A Review: Uses and Pharmacological Activity of
Matricaria Chamomilla
Imad Hadi Hameed1, Ghaidaa Jihadi Mohammed2, Sabreen A. Kamal3
1Biomedical Science Department, University of Babylon, College of Nursing, Hillah city, Iraq;
2Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Hillah city, Iraq;
3Department of Biology, College of Science for Women, University of Babylon, Hillah city, Iraq
ABSTRACT
M. chamomilla has a branched, erect and smooth stem, which grows to a height of 15–60 cm (6–23.5 in).
The long and narrow leaves are bipinnate or tripinnate. The flowers are borne in paniculate flower heads
(capitula). The white ray florets are furnished with a ligule, while the disc florets are yellow. The hollow
receptacle is swollen and lacks scales. It can be taken as an herbal tea, two teaspoons of dried flower per cup
of tea, which should be steeped for 10 to 15 minutes while covered to avoid evaporation of the volatile oils.
For a sore stomach, some recommend taking a cup every morning without food for two to three months.
Keyword: A review, Pharmacological activity, Matricaria chamomilla, Bioactive compounds, Applications.
Corresponding Author:
Imad Hadi Hameed
Biomedical Science Department, University of Babylon,
College of Nursing, Hillah city, Iraq
Phone number: 009647716150716
E-mail: imad_dna@yahoo.com
INTRODUCTION
Matricaria recutita, commonly known as
chamomile (also spelled camomile), Italian camomilla,
German chamomile, Hungarian chamomile (kamilla),
wild chamomile or scented mayweed, is an annual plant
of the composite family Asteraceae 1-7. M. chamomilla is
the most popular source of the herbal product chamomile,
although other species are also used as chamomile 8-13.
M. chamomilla can be found near populated areas all
over Europe and temperate Asia, and it has been widely
introduced in temperate North America and Australia.
It often grows near roads, around landfills, and in
cultivated fields as a weed, because the seeds require
open soil to survive14-23. One of the active ingredients
of its essential oil is the terpene bisabolol. Other active
ingredients include farnesene, chamazulene, flavonoids
(including apigenin, quercetin, patuletin and luteolin)
and coumarin 24-32. Dried chamomile has a reputation
(among herbalists) for being incorrectly prepared
because it is dried at a temperature above the boiling
point of the volatile components of the plant.
Uses and Pharmacological activity: The flower
has been approved for use in baths, as irrigation for
anogenital inflammation, and for use internally to treat
GI spasms and inflammatory diseases.
Anti-inflammatory: Chamomile has purported antiinflammatory
effects, but there are no published clinical
trials supporting the findings of animal experiments 33-37.
Chemical constituents of chamomile, such as bisabolol,
chamazulene, and the flavonoids apigenin and luteolin,
possess anti-inflammatory properties.
Antispasmodic/antidiarrheal: Chamomile infusions
have been used traditionally as GI antispasmodics
despite the lack of rigorous trials to support this use. A
small trial of a tea containing chamomile and other herbs
was effective in treating infantile colic, but the volume
of tea required for effect limited its usefulness38-41.
Skin: Eczema: In a study designed to evaluate the effect
of massage with chamomile essential oil versus massage
only, no difference was found for the study arms42-
46. Additionally, further use of the essential oil after
the study period showed a decline in eczema severity,
suggesting possible sensitization to the oils over time.
Skin: Radiation dermatitis: In a study designed to
investigate the efficacy of chamomile cream in acute
radiation dermatitis, no difference was found between
DOI Number: 10.5958/0976-5506.2018.00209.7
Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, March 2018, Vol.9, No. 3 201
chamomile and almond creams. Furthermore, review of
the data did not reveal any additional trials; therefore,
the use of chamomile cream for this condition is
discouraged47-51.
Estrogenic activity: An ethanolic extract of chamomile
containing primarily apigenin demonstrated weak
estrogenic and progestational activity in an in vitro
tissue system52-58. An aqueous extract of chamomile
demonstrated antiestrogenic activity on breast cell
tissue and demonstrated a nonproliferative effect on
cervical cancer cells in a study designed to measure the
stimulatory effect of chamomile on bone osteoblasts 58-62.
Mouth (mucositis): Use of chamomile in radiation- and
chemotherapy-induced mucositis have been studied in
several trials with conflicting results.
Dosage: Chamomile has been used as a tea for various
conditions and as a topical cream. Typical oral doses are
9 to 15 g/day63-69. Gargles made from 8 g chamomile
flowers in 1,000 mL water have been used in trials.
CONCLUSION
This Matricaria chamomilla derived bioactive
compounds used as source of antibiotic properties and
pharmaceutical industries used for drug formulation.
Matricaria chamomilla, is widely used in the treatment
of diabetes, anti-inflammatory effects, and Estrogenic
activity.
Financial Disclosure: There is no financial disclosure.
Conflict of Interest: None to declare.
Ethical Clearance: In our review, all these major
pharmacological activity were complete analysis under
the biological department of College of Science for
Women in Hillah city.
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