Matricaria chamomilla (synonym: Matricaria recutita), commonly known as chamomile (also spelled camomile), German chamomile,[2] Hungarian chamomile (kamilla), wild chamomile, blue chamomile, or scented mayweed,[3][4] is an annual plant of the composite family Asteraceae. Commonly, the name M. recutita is applied to the herbal product chamomile, although other species are also used as chamomile.[2] The plant is commonly used to make a tea.
| Matricaria chamomilla | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Matricaria |
| Species: | M. chamomilla
|
| Binomial name | |
| Matricaria chamomilla | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Chamomilla chamomilla (L.) Rydb. | |
Description
editMatricaria chamomilla is a member of the Asteraceae family, native to southern and eastern Europe. It can be found on all continents, has a branched, erect and smooth stem, and grows to a height of 15–60 cm (6–24 in).[5] The long and narrow leaves are bipinnate or tripinnate. 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 Anthemis arvensis (corn chamomile), which has a receptacle with scales. The flowers bloom in early to midsummer and are fragrant.[5]
The essential oil of the flowers gives them a characteristic smell and has interesting properties. The blue color of the oil, attributable to the chamazulene it contains, explains why the plant is also known by the common name blue chamomile. The fruit is a yellowish-brown achene.[5]
-
Stems and flowers
-
The yellow disc florets (A) and white ray florets (B)
-
Essential oil in glass vial
Etymology
editThe 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.
In Latin, one of the meanings of matrix is womb; the name Matricaria was given to the genus because Matricaria chamomilla was used in ancient herbalism to treat cramps and sleep disorders related to premenstrual syndrome.[citation needed]
Cultivation
editChamomile does not need special soil, although it grows best on well balanced soils with good topsoil.[9] It can be planted as an annual crop in either autumn or spring, or it can be treated as a perennial due to its ability to self-seed.[10][11]
Aphids are a major insect pest in chamomile production. Its most significant diseases in Europe are downy mildew, powdery mildew and rust.[9]
The chamomile plant often flowers 2 to 3 times per year.[9] This is taken into account by multiple harvests per year as well. The flowering period is about 50–65 days while the development of a flower takes about 20–25 days.[10]
Potential adverse effects
editChamomile, a relative of ragweed, can cause allergy symptoms and can cross-react with ragweed pollen in individuals with ragweed allergies.[2][12] Contact dermatitis may occur when touching the plant.[2] When consuming the tea, there is potential for drug interactions with anticoagulants.[2]
Uses
editChamomile is commonly used to make a tea.[2] German chamomile is used in herbal medicine.[2][12]
Phytochemistry
editThe flowers contain between 0.3 and 1.5% of the essential oil.[9] It is extracted by distillation, mostly out of fresh flower buds and flower stalks. Bisabolol accounts for up to 33% of the oil's content.[10]
More than 120 chemical constituents have been identified in chamomile flower, most of them found in the essential oil.[5][13] Chemical constituents of the essential oil include bisabolol, farnesene, chamazulene, apigenin, quercetin, patuletin, luteolin, and coumarin.[14]
See also
edit- Chamaemelum nobile (Roman chamomile)
- Matricin
References
edit- ^ "Matricaria chamomilla at ITIS". Retrieved 4 December 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Chamomile". National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, US National Institutes of Health. 1 May 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
- ^ Fitter R, Fitter A, Blamey M. 1989. The wild flowers of Britain and Northern Europe. Collins
- ^ Stace, Clive 1991. The New Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press
- ^ a b c d Singh, Ompal; Khanam, Zakia; Misra, Neelam; et al. (2011). "Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.): An overview". Pharmacognosy Reviews. 5 (9): 82–95. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.79103. ISSN 0973-7847. PMC 3210003. PMID 22096322.
- ^ χαμαίμηλον, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus
- ^ χαμαί, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus
- ^ μήλον, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus
- ^ a b c d Freistaat Thüringen (2014). "Anbautelegram Echte Kamille (Matricaria chamomilla L.)". Anbautelegram.
- ^ a b c Franke, R.; Hannig, H.-J. (2012). Hoppe, B. (ed.). Handbuch des Arnzei- und Gewürzpflanzenanbaus – Band 4 Arznei- und Gewürzpflanzen A-K. Verein für Arznei- und Gewürzpflanzen SALUPLANTA e.V. Bernburg. pp. 618–648. ISBN 978-3-935971-62-1.
- ^ "Heil- und Gewürzpflanzen. Anbau, Ernte und Aufbereitung". Österreichischer Argrarverlag. 1989.
- ^ a b "Roman chamomile". MedlinePlus, US National Institutes of Health. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
- ^ El Mihyaoui, Amina; Esteves da Silva, Joaquim C. G.; Charfi, Saoulajan; et al. (25 March 2022). "Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.): A Review of Ethnomedicinal Use, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Uses". Life. 12 (4): 479. Bibcode:2022Life...12..479E. doi:10.3390/life12040479. ISSN 2075-1729. PMC 9032859. PMID 35454969.
- ^ McKay DL, Blumberg JB (2006). "A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of chamomile tea (Matricaria recutita L.)". Phytotherapy Research. 20 (7): 519–530. doi:10.1002/ptr.1900. PMID 16628544. S2CID 21041569.