Matricaria chamomilla
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Matricaria chamomilla (synonym: Matricaria recutita), commonly known as chamomile (also spelled camomile), German chamomile,<ref name=nccih/> Hungarian chamomile (kamilla), wild chamomile, blue chamomile, or scented mayweed,<ref>Fitter R, Fitter A, Blamey M. 1989. The wild flowers of Britain and Northern Europe. Collins</ref><ref>Stace, Clive 1991. The New Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press</ref> 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.<ref name=nccih/> The plant is commonly used to make a tea.
M. chamomilla, historically used in various ancient cultures and commonly promoted today for a range of conditions, shows limited reliable evidence for effectiveness, may have mild side effects or drug interactions, and should be used with caution—especially around allergies, estrogen-sensitive conditions, and during pregnancy.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
DescriptionEdit
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Matricaria 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 Template:Convert.<ref name=":0" /> 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.<ref name=":0" />
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.<ref name=":0" />
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EtymologyEdit
The word chamomile comes from the Greek χαμαίμηλον (chamaimēlon) meaning "earth-apple",<ref>χαμαίμηλον, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus</ref> which is derived from χαμαί (chamai) meaning "on the ground"<ref>χαμαί, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus</ref> and μήλον (mēlon) meaning "apple".<ref>μήλον, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus</ref> 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.Template:Cn
CultivationEdit
Chamomile does not need special soil, although it grows best on well balanced soils with good topsoil.<ref name="Anbautelegram Echte Kamille">Template:Cite journal</ref> 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.<ref name="Franke R. 2012"> Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Aphids are a major insect pest in chamomile production. Its most significant diseases in Europe are downy mildew, powdery mildew and rust.<ref name="Anbautelegram Echte Kamille" />
The chamomile plant often flowers 2 to 3 times per year.<ref name="Anbautelegram Echte Kamille" /> 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.<ref name="Franke R. 2012" />
Potential adverse effectsEdit
It shows limited reliable evidence for effectiveness, may have mild side effects or drug interactions, and should be used with caution—especially around allergies, estrogen-sensitive conditions, and during pregnancy.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Chamomile, a relative of ragweed, can cause allergy symptoms and can cross-react with ragweed pollen in individuals with ragweed allergies.<ref name="nccih" /><ref name="Medline" /> Contact dermatitis may occur when touching the plant.<ref name="nccih" /> When consuming the tea, there is potential for drug interactions with anticoagulants.<ref name="nccih" />
UsesEdit
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Chamomile is commonly used to make a tea.<ref name=nccih/> German chamomile is used in herbal medicine.<ref name="nccih">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Medline">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
PhytochemistryEdit
The flowers contain between 0.3 and 1.5% of the essential oil.<ref name="Anbautelegram Echte Kamille"/> 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.<ref name="Franke R. 2012"/>
More than 120 chemical constituents have been identified in chamomile flower, most of them found in the essential oil.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Chemical constituents of the essential oil include bisabolol, farnesene, chamazulene, apigenin, quercetin, patuletin, luteolin, and coumarin.<ref name="McKay DL 2006">Template:Cite journal</ref>
See alsoEdit
- Chamaemelum nobile (Roman chamomile)
- Matricin