Medical Attributes of Matricaria chamomilla - Chamomile

by Tim Hoffman and Krista Rebar
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA

July, 2013
Matricaria chamomilla L., commonly referred to as chamomile, is a medicinal herb that belongs to the Asteraceae (aster family). The species grows in a wide range of climates and soils (Razmjoo, 1998).  Chamomile is an annual plant that grows to a height of 10-80 cm. with thin, spindle shaped roots and an erect, heavily branched stem. The leaves can be bi-pinnate or tri-pinnate (Singh, 2011). Its flower head, approximately one inch in diameter, has a daisy-like bloom; they have an outer fringe of white ray-florets and a yellow centre (Zanoli et. al 2000). The fruit is yellowish brown.

Chamomile is native to southern and eastern Europe (Singh, 2011). It is also grown in Germany, Hungary, France Russia, Brazil and Yugoslavia. It was later introduced to India, North and South America, Australia and New Zealand.   

The use of chamomile dates back to ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome (Singh, 2011), and its name comes from two Greek words meaning, “ground apple” for its apple-like smell. According to the writings of several 16th and 17th century physicians, it was used to treat fevers and sunstroke (Kato, 2008) and as early as the 6th century to treat insomnia, back pain, neuralgia, rheumatism, skin conditions, indigestion, flatulence, headaches and gout (Razmjoo, 2008). The plant has also been used to treat many inflammatory conditions.  Inflammation is the cause of many gastro-intestinal complaints; therefore chamomile acts to sooth the smooth muscles lining the digestive tract.

The foliage contains the essential oils of which over 120 chemical constituents have been identified such as terpenoids, flavonoids, and coumarins (Gardiner, 1998).  Hungary is the main producer of the plant in bulk, but flowers are exported to Germany for distillation of the oil (Singh, 2011).  It is one of the most widely used and well-documented medicinal plants in the world (Gardiner, 1998).

The terpenoid chamazulene has been reported to affect the levels of protein regulation in both humans and animals at the transcription level (Mckay, 2006). In vivo studies show that bisabolol, one of the more abundant components of the essential oil, has a spasmolytic effect on intestinal smooth muscle, which aids in digestive and urinary tract disturbances. Although it is not unique to the taxon, it is found in higher concentrations when compared to other similar plants (Mckay, 2006).  Both the chamazulene and bisabolol have all been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antipyretic, and antifungal properties (Long-Ze, 2012).

Both in vitro and in vivo studies of chamomile extracts have shown a considerable amount of efficacy to treat a wide variety of disorders. Jarrahi (2008) found that treatment of cutaneous burn wounds in albino rats, with application twice a day, showed statistically significant acceleration of healing from the standard treatment (p<0.05). Additionally, in vitro studies of the 28 terpenoids and 36 flavonoids (Srivastava 2010) identified in dried up flowers of chamomile extracts resulted in the quenching of the reactive oxygen species in diseases such as neurodegenerative disorder, viral infections, and autoimmune pathologies.  The representation of anti-ulcer activity was also apparent in the histological studies (Repetto, 2002).  These results have further solidified Matricaria chamomilla as having moderate antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiplatelet activity in vitro (McKay, 2006).

Dried flowers of M. chamomilla can produce sedative, anxiolytic, and spasmolytic effects (Zanoli, 2000).  Clinically speaking, Matricaria chamomilla produces modest anxiolytic activity in patients with mild to moderate general anxiety disorder [GAD] (Soeller, 2009).  An experiment using chamomile extract therapy on 57 patients with GAD showed a significantly greater reduction in mean total Hamilton Anxiety rating during extract treatment [29 patients] versus placebo therapy [28 patients] over an 8 week period (Soeller, 2009).  Additionally, a clinical study on the efficiency of chamomile in menopausal symptoms was done for a group of 55 postmenopausal women (Rotem, 2003).  The number of hot-flushes, sleep disturbances, and fatigue went down considerably in the experimental group versus the placebo group  (90%-96% vs. 15%-25% respectively), which can thus be traced back to the chamomile treatment (Rotem, 2003).  These particular studies have not been identically replicated elsewhere, but the chemical constituent effects of chamomile have been explored similarly in other projects.

Chamomile can produce several adverse reactions when taken topically.  Instances of infant botulism have been traced to higher counts of Clostridium botulinum spores in unwrapped chamomile than in tea bags of chamomile.  Thus chamomile can be a potential vehicle for such spores (Luquez, 2008).  A separate study showed that hay fever patients with conjunctivitis given chamomile tea potentiated lid angioedema (Subiza 2003).  Thus, the potentiation of allergic conjunctivitis is traced to chamomile tea.  Additionally, since chamomile is thought to be a coumarin constituent, there is a theoretical risk for the potentiation of warfarin and any other blood thinner effects (Segal 2006).  Other drawbacks to consuming chamomile or using it topically include drowsiness, due to its sedative effect (Zanoli 2000).

Chamomile is by far one of the most important medicinal plants used throughout the world and is commonly used for the treatment of human ailments (Solouki, 2008; Srivastava, 2010).  The dried flowers of chamomile containing various terpenoids and flavonoids, which contribute heavily to its medicinal properties such as treating hay fever, inflammation, muscle spasms, menstrual disorders, ulcers, wounds, and rheumatic pain (Srivastava, 2010).  Drawbacks to consuming chamomile or using it topically include drowsiness, due to its sedative effect (Zanoli 2000), allergic conjunctivitis, due to the use as eyewash (Subiza, 2003), and potentially infant botulism if proper precautions are not taken (Luquez 2008).  Overall, the medicinal use of Matricaria chamomilla can best be described as a botanical remedy that generally has a positive effect on the user, but has shown instances of adverse reactions.

LITERATURE CITED

Bhaskaran, N., S. Shukla, J. Srivastava, & J. Guptka. 2010. Chamomile, an anti-inflammatory agent. NIH Public Access. 26(6):935-940.

Gardiner, P. 1998. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita, Anthemis nobilis). The Long Herbal Task Force. (10):356-382.

Jarrahi, M. 2008. An experimental study of the effects of Matricaria chamomilla extract on cutaneous burn wound healing in albino rats. Natural Product Research. 22(5):422-427.

Kato, A., Y. Minoshima, J. Yamamoto, et. al. 2008. Protective effects of dietary chamomile tea on diabetic complications. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. (17):8206–8211.

Long-Ze, L. & J. Harnly. 2012. Identification of the phenolic components of three Compositae spices: Chamomile, tarragon, and Mexican arnica. NIH Public Access. 7(6):749-752.

Luquez, C., R.A. Fernandez, L.I.T. de Jong, & M.I. Bianco. 2008. Presence of Clostridium botulinum spores in Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) and its relationship with infant botulism. International Journal of Food Microbiology. 121(3):357-360.

McKay, D. & J.B. Blumberg. 2006. A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of chamomile tea (Matricaria recutita L.). Phytotherapy Research. 20(7):519-530.

Perrucci, S., S. Pampiglione, I. Morelli, F. Macchioni, P.L. Cioni, & F. Cecchi. 2004. Acaricidal activity of aqueous extracts of chamomile flowers, Matricaria chamomilla, against the mite Psoroptes cuniculi. Medical and Veterinary Entomology. 18(2):205-207.

Razmjoo, K., P. Heydarizadeh, & R. Sabzalian. 1998. Effect of salinity and drought stresses on growth paramaters and essential oil content of Matricaria chamomila. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology. 1560-8530.

Repetto, M.G. & S.F. Llesuy. 2002. Antioxidant properties of natural compounds used in popular medicine for gastric ulcers. Braz J. Med Biol Res. 35(5):523-534.

Rotem, C., C. Kupfersztain, B. Kaplan, & R. Fagot. 2003. The immediate effect of natural plant extract, Angelica sinensis and Matricaria chamomilla (Climex) for the treatment of hot flushes during menopause. Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology. 30(4):203-206.

Segal, R. & L. Pilote. 2006. Warfarin interaction with Matricaria chamomilla. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 174(9):1281-1282.

Simsek, N., M. Konuk, S. Kaga, M. Cemek, & M. Buyukokuroglu. 2008. Antihyperglycemic and antioxidative potential of Matricaria chamomilla L. in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Journal of Natural Medicines. 62(3):284-293.

Singh, O., Z. Khanam, N. Misara, & M.K. Srivastava. 2011. Chamomille (Matricaria chamomilla L.): An overview. Pharmacognosy Review. 5(9):82-95.

Soeller, I, J. Shults, K. Rockwell, J.J. Mao, Y. Li, & J. Amsterdam. 2009. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (Chamomile) extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 29(4):378-382.

Solouki, M., H. Mehdikhani, & H. Zeinali. 2008. Study of genetic diversity in chamomile (Matricaria chamomila) based on morphological traits and molecular markers. Scientia Horticulturae. (3):281-287.

Srivastava, J.K., E. Shankar, & S. Gupta. 2010. Chamomile: An herbal medicine of the past with bright future. Mol Med Report. 3(6):895-901.

Subiza, J., M. Alonso, M. Hinojosa, et. al. 2003. Allergic conjunctivitis to chamomile tea. Ann Allergy. 65(2):127-32.

Tavakoli, F., M.H. Nouri, A. Gharjanie, & A. Abad. 2011. Effect of Matricaria chamomilla hydroalcoholic extract on cisplatin-induced neuropathy in mice. Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines. 9(2):126-131.

Vrentzos, G.E., J.A. Papadakis, E.E. Mazokopakis, E.S. Ganotakis, & D.E. Babalis. 2005. Wild chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) mouthwashes in methotrexate-induced oral mucositis. Phytomedicine. 12(1-2):25-27.

Zanoli, P., P. Schreier, G. Puia, M. Kleinschnitz, M. Baraldi, & R. Avallone. 2000. Pharmacological profile of apigenin, a flavonoid isolated from Matricaria chamomilla. Biochemical Pharmacology. 59(11):1387-1394

This paper was developed as part of the BIO 368 - Medical Botany course offered at Wilkes University during the summer of 2013. Course instructor was Kenneth M. Klemow, Ph.D. (kenneth.klemow@wilkes.edu). The information contained herein is based on published sources, and is made available for academic purposes only. No warrantees, expressed or implied, are made about the medical usefulness or dangers associated with the plant species in question.

Return to Plant Summaries page

This page posted and maintained by Kenneth M. Klemow, Ph.D., Biology Department, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766. (570) 408-4758, kklemow@wilkes.edu.