There are two kinds of plants called chamomile. One is German chamomile [Matricaria recutita], the other is Roman, or British chamomile [Chamaemelum nobile]. In general, Chinese medicine believes that German chamomile is a strong performance in both.

About 120 chemical constituents have been identified in chamomile as secondary metabolites, including 28 terpenoids, 36 flavonoids, and 52 other compounds with potential pharmacological activity [Salamon, 1997]. Studies have also shown that German chamomile has strong antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Roman chamomile is used for anxiety, stress and other neurological diseases as well as muscle spasms.

Where does chamomile come from?

Roman chamomile is a perennial herb of the genus, native to northwestern Europe and North Africa. It crawls close to the ground and can reach heights of up to 30 cm, while Matricaria recutita is native to Europe and West Asia and naturalized in North America [UMM, 2009].

What are the attributes of chamomile?

The medicinal use of chamomile can be traced back to ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks.

German chamomile is usually applied topically with a cream or ointment to soothe irritated skin because of its antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. There is evidence that it may have a moderate effect in treating eczema.

The essential oil of Roman chamomile is mainly composed of chamazulene, angelic acid, tiglic acid and several sesquiterpene lactones. Other ingredients of Roman chamomile include anthemic acid, athesterol, anthemene, resin and tannin. German chamomile essential oils contain chamazulene, -bisabolol, -bisabololaxides A and B, spathulenol cis-en-yn-diicycloether and farnesene. Other components of German chamomile include volatile oil, anthemic acid, antheminidine, tannin, m atricarin and apigenin [Purdue University, 1997].

Application of chamomile in skin care products

Chamomile is known as the main analgesic, anti-inflammatory and wound healing agents that relieve pain, redness caused by any cause, and promote skin repair.

It is suitable for dry, red, hot and sensitive skin and is said to have anti-allergic properties, making chamomile a very useful ingredient in natural skin care products for this skin type.

German chamomile has a stronger effect because its higher chamazulene content makes it the name of “super blue”. It has antiseptic properties like most essential oil chamomiles, which was previously used as a skin decongestant and cleanser in natural skin care products.

Chamomile is used as an herbal extract by herbalists and can be used internally for a range of health problems such as: obstructing lacrimal ducts, ulcer sores [oral ulcers], colic, diarrhea, eczema, gingivitis [periodontal disease], indigestion And heartburn, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcer and skin irritation.

On the outside, it can be applied to creams, ointments or directly to the skin for any skin problem with irritating, inflammatory and/or infectious ingredients. It is usually combined with other herbs or essential oils such as lavender, calendula and the like.

references:

* Purdue University [1997] Chamomile. Website: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/med-aro/factsheets/chamomile.html [last visit May 22, 2009]
* Salamon, I. [1992] Chamomile: A Medicineal Plant. Herb, Spice and Medicinal Plant Digest, Vol. 1 [1], pp 1-4.
*University of Maryland Medical Center [UMM], website: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ [last accessed on May 22, 2009].

Use chamomile as a component of skin care products was originally published on Spring