Are Chamomile German and Milk Thistle in the same botanical family?

Yes — both belong to Asteraceae.

Can you substitute Chamomile German for Milk Thistle?

They share the Asteraceae family, so they can sometimes substitute in recipes — with notable differences in aroma.

Compare · per-herb profile

Chamomile German vs Milk Thistle

Matricaria chamomilla · Silybum marianum

Chamomile German

Matricaria chamomilla

B Some Evidence

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Matricaria
Primary use: medicinal

Matricaria chamomilla, commonly known as chamomile, German chamomile, Hungarian chamomile (kamilla), wild chamomile, blue chamomile, or scented mayweed, is an annual plant of the composite family Asteraceae. Commonly, the name M. recutita is applied to the herbal product chamomil…

Milk Thistle

Silybum marianum

B Some Evidence

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Silybum
Primary use: medicinal

Silybum marianum is a species of thistle. It has various common names including milk thistle, blessed milkthistle, Marian thistle, Mary thistle, Saint Mary's thistle, Mediterranean milk thistle, variegated thistle and Scotch thistle. This species is an annual or biennial plant of…

At a glance

· Both in Asteraceae, but different genera (Matricaria vs Silybum).
· Both are primarily medicinal.
· Evidence tiers — Chamomile German: B; Milk Thistle: B.