Chamomile
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Chamomile (American English) or camomile (British English; see spelling differences) (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell or Template:Respell<ref>Template:Citation</ref><ref name="Dictionary">Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref>) is the common name for several Template:Nowrap plants of the family Asteraceae. Two of the species, Matricaria chamomilla and Chamaemelum nobile, are commonly used to make herbal infusions for beverages.<ref name="nccih">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Medline">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="drugs">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Chamomile is used as a flavoring in foods, beverages, and cosmetics, in herbal teas, in brewing beer, and as a ground cover or seating plant in gardens.
There is no clinical evidence supporting the effectiveness of consuming chamomile to treat any diseases. Chamomile may interact adversely with various herbs and drugs, worsen pollen allergies, and is not recommended for people with hormone-sensitive conditions or when combined with anticoagulants. Because Roman chamomile may cause uterine contractions, it should not be used during pregnancy, and its safety during breastfeeding is unknown.
Chamomile is highly susceptible to numerous fungi, viruses, and insects, which collectively pose significant threats to its cultivation. Chamomile appears in literature, music, and symbolism—as a soothing remedy in The Tale of Peter Rabbitt, the title of The Camomile Lawn, a lyric in No Doubt’s “Hey Baby,” a metaphor in Shakespeare, and as Russia’s national flower.
EtymologyEdit
The word chamomile is derived via French and Latin, from the Greek Template:Langx, from Template:Langx, and Template:Langx.<ref>Template:LSJ</ref><ref name="oed">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> First used in the 13th century, the spelling chamomile corresponds to the Latin {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} and the Greek Template:Transliteration.<ref name=oed /> The spelling camomile is a British derivation from the French.<ref name=oed />
SpeciesEdit
Some commonly used species include:
- Matricaria chamomilla – often called "German chamomile" or "Water of Youth"<ref name="Europe">Template:Cite journal</ref>
- Chamaemelum nobile – Roman, English, or garden chamomile; also frequently used (C. nobile Treneague is normally used to create a chamomile lawn)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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A number of other species' common names include the word chamomile. This does not necessarily 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
- Oncosiphon pilulifer – globe chamomile
- Tripleurospermum inodorum – wild, scentless or false chamomile
UsesEdit
Chamomile may be used as a flavouring agent in foods and beverages, mouthwash, soaps, and cosmetics.<ref name="drugs" /> Chamomile tea is a herbal infusion made from dried flowers and hot water, and may improve sleep quality.<ref name="nccih" />Template:Failed verification Two types of chamomile are used, namely German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile).<ref name="nccih" /> Chamomile has historically been used as one of the flavouring ingredients in beer,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and is sometimes used by modern brewers.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Usually the whole plant is used, adding a bitter flavour component.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Chamomile, chiefly Chamaemelum nobile cultivars, is used to "upholster" chamomile seats, raised beds which are about half a meter tall, and designed to be sat upon.<ref>The Sensory Garden, Buckfast Abbey (image)</ref> Chamomile lawns are also used in sunny areas with light traffic.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
ResearchEdit
There is no clinical evidence that chamomile is effective for treating any diseases.<ref name=drugs/> Chamomile is under preliminary research for its potential anti-anxiety properties.<ref name="Europe" /> There is no good evidence that it is useful for treating insomnia.<ref name="Leach">Template:Cite journal</ref>
PhytochemicalsEdit
The main compounds in chamomile flowers are coumarins, flavonoids, and polyphenols,<ref name="Europe" /> including apigenin, quercetin, patuletin, luteolin, and daphnin.<ref name="mckay">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Drug interactionsEdit
The use of chamomile has the potential to cause adverse interactions with numerous herbal products and prescription drugs and may worsen pollen allergies.<ref name=drugs /> People who are allergic to ragweed (also in the daisy family) may be allergic to chamomile due to cross-reactivity.<ref name=nccih />
Chamomile consists of several ingredients including coumarin, glycoside, herniarin, flavonoid, farnesol, nerolidol and germacranolide. Despite the presence of coumarin, as chamomile's effect on the coagulation system has not yet been studied, it is unknown whether a clinically significant drug–herb interaction exists with anticoagulant drugs.<ref name=drugs /> However, until more information is available, it is not recommended to use these substances concurrently.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Chamomile should not be used by people with past or present cancers of the breast, ovary, or uterus; endometriosis; or uterine fibroids.<ref name=drugs />
Pregnancy and breastfeedingEdit
Because chamomile has been known to cause uterine contractions that can invoke miscarriage, pregnant women are advised to not consume Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile).<ref name=Medline /> Although oral consumption of chamomile is generally recognized as safe in the United States, there is insufficient clinical evidence about its potential for affecting nursing infants.<ref name=drugs />
AgricultureEdit
The chamomile plant is known to be susceptible to many fungi, insects, and viruses. The following fungi are known to attack this plant: Albugo tragopogonis (white rust), Cylindrosporium matricariae, Erysiphe cichoracearum (powdery mildew), E. polyphage, Halicobasidium purpureum, Peronospora leptosperma, Peronospora radii, Phytophthora cactorum, Puccinia anthemedis, Puccinia matricaiae, Septoria chamomillae, and Sphaerotheca macularis (powdery mildew). Also, yellow virus (Chlorogenus callistephi var. californicus Holmes, Callistephus virus 1A) causes severe damage to this plant. <ref name=":0">Template:Cite journal</ref>Aphids (Aphis fabae) have been observed feeding on chamomile plants and the moth Autographa chryson causes defoliation.The insect Nysius minor caused shedding of M. chamomilla flowers,<ref name=":0" />
Historical descriptionsEdit
Nicholas Culpeper's 17th century The Complete Herbal has an illustration and several entries on chamomel.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In cultureEdit
- In The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter (1902), Peter's mother gives him chamomile tea to cure his stomach ache.<ref name=Castleman>Michael Castleman Template:Google books</ref>
- Mary Wesley's 1984 novel The Camomile Lawn features a house in Cornwall with a lawn planted with chamomile rather than grass.
- In the 2001 No Doubt song "Hey Baby", chamomile is featured in the line "I'm just sippin' on chamomile", sung by Gwen Stefani.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
- Chamomile is the national flower of Russia.<ref name="Minahan">James Minahan. The complete guide to national symbols and emblems, Vol. 1. Greenwood Press. 2009.</ref>
- In Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 1, Falstaff proclaims “…the camomile grows faster the more it is trodden on“.