Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

Overview

Matricaria chamomilla, commonly called German or “true” chamomile, is a short‑lived annual herb belonging to the Asteraceae family. Its dried flower heads are used to make teas, extracts, and dietary‑supplement products that are primarily valued for their mild sedative, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

Benefits

Sleep & anxiety: Randomized trials have shown that 200–400 mg of chamomile extract (standardized to ≥ 1.2 % apigenin) improves sleep latency and reduces mild‑to‑moderate generalized anxiety disorder scores (e.g., studies by McKay & Blumberg, 2006).
Digestive comfort: In a double‑blind trial, 250 mg of chamomile extract reduced symptoms of functional dyspepsia and abdominal pain (Cao et al., 2010).
Anti‑inflammatory & skin health: Topical chamomile oil (5‑10 % in a cream base) reduces erythema and itching in atopic dermatitis, likely via inhibition of prostaglandin E2 production (Heinrich et al., 2017).
Antioxidant & cardiometabolic: In vitro and animal studies demonstrate that flavonoid‑rich chamomile extracts attenuate oxidative stress, improve endothelial function, and modestly lower systolic blood pressure (≈ 3 mm Hg) when taken as 500 mg daily for 12 weeks (Kwon et al., 2019).
Mild analgesia: A 300‑mg dose of chamomile extract reduces postoperative pain scores by ~15 % compared with placebo in a small surgical‑recovery trial (Kumar et al., 2015).

How It Works

Bioactivity: Chamomile’s bioactivity stems largely from flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, quercetin) and terpenoids (α‑bisabolol, chamazulene).
Calming effect: Apigenin binds to benzodiazepine‑site GABA_A receptors, enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission and producing a calming effect.
Anti-inflammatory action: The same flavonoids inhibit cyclo‑oxygenase‑2 (COX‑2) and NF‑κB pathways, reducing prostaglandin synthesis and inflammatory cytokine release (IL‑6, TNF‑α).
Antioxidant action: α‑Bisabolol and chamazulene are potent reactive‑oxygen‑species scavengers, stabilizing cell membranes and preserving endothelial nitric-oxide synthase activity, thereby improving vasodilation.
Overall effect: Collectively, these actions explain chamomile’s sedative, anti‑inflammatory, and antioxidant actions.

Dosage

Oral capsule/ tablet (standardized 1.0–1.5 % apigenin): 200–400 mg 1–2 times/day for sleep or anxiety; 250 mg 3 times/day for gastrointestinal discomfort.
Liquid extract (dry‑weight equivalent): 10–30 mL (≈ 400 mg) taken 30 min before bedtime for insomnia.
Topical (cream/ointment 5–10 % chamomile oil): Apply 2–3 times/day to affected skin, up to 4 weeks.
Special cases:
- Pregnant women should limit intake to ≤ 1 g/day of dried flower to avoid uterine stimulation.
- Athletes seeking anti‑oxidant support may use 500 mg/day post‑exercise.

Safety & Side Effects

General tolerance: Chamomile is generally well‑tolerated.
Common adverse events: Mild gastrointestinal upset and mild allergic reactions (especially in people with ragweed or other Asteraceae sensitivities) are the most common adverse events.
Contraindications:
- Known hypersensitivity.
- Concurrent anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin) – chamomile may potentiate bleeding via platelet inhibition.
- Pregnancy (high doses) due to uterine stimulant potential.
Drug interactions:
- Synergistic CNS depressant effect with benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and alcohol.
- Possible additive anticoagulant effect with aspirin, clopidogrel, or novel oral anticoagulants.
Children: Children under 3 years should avoid concentrated extracts; use only low‑dose teas (1 tsp dried flowers/200 mL water).

Chemistry

Apigenin: The principal flavonoid apigenin (C₁₅H₁₀O₅; IUPAC: 4′,5,7‑trihydroxy‑2‑(4‑hydroxyphenyl)‑4‑H‑chromen‑4‑one) has a planar flavone core with hydroxyl groups at positions 4′, 5, and 7.
Luteolin: Luteolin (C₁₅H₁₀O₆) adds an extra 3′‑hydroxyl, enhancing antioxidant activity.
Terpenoids: The sesquiterpene α‑bisabolol (C₁₅H₂₆O) and its oxidized derivative, chamazulene (C₁₄H₁₈) are responsible for the characteristic blue‑green color of essential oil and contribute to anti-inflammatory activity.
Extract composition: The extracts typically contain 0.5–2 % total flavonoids (by weight) and 0.1–0.5 % essential oil (α‑bisabolol/ chamazulene).

Sources & Quality

Cultivation: Chamomile is cultivated worldwide, with major commercial production in Egypt, Germany, Egypt, and China.
Harvesting: The dried flower heads are harvested at full bloom, then air‑dried at < 40 °C to preserve flavonoids.
Extraction methods: Extraction methods include ethanol or water‑ethanol (70 % ethanol) maceration for flavonoids and steam‑distillation for essential oil.
Standardization: Standardization of extracts is performed by HPLC quantification of apigenin (≥ 0.5 % w/w).
Quality control: High‑quality supplements are verified by USP or EFSA‑approved Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and include third‑party testing for pesticide residues, heavy metals, and microbial load.
Preferred material: Organic, non‑irradiated raw material is preferred for preserving volatile terpenes and reducing contaminant risk.