For wishing someone good luck in their new venture or business, a simple chamomile in a vase would be nice.
And indeed, you can surprise your spouse by giving them a delicious breakfast-in-bed with a few fabulous stems of chamomile. The flower gift will tell them that you love and care for them very much!
Chamomile and Its Cultural Importance
Its scope of influence began from where it was first cultivated—North Africa, Europe, and West Asia.
- Egypt
The Egyptians were among the first people who grew this plant. They discovered early that it had excellent medicinal uses, as documented in a papyrus scroll in 1550 BC.
So, they primarily used chamomile as an offering to their gods to cure a serious mosquito-borne fever or malaria, as we call it today.
- Rome
Chamomile had pretty much the same use for Romans, and for them, it was used to concoct a medicinal herbal drink and sweet-scented incense for the gods.
- Spain
After some time, it started to appear in Mediterranean countries like Spain. The Spaniards utilized it to enhance the flavor to make sherry wines, which have a distinct nutty flavor.
In other parts of Europe, chamomile began to be incorporated into morning and afternoon teas, which provided calmness and relaxation to everyday life.
- Medieval Times
Since the early medieval era (about the 6th century), chamomile was grown in many gardens, yards, and pathways. People in that time admired the flower for its ability to endure being stepped on regularly.
And for the same reason, the great English poet and playwright William Shakespeare also chose the flower to represent renewal and resilience in his famous play Henry IV.
- Russia
In 1998, Russia declared the Roman chamomile their national flower. The reason is they hold the flower in high regard due to its full gamut of medicinal uses.
To the Russian people, chamomile symbolizes the absolute power of the sun and courage and resilience in times of hardships.
And the famous practice of plucking chamomile petals one by one, while saying, “He loves me, he loves me not,” comes from the same country.
What are the benefits of chamomile?
The chamomile flower and leaves have a slew of medicinal uses. It owes its usefulness to phytochemicals. Some of which are tannin, salicylate, coumarins, flavonoids, and fatty acids.
The flower can effectively treat or alleviate plenty of health conditions such as indigestion, abdominal pain, ulcers, and diarrhea. For babies, chamomile is used as an ingredient to fight colic and teething pain.
Besides that, it can combat inflammation, bacteria, muscle spasms, and allergies. When made into tea, it helps to remedy fever, headaches, flu, and cough.
Women advanced in age can take herbal supplements formulated with chamomile to ward off painful pre-menstrual cramps, gout, arthritis, and toothaches.
Applied on the skin, chamomile can also treat skin conditions like mild to harsh wounds, sores, rashes, and burns. Plus, one can even gargle the chamomile-infused liquid to heal stinging canker sores.
Despite their excellent therapeutic uses, it’s very important to note that excessive doses or usage of chamomile can have negative effects on one’s health.
FAQS about the Meaning of Chamomile Flower
- What is the meaning of a chamomile tattoo?
A fresh chamomile flower and tattoo have pretty much the same meaning.
The tattoo will represent beauty, youth, innocence, bliss, and even luck if you’re still looking for your soulmate. But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, as the symbol can mean ignorance and lack of faith too.
Getting a tattoo with multiple chamomile flowers can be a brilliant idea. It suggests cheerier and warmer thoughts and feelings, and also, some say that these plants get stronger by the numbers.
- Can chamomiles attract money?
Some people make talismans with a chamomile design. When worn, it’s said to bring good luck and fortune.
In fact, in the old days, gamblers used to wash their hands in chamomile tea before they throw dice or draw out cards. They believed it raised their chances of winning.
- What does chamomile symbolize in the American south?
Chamomile has also been grown in the American south. It has come to symbolize luck, and in fact, southerners consider it a lucky flower.
In Paganism and Wicca, a chamomile garland worn on the head can attract the perfect man or woman. In the same belief, one can also attract money or career luck by placing these flowers in their pockets whenever they go out.