thumb|upright|[[German chamomile, Matricaria chamomilla]]

thumb|upright|[[Roman chamomile, Chamaemelum nobile]]

Chamomile (American English) or camomile (British English; see spelling differences) ( or ) is the common name for several plants of the family Asteraceae. Two of the species, Matricaria chamomilla and Chamaemelum nobile, are commonly used to make herbal infusions for beverages.<!--THIS CITED SOURCE DOES NOT SUPPORT THE PRECEDING STATEMENT: 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 disease. First used in the 13th century, the spelling chamomile corresponds to the Latin and the Greek .

  • Chamaemelum nobile – Roman, English, or garden chamomile; also frequently used (C.&nbsp;nobile Treneague is normally used to create a chamomile lawn)

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
  • Olea europaea - Manzanilla olive (Common chamomile, Chamomile Basta, Chamomile of Carmona, White Chamomile, and Camomile of Two Sisters)
  • Oncosiphon pilulifer – globe chamomile
  • Tripleurospermum inodorum – wild, scentless or false chamomile

Uses

thumb|Chamomile tea being served at the Savoy Hotel in London, England

Chamomile may be used as a flavoring agent in foods and beverages, mouthwash, soaps, and cosmetics. Chamomile has historically been used as one of the flavoring ingredients in beer, and is sometimes used by modern brewers. Usually the whole plant is used, adding a bitter flavor component.

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. Chamomile lawns are also used in sunny areas with light traffic.

Research

There is no clinical evidence that chamomile is effective for treating any diseases.

Phytochemicals

The main compounds in chamomile flowers are coumarins, flavonoids, and polyphenols,

Drug interactions

The use of chamomile has the potential to cause adverse interactions with numerous herbal products and prescription drugs and may worsen pollen allergies.

Chamomile should not be used by people with past or present cancers of the breast, ovary, or uterus; endometriosis; or uterine fibroids. 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.

References

Further reading

<!--Please add entries in inverse chronological order by date of publication. Please leave entry in place, despite its appearing in the , until an editor verifies, by its removal, that all relevant content useful to the article has been extracted.-->

  • PLANTS Profile: Anthemis tinctoria L. (golden chamomile), USDA