Chamomile is best known for adding golden highlights to light hair, but it does more than that. Used as a rinse or found in hair products, chamomile can calm an irritated scalp, add shine, and may support healthier hair growth over time. Its benefits come from a handful of plant compounds, especially one called apigenin, that work on both the hair shaft and the skin underneath it.
How Chamomile Affects Hair Color
Chamomile’s lightening reputation is well earned, but the effect depends heavily on your starting color. The plant contains apigenin, a yellow-toned flavonoid that makes up roughly 17% of chamomile’s flavonoid content. When you coat your hair in a chamomile rinse repeatedly, this pigment builds up on the outer layer of each strand, creating a warm, golden tint rather than stripping color the way bleach does.
On blonde or light brown hair, this translates to subtle sun-kissed highlights, especially if you sit in sunlight while the rinse dries. On medium brown hair, the result tends to be a coppery, reddish-blonde shift that develops gradually over weeks. On dark brown or black hair, the effect is far less visible, though some people notice a slight warm cast in direct light. Results are inconsistent: some people with light brown hair see almost no change, while others with the same shade get noticeable warmth. Genetics, porosity, and how often you apply the rinse all play a role.
Scalp Soothing and Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Chamomile’s strongest evidence is as an anti-inflammatory. A 2025 systematic review of 11 randomized clinical trials found that chamomile produced statistically significant reductions in pain severity across multiple studies, with highly consistent results. Chamomile has been used for centuries to treat inflammatory skin and mucosal conditions, and the mechanism is now well understood: apigenin blocks the production of nitric oxide and prostaglandins, two chemical signals your body uses to trigger redness, swelling, and pain sensitivity.
For your scalp, this means chamomile can help with itchiness, redness, and irritation from conditions like contact dermatitis or general sensitivity. Other compounds in chamomile contribute to this calming effect. Alpha-bisabolol, the main component in chamomile essential oil, is a well-documented skin soother used in many commercial skincare products. Chamazulene, a blue compound that forms when chamomile is steam-distilled, also reduces inflammatory signaling. Together, these compounds make chamomile a reasonable option for people whose scalps react to harsh shampoos or environmental irritants.
Potential Benefits for Hair Growth
A clinical trial tested a proprietary herbal extract called DA-5512 (which contains chamomile alongside other botanicals) against both a placebo and 3% minoxidil, a standard hair-loss treatment. After 16 weeks, people using the 5% herbal extract saw a significant increase in hair density and shaft diameter compared to placebo. The herbal formula actually outperformed minoxidil at the 16-week mark for hair growth speed.
That said, this was a multi-ingredient formula, so it’s impossible to credit chamomile alone. No published clinical trial has isolated chamomile extract and measured its effect on human hair growth in a controlled setting. The anti-inflammatory properties could theoretically support a healthier scalp environment for hair to grow in, since chronic inflammation can damage follicles, but direct hair-growth claims for chamomile on its own remain unproven.
Shine, Softness, and Dandruff
One of the most immediately noticeable effects of a chamomile rinse is shinier hair. Apigenin and its related compounds coat the hair cuticle, the outermost layer of overlapping scales on each strand. When that cuticle lies flat and smooth, light reflects more evenly, giving hair a glossy appearance. This effect is cosmetic rather than structural: it doesn’t repair damage, but it does improve how your hair looks and feels right away.
Chamomile essential oil also has documented antibacterial and antifungal properties. Dandruff is commonly caused by an overgrowth of microbes on the scalp combined with excess oil production, and chamomile’s antimicrobial activity could help keep that microbial population in check. Research on chamomile shampoo formulations has confirmed that the extract retains its antifungal qualities when incorporated into a product. Whether this is potent enough to replace dedicated dandruff treatments is unclear, but as a gentle, complementary approach for mild flaking, it’s a reasonable choice.
How to Make a Chamomile Hair Rinse
The simplest method uses just two chamomile tea bags steeped in two cups of boiling water for about 10 minutes. Let the tea cool to room temperature. After shampooing and conditioning as usual, pour the rinse slowly over your hair, working it through from roots to ends. Don’t rinse it out. Let your hair dry naturally, ideally in sunlight if you’re hoping for a lightening effect.
For a stronger concentration, use loose dried chamomile flowers instead of tea bags (about three tablespoons per two cups of water) and steep for 15 to 20 minutes. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice to boost the lightening action, since the acidity helps lift the cuticle and allows pigment to deposit more effectively. Store any leftover rinse in the fridge for up to three days. Most people apply the rinse two to three times per week and notice color or shine changes after several weeks of consistent use.
Who Should Be Cautious
Chamomile is considered safe for topical use in both adults and children over the short term, according to the National Institutes of Health. Side effects from skin application are uncommon. The main concern is allergic reactions: chamomile belongs to the same plant family as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and daisies. If you’re allergic to any of those, you’re more likely to react to chamomile, and in rare cases the reaction can be severe. A simple patch test on your inner arm before applying a rinse to your entire scalp is a good precaution. Also avoid getting the rinse directly in your eyes, as chamomile can cause irritation to the eye area.