Chamomile

Chamomile or camomile (/ˈkæmmiːl/ KAM-ə-meel or /ˈkæmmaɪl/ KAM-ə-myl) is a common name for several daisy-like plants of the family Asteraceae. These plants are best known for their ability to be made into an infusion which is commonly used to help with sleep and is often served with either honey or lemon. Because chamomile can cause uterine contractions which can lead to miscarriage, the U.S. National Institutes for Health says that pregnant and nursing mothers should not consume chamomile. Chrysin, a flavonoid found in chamomile, has been shown to be anxiolytic in rodents.

Species

There are a number of species whose common name includes the word chamomile. This does not mean they can be used in the same manner as the herbal tea known as "chamomile." Plants including the common name "chamomile", are of the family Asteraceae, and include:

• Matricaria recutita, wild chamomile, commonly used in chamomile tea
• Anthemis nobilis, Roman chamomile

And to some extent congeners such as:

• Anthemis arvensis, corn or scentless chamomile
• Anthemis cotula, stinking chamomile
• Anthemis tinctoria, dyer's chamomile

• Cladanthus multicaulis, Moroccan chamomile
• Eriocephalus punctulatus, Cape chamomile
• Matricaria discoidea, wild chamomile or pineapple weed

Etymology

The word derives, via French and Latin, from Greek χαμαίμηλον (chamaimilon) ("earth apple"). The more common British spelling "camomile", corresponding to the immediate French source, is the older in English, while the spelling "chamomile" more accurately corresponds to the ultimate Latin and Greek source.

Medicinal use

Preliminary research suggests chamomile is an effective therapy for anxiety.

A 2009 study by Srivastava, et al, published in "Life Sciences," found that chamomile caused cell reactions similar to that of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The University of Maryland Medical Center states chamomile can help the inflammation associated with hemorrhoids, but only applied topically, and not when consumed as a tea. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center adds that chamomile has shown anti-inflammatory effects in the laboratory and in animals; more research needs to be done to see whether it has the same effect in human subjects. Chamomile extract was shown to possess anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycemic, antigenotoxic, and anticancer properties in vitro and in animal studies. Apigenin, a flavone present in chamomile, has strong chemopreventive effects. Bisabololoxide A, another constituent of chamomile, was shown to reduce the dose of 5-fluorouracil when used together against leukemic cells.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine caution of rare allergic reactions (Asteraceae allergy) and/or atopic dermatitis (skin rash).

See also

• Mayweed

External links

• Chamomile (Matricaria recutita, Chamaemelum nobile) medical and therapeutic information on MedlinePlus
• Chamomile fact sheet, NIH National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Roman chamomile, the National Cancer Institute
• PLANTS Profile: Anthemis tinctoria L. (golden chamomile), USDA
• Texts on Wikisource:
  • Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  • Rines, George Edwin, ed. (1920). Encyclopedia Americana. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)