Chamomile is best known for its calming and soothing properties when brewed as a tea. It is also widely used in skin care and beauty products as a natural anti-inflammatory and for treating acne scars. There is also limited research to support its use in easing anxiety and promoting sleep.
It is important to always consult with healthcare professionals before trying any herbal remedy. They can provide personalized guidance, considering individual health conditions, allergies and medications. This is especially crucial for pregnant and breastfeeding individuals, as well as people with pre-existing health issues.
Although it is safe to consume chamomile as a tea, there are no studies to determine its safety for smoking. Any herb or plant that is smoked can carry pulmonary risks that are harmful to the body, regardless of its chemical makeup. It is also recommended that chamomile not be smoked alone or in a herbal cigarette as it has an intense flavor and can overpower the other herbs in the herbal cigarettes (source: WebMD).
If you want to add chamomile to your smoking blend, make sure that you start with only a quarter of the mix. It is important to note that consuming chamomile as a tea provides different effects than when it is smoked because the compounds are taken into the body through the digestive tract and lungs, while when smoked the chemicals are inhaled directly into the lungs. The result is that the lungs absorb the compounds much quicker than when they are digested and absorbed by the digestive system (source: PuffHerbals). This means that it will take several cups of chamomile to have the same effect as smoking it.