Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rausch.; C. officinalis K.Koch; M. recutita L.; and others Asteraceae (Compositae) Blue chamomile; hungarian chamomile; matricaria; sweet false chamomile; wild chamomile Matricariae Flos Flowerhead, flowering top M. chamomilla produces an essential oil (0.4–1.5%) which is very variable in content depending on the chemotype and origin. It has an intense blue colour due to its chamazulene content. The major active constituents are considered to be α-bisabolol and its oxides, with farnesene, azulene and spiroethers. Flavonoid glycosides including apigenin, quercetin, patuletin, luteolin and their glucosides constitute up to 8% (dry weight) together with sesquiterpene lactones and coumarins (Mckay and Blumberg 2006; Tschiggerl and Bucar 2012; Tisserand and Young 2014). There is plenty of supporting pharmacological evidence, but few good clinical studies for the use of chamomile (McKay and Blumberg 2006). Even though the evidence based on clinical studies is somewhat limited, for some of the key indications, especially for the management of gastrointestinal complaints and for a range of inflammatory conditions, use of chamomile is well-established based on medical experience. A recent exploratory study suggested that a standardised extract may be useful in depression induced by anxiety (Amsterdam et al. 2012) and a previous study showed modest effects in generalised anxiety disorder (Amsterdam et al. 2009).
Chamomile, German
Matricaria chamomilla L.
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