| Botanical Nomenclature |
Matricaria chamomilla |
| Common Name |
Chamomile |
| Taxonomy- Family |
Compositae or Asteraceae |
| Distinguishing Features of the Plant |
Matricaria chamomilla is an annual, low plant growing from 10 up to 60cm, with long, narrow, pinnate leaves, small nuts and small flowers with smooth, white petals and yellow disc florets. Blooming and harvesting take place from May to September. |
| Region Found |
Ioannina (Pindos, Gramos, Smolikas) |
| Part of the Plant with Active Substances |
Inflorescences |
| Active Substances |
Essential oil, chamazouline, coumarin, valeric acid, tannins, cyanogenic glycosides, paloustrine, quercetin, apigenin (flavonoids), Salicylates |
| Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications |
The whole plant has anti-inflammatory, healing, soothing and bacteriostatic properties. It is recommended for the treatment of dermatitis, eczema, conjunctivitis and epidermolysis bullosa (EB). Nowadays, the plant's extract is used mainly as a component in cosmetics and hair shampoos, and as a mild sedative for the relief of insomnia and stress. |
| Method of Administration |
The plant is administered on eyes and against insomnia in the form of tincture (1: 5 parts of dried herb in ethyl alcohol 70%, 2-3 drops, 3-4 times a day), herbal tea (a spoon of dried herb in 150ml of boiled water, as body cleanser) and powder (3-4g of dried herb in 150g of water). It is also administered in the form of ointment, poultice, massage oil, shampoo and lotion against skin eczema. |
| Toxicity- Adverse Effects |
Symptoms, such as tightness in the throat, swelling of lips, throat and eyes and itching could indicate an allergic reaction. The herb may also interact with coumarin anticoagulants in the inhibition of vitamin K, because it contains coumarin. |
| References |
1) Bιβλίο: Τα φαρμακευτικά βότανα και οι θεραπευτικές τους ιδιότητες, Λάμπρου Π. Σπύρου, Αγροτικός εκδοτικός οίκος, Αθήνα 1981, Β' τόμος, σελίδες: 556-558 2) Βιβλίο: Οδηγός των φαρμακευτικών φυτών, Paul Schauenberg, Ferdinand Paris, Εκδότης Μ. Γκιούρδας, Αθήνα 1981, σελίδες 303-304, 3) http://health-from-nature.net/Chamomile.html 4)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3210003/ 5)http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/german-chamomile 6)http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/c/chammo49.htm |
 Matricaria chamomilla/1) Matricaria chamomilla.jpg "Matricaria chamomilla, Compositae or Asteraceae, Essential oil, chamazouline, coumarin, valeric acid, tannins, cyanogenic glycosides, paloustrine, quercetin, apigenin (flavonoids), Salicylates")
 Matricaria chamomilla/2) Matricaria chamomilla.jpg "Matricaria chamomilla, Compositae or Asteraceae, Essential oil, chamazouline, coumarin, valeric acid, tannins, cyanogenic glycosides, paloustrine, quercetin, apigenin (flavonoids), Salicylates")
 Matricaria chamomilla/3) Matricaria chamomilla.jpg "Matricaria chamomilla, Compositae or Asteraceae, Essential oil, chamazouline, coumarin, valeric acid, tannins, cyanogenic glycosides, paloustrine, quercetin, apigenin (flavonoids), Salicylates")
 Matricaria chamomilla/4) Matricaria chamomilla.jpg "Matricaria chamomilla, Compositae or Asteraceae, Essential oil, chamazouline, coumarin, valeric acid, tannins, cyanogenic glycosides, paloustrine, quercetin, apigenin (flavonoids), Salicylates")
 Matricaria chamomilla/5) Matricaria chamomilla.jpg "Matricaria chamomilla, Compositae or Asteraceae, Essential oil, chamazouline, coumarin, valeric acid, tannins, cyanogenic glycosides, paloustrine, quercetin, apigenin (flavonoids), Salicylates")
 Matricaria chamomilla/6) Matricaria chamomilla.jpg "Matricaria chamomilla, Compositae or Asteraceae, Essential oil, chamazouline, coumarin, valeric acid, tannins, cyanogenic glycosides, paloustrine, quercetin, apigenin (flavonoids), Salicylates")
 Matricaria chamomilla/7) Matricaria chamomilla.jpg "Matricaria chamomilla, Compositae or Asteraceae, Essential oil, chamazouline, coumarin, valeric acid, tannins, cyanogenic glycosides, paloustrine, quercetin, apigenin (flavonoids), Salicylates")
 Matricaria chamomilla/8 ) Matricaria chamomilla.jpg "Matricaria chamomilla, Compositae or Asteraceae, Essential oil, chamazouline, coumarin, valeric acid, tannins, cyanogenic glycosides, paloustrine, quercetin, apigenin (flavonoids), Salicylates")