IHA Herb of the Year 2025 — Chamomile

Every year since 1995 the IHA (International Herb Association) has highlighted an “Herb of the Year.” Throughout the year that particular herb is promoted to help educate the public of its many virtues in culinary, medicinal, and ornamental uses. For 2025, the IHA’s Herb of the Year is Chamomile.
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The International Herb Association has named Chamomile, Latin name, Matricaria, as the Herb of the Year, 2025.

Matricaria or German chamomile originates in Europe and North Africa and is widely used as a tea and in alternative medicine. Chamomile likes to grow in light, dry, sandy soil and full sun. It has scented foliage and daisy-like flowers and can be propagated by seed or plant division.

Chamomile’s first recorded medicinal use in 1550, B.C.E. was in ancient Egypt, where it was considered sacred to the sun god, Ra. Chamomile was used throughout the ancient world for digestive issues and gynecological problems. In the Middle Ages chamomile was essential in monastery gardens, used to ease digestive problems, relieve tension, aid sleep, and dissolve kidney stones and gall stones.

Chamomile has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antispasmodic, muscle relaxant, antiallergenic and sedative properties. The calmative agent in chamomile, apigenin, binds to the same receptors in the brain that some anti-anxiety medications do.
Chamomile contains calcium, potash, and sulfur, and when made into a tea, can be used as a spray to help with blossom end rot on tomatoes (per gardeningknowhow.com).

Folklore tip: Carry a sachet of German chamomile in your pocket or purse to draw money there. 

The Latin name of wild Chamomile, Matricaria, comes from mater and cara, or “Beloved Mother.”