Chamomile (American English) or camomile (British English; see spelling differences) (/ˈkæməˌmaɪl, -ˌmiːl/ KAM-ə-myl or KAM-ə-meel^[1][2]) is the common name for several daisy-like plants of the family Asteraceae. Two of the species are commonly used to make herb infusions thought to serve various medicinal purposes. Popular uses of chamomile preparations include treating hay fever, inflammation, muscle spasms, menstrual disorders, insomnia, ulcers, gastrointestinal disorders, and hemorrhoids.^[3] Chamomile is also thought to treat skin conditions such as eczema, chickenpox, and psoriasis.^[4]

The word "chamomile" derives, via French and Latin, from Greek χαμαίμηλον (khamaimēlon), i.e. "earth apple", from χαμαί (khamai) "on the ground" and μῆλον (mēlon) "apple".^[5][6] The more common British spelling "camomile," is the older one in English, while the spelling "chamomile" corresponds to the Latin and Greek source.^[7] The spelling camomile is a derivation from the French.^[8]

Some commonly used species include:

• Matricaria chamomilla (also known as Water of Youth'),^[9] German chamomile^[10] or wild chamomile, the most commonly used species
• Chamaemelum nobile, Roman, English or garden chamomile, also frequently used,^[10] (C. nobile ‘Treneague’ is normally used to create a chamomile lawn).^[11]

A number of other species' common names include the word "chamomile". This does not mean they are used in the same manner as the species used in the herbal tea known as "chamomile." Plants including the common name "chamomile," of the family Asteraceae, are:

• Anthemis arvensis, corn, scentless or field chamomile
• Anthemis cotula, stinking chamomile
• Cladanthus mixtus, Moroccan chamomile
• Cota tinctoria, dyer's, golden, oxeye, or yellow chamomile
• Eriocephalus punctulatus, Cape chamomile
• Matricaria discoidea, wild chamomile or pineapple weed
• Tripleurospermum inodorum, wild, scentless or false chamomile

Chamomile tea is an herbal infusion made from dried chamomile flowers and hot water. Two types of chamomile used: German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). One recipe calls for 2 to 3 heaped teaspoons of the flowers, steeped for 10-20 minutes and then strained.^[12]

In The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter (in 1902), she refers to chamomile tea given to Peter after being chased by Mr McGregor.^[12] In Norway, the tea is used to treat the common cold.^[13]

There is level B evidence that German chamomile possesses anti-anxiety properties and could be used to treat stress and insomnia.^[9] Chamomile tea is said to be a digestive relaxant.^[14]

Major chemical compounds present within chamomile include apigenin and alpha-bisabolol.^[3][9] Other compounds in chamomile include: sesquiterpenes, terpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins such as herniarin and umbelliferone, phenylpropanoids such as chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid, flavones such as apigenin and luteolin, flavanols such as quercetin and rutin, and polyacetylenes.^[3][15] Alpha-bisabolol has been shown to have antiseptic properties and anti-inflammatory properties.^[15]

Chemical components of chamomile extract have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antihyperglycemic when examined in test tubes and in animal studies.^[3][16][17]

Antispasmodic/antidiarrheal effects – In human studies, chamomile tea in combination with other herbs (vervain, licorice, fennel, balm mint) was shown to be effective in treating colic in children.^[3][18]

CNS/sensory effects - Chemical compounds present within chamomile bind to GABA receptors, modulate monoamine neurotransmission, and have neuroendocrine effects.^[9]

German Chamomile has been used for treatment of inflammation associated with hemorrhoids when topically applied.^[15]

Apigenin and other compounds may interact with medications causing drug-drug interactions, some of the possible interactions include those with antiplatelet agents, anticoagulant agents, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents.^[19] Apigenin was found to interact with antiarrhythmic agents and antihypertensive agents in animal research. Other interactions include those against sedative agents, antibiotic agents, and antianxiety agents.^{[citation needed]}

While chamomile exhibits some anti-inflammatory effects by itself, it is not recommended that it be taken concurrently with Aspirin or non-salicylate NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) as it is unknown if a clinically significant herb-drug interaction exists.

"Chamomile consists of several ingredients including coumarin, glycoside, heniarin, flavonoid, farnesol, nerolidol and germacranolide. Despite the presence of coumarin, as chamomiles effect on the coagulation system has not yet been studied, it is unknown if a clinically significant drug-herb interaction exists with antiplatelet/anticoagulant drugs. However, until more information is available, it is not recommended to use these substances concurrently."^[20]

People who are allergic to ragweed (also in the daisy family) may also be allergic to chamomile, due to cross-reactivity.^[16][21] However, there is still some debate as to whether people with reported allergies to chamomile were actually exposed to chamomile and not a plant of similar appearance.^[3][10]

Because chamomile has been known to cause uterine contractions that can invoke miscarriage, the U.S. National Institutes of Health recommends that pregnant and nursing mothers not consume Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile).^[22]

Chamomile is frequently added to skin cosmetics to serve as an emollient, and for its purported anti-inflammatory effects.^[16]

The chamomile plant is known to be susceptible to many fungi, insects, and viruses. Fungi such as Albugo tragopogonis (white rust), Cylindrosporium matricariae, Erysiphe cichoracearum (powdery mildew), and Sphaerotheca macularis (powdery mildew) are known pathogens of the chamomile plant.^[15] Aphids have been observed feeding on chamomile plants and the moth Autographa chryson causes defoliation.^[15]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Matricaria recutita.

• Chamomile (Matricaria recutita, Chamaemelum nobile) medical and therapeutic information on MedlinePlus
• Chamomile fact sheet, NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
• Roman chamomile, the National Cancer Institute
• PLANTS Profile: Anthemis tinctoria L. (golden chamomile), USDA
• Texts on Wikisource:
  • "Chamomile". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911.
  • "Chamomile". Encyclopedia Americana. 1920.