Matricaria chamomilla

Matricaria chamomilla
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Antophyta
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Tribe: Anthemideae
Genus: Matricaria
Species: M. chamomilla
Binomial name
Matricaria chamomilla
L.
Synonyms

Chamomilla chamomilla (L.) Rydb.
Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert
Matricaria recutita L.
Matricaria suaveolens L.
Sources: NRCS,[1] ITIS[2]

Matricaria chamomilla (synonym: Matricaria recutita), commonly known as chamomile (also spelled camomile), Italian camomilla, German chamomile,[3] Hungarian chamomile (kamilla), wild chamomile or scented mayweed,[4][5] is an annual plant of the composite family Asteraceae. M. chamomilla is the most popular source of the herbal product chamomile, although other species are also used as chamomile.[3]

Etymology

The word chamomile comes from the Greek χαμαίμηλον (chamaimēlon) meaning "earth-apple",[6] which is derived from χαμαί (chamai) meaning "on the ground"[7] and μήλον (mēlon) meaning "apple".[8] It is so called because of the apple-like scent of the plant.

Chamomile blue refers to chamazulene, the purified, deep-blue essential oil derived using steam distillation, rather than the plant itself.

Description

M. chamomilla has a branched, erect and smooth stem, which grows to a height of 15–60 cm (6-24inches). The long and narrow leaves are bipinnate or tripinnate.

Flowers of M. chamomilla:
A. Yellow disc florets
B. White ray florets

The flowers are borne in paniculate flower heads (capitula). The white ray florets are furnished with a ligule, while the disc florets are yellow. The hollow receptacle is swollen and lacks scales. This property distinguishes German chamomile from corn chamomile (Anthemis arvensis), which has a receptacle with scales. The flowers bloom in early to midsummer, and have a strong, aromatic smell.

Distribution

M. chamomilla can be found near populated areas all over Europe and temperate Asia, and it has been widely introduced in temperate North America and Australia. It often grows near roads, around landfills, and in cultivated fields as a weed, because the seeds require open soil to survive.

Uses

Chamomile
Main article: Chamomile

Herbalism

Matricariae flos: Dried M. chamomilla flower as commonly used in herbal tea
German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) essential oil in clear glass vial

German chamomile is used in herbal medicine for a sore stomach, irritable bowel syndrome, and as a gentle sleep aid.[9] It is also used as a mild laxative and is anti-inflammatory[10] and bactericidal.[11] It can be taken as an herbal tea, two teaspoons of dried flower per cup of tea, which should be steeped for 10 to 15 minutes while covered to avoid evaporation of the volatile oils. The marc should be pressed because of the formation of a new active principle inside the cells, which can then be released by rupturing the cell walls, though this substance only forms very close to boiling point. For a sore stomach, some recommend taking a cup every morning without food for two to three months.[12] It has been studied as a mouthwash against oral mucositis[13]and may have acaricidal properties against certain mites, such as Psoroptes cuniculi.

One of the active ingredients of its essential oil is the terpene bisabolol.[14] Other active ingredients include farnesene, chamazulene, flavonoids (including apigenin, quercetin, patuletin and luteolin) and coumarin.[14]

Dried chamomile has a reputation (among herbalists) for being incorrectly prepared because it is dried at a temperature above the boiling point of the volatile components of the plant.

Potential pharmacology

A 2006 review of the medical literature reported a number of beneficial effects for chamomile in in vitro and animal tests, but added more human clinical trials are needed before any firm conclusions can be drawn. Research with animals suggests antispasmodic, anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory and some antimutagenic and cholesterol-lowering effects for chamomile.[15] Chamomile has sped healing time of wounds in animals.[16][17] It also showed some benefit in an animal model of diabetes.[18] In vitro chamomile has demonstrated moderate antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and significant antiplatelet activity, as well as preliminary results against cancer.[14][19] Essential oil of chamomile was shown to be a potential antiviral agent against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in vitro.[20] The Chamomile oil is also evaluated for its efficacy against enuresis through the anticholinergic activity.[21] Potential risks include interference with warfarin and infant botulism in very young children.[22][23]

The methanol extract of M. recutita showed potent antiallergic activity by inhibition of histamine release from mast cells in cell-mediated allergic models.[24]

A recent prospective clinical study found twice-a-day chamomile compresses were as effective as hydrocortisone 1% ointment on peristomal skin lesions in colostomy patients.[25]

In 2009, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania concluded the first controlled clinical trial of chamomile extract for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The results suggest chamomile may have modest anxiolytic activity in patients with mild to moderate GAD, although the results have not since been replicated.[26]

Possible side effects

Chamomile, a relative of ragweed, can cause allergy symptoms and can cross-react with ragweed pollen in individuals with ragweed allergies. It also contains coumarin, so care should be taken to avoid potential drug interactions, e.g. with blood thinners.

While extremely rare, very large doses of chamomile may cause nausea and vomiting. Even more rarely, rashes may occur.[27] A type-IV allergic reaction with severe anaphylaxis has been reported in a 38-year-old man who drank chamomile tea.[28]

Cultivation

Soil type: German chamomile will tolerate many soils, but prefers a sandy, well-drained soil with a pH of 7.0-7.5 and full sun.

Cultivation: In gardens, plants should be spaced 15–30 cm (6–12 in) apart. Chamomile does not require large amounts of fertilizer, but depending on soil tests, small amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium should be applied before planting.[29]

The amounts of major nutrients that German chamomile needs for growing and reproduction are:

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Matricaria chamomilla". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
  2. ↑ "Matricaria recutita". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 15 June 2008.
  3. 1 2 "German Chamomile". University of Maryland Medical Center. 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  4. ↑ Fitter R, Fitter A, Blamey M. 1989. The wild flowers of Britain and Northern Europe. Collins
  5. ↑ Stace C. 1991. The New Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press
  6. ↑ χαμαίμηλον, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus
  7. ↑ χαμαί, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus
  8. ↑ μήλον, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus
  9. ↑ "Chamomile (Matricaria Recutita)". herbwisdom.com. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  10. ↑ Bhaskaran, N; Shukla, S; Srivastava, JK; Gupta, S (Dec 2010). "Chamomile: an anti-inflammatory agent inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase expression by blocking RelA/p65 activity". Int J Mol Med 26 (6): 935–40.
  11. ↑ Tayel, AA; El-Tras, WF (2009). "Possibility of fighting food borne bacteria by egyptian folk medicinal herbs and spices extracts". J Egypt Public Health Assoc 84 (1-2): 21–32.
  12. ↑ "Chamomile". Planet Botanic. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
  13. ↑ "Healing action of topical chamomile on 5-fluoracil induced oral mucositis in hamster.". Support Care Cancer 19 (5): 639–646. Apr 28, 2010. doi:10.1007/s00520-010-0875-0. PMID 20424869.
  14. 1 2 3 McKay DL, Blumberg JB (2006). "A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of chamomile tea (Matricaria recutita L". Phytother Res 20 (7): 519–530. doi:10.1002/ptr.1900. PMID 16628544.
  15. ↑ Mckay, Diane L.; Blumberg, JB (July 2006). "A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of chamomile tea (Matricaria recutita L.)". Phytother Res. 20 (7): 519–30. doi:10.1002/ptr.1900. PMID 16628544.
  16. ↑ Jarrahi, Morteza (2008-03-20). "An experimental study of the effects of Matricaria chamomilla extract on cutaneous burn wound healing in albino rats". Nat Prod Res. 22 (5): 423–8. doi:10.1080/14786410701591713. PMID 18404562.
  17. ↑ Nayak, BS; Raju, SS; Rao, AV (July 2007). "Wound healing activity of Matricaria recutita L. extract". J Wound Care. 16 (7): 298–302. doi:10.12968/jowc.2007.16.7.27061. PMID 17708380.
  18. ↑ Cemek, M; Kağa, S; Simşek, N; Büyükokuroğlu, ME; Konuk, M (2008-02-13). "Antihyperglycemic and antioxidative potential of Matricaria chamomilla L. in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats". Nat Med (Tokyo). 62 (3): 284–93. doi:10.1007/s11418-008-0228-1. PMID 18404309.
  19. ↑ Janmejai K. Srivastava; Sanjay Gupta (2007-11-14). "Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of chamomile extract in various human cancer cells". J Agric Food Chem. 55 (23): 9470–8. doi:10.1021/jf071953k. PMID 17939735.
  20. ↑ Koch C, Reichling J, Schneele J, et al. (2008). "Inhibitory effect of essential oils against herpes simplex virus type 2". Phytomedicine 15 (1–2): 71–78. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2007.09.003. PMID 17976968.
  21. ↑ "Topical use of Matricaria recutita L (Chamomile) Oil in the Treatment of Monosymptomatic Enuresis in Children: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.". doi:10.1177/2156587215608989. PMID 26427789.
  22. ↑ Segal, R; Pilote, L (2006-04-25). "Warfarin interaction with Matricaria chamomilla". Canadian Medical Association Journal 174 (9): 1281–2. doi:10.1503/cmaj.051191. PMC 1435958. PMID 16636327.
  23. ↑ Bianco, M; Lúquez, C; De Jong, LI; Fernández, RA (2008-02-10). "Presence of Clostridium botulinum spores in Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) and its relationship with infant botulism". Int J Food Microbiol. 121 (3): 357–60. doi:10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2007.11.008. PMID 18068252.
  24. ↑ Chandrashekhar V.M., K.S. Halagali, R.B. Nidavani, M.H. Shalavadi, B.S. Biradar, D. Biswas, I.S. Muchchandi (2011). "Anti-allergic activity of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) in mast cell mediated allergy model". Journal of Ethnopharmacology 137 (1): 336–340. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.05.029.
  25. ↑ Charousaei F, Dabirian A, Mojab F. (2011). "Using chamomile solution or a 1% topical hydrocortisone ointment in the management of peristomal skin lesions in colostomy patients: results of a controlled clinical study". Ostomy Wound Manage 57 (5): 28–36. PMID 21617262.
  26. ↑ Amsterdam JD, Li Y, Soeller I, Rockwell K, Mao JJ, Shults J (2009-08-29). "A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder.". Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 29 (4): 378–82. doi:10.1097/JCP.0b013e3181ac935c. PMID 19593179.
  27. ↑ Readers' Digest Association
  28. ↑ Andres, C; Chen, WC; Ollert, M; et al. (2009). "Anaphylactic reaction to camomile tea". Allergol Int 58: 135–136. doi:10.2332/allergolint.c-08-63.
  29. ↑ http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/hort/herbs/chamom.htm

Further reading

External links

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