A poster describing botanical, chemical, and pharmaceutical properties for the chamomile plant

McCann, Angela

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CHAMOMILE ANGELA R. MCCANN, NATUROPATHIC DOCTORAL CANDIDATE 2013UNIVERSITY OF BRIDGEPORT COLLEGE OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINELatin Names:  Matricaria recutita, Synonymous with Chamomilla recutita, and Matricaria chamomilliaFamily Name:  AsteraceaChemical Constituents:Matricaria recutita contains essential oils, flavanoids, Sesquiterpene lactones, coumarins and mucilage [5].  Common Names: German Chamomile, Chamomile, Wild Chamomile, Pin Heads, Scented May Weed Botanical Description:Matricaria recutita grows naturally in grassy areas and wastelands.  The seeds can survive many years below the soil and will reseed in areas even after the soil has been consistently disturbed by cultivation [1].  Matricaria recutita is an annual that grows 6-24 inches and is apple scented [2,3].  The name chamomile is derived from the Greek words “chamos” meaning ground, as in the location where it grows, and “melos” meaning apple, for its scent [4].  The stems are smooth and the leaves are divided into 2-3 pinnate branches.  Matricaria recutita flowers from May to October.  The daisy-like flower heads are a composite of 15 white florets and a central receptacle composed of yellow tubular inflorescences.  Matricaria recutitahas a hollow receptacle, which helps to identify it from its Roman cousins, Chamaemelum nobile, which have a solid receptacle.  The white florets grow laterally then begin to hang downward over time [5].  Medicinal Uses:From the essential oils, (-)-alpha-bisabolol, bisabololoxide A, B &C, chamazulene, chamaviolin, and spathulenol have been isolated [5,6].  Flavanoids such as apigenin, leuteolin and quercitin have been identified. Also, the sesqueterpine lactones matracin and matricarin have been isolated, along with coumarins and mucilages [7].Actions: Matricaria recutita acts as a carminative, stomachic, antibacterial, bacteriostatic, nervine, antispasmotic, muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory, wound healing promoter, skin metabolism stimulator and deodorant [7,8]Pharmacology: In a study of rat stomach mucosa damaged by ethanol, the constituent alpha-bisabolol reduced the damage by using potassium ATP channel activation [15].  In other tests of Matricaria recutita’sconstituents, chrysin and apigenin caused anxiolytic effects in mice and these effects were shown not to be Traditionally, Matricaria recutita has been used for colic, gout, indigestion, fevers, insomnia, arthritis, sciatica, headaches, cramps and flu [3].   The most common internal use is as a tea for digestive complaints such as indigestion, flatulence and bloating.  The most common external uses are for inflammatory dermatosis, wound treatment and ano-genital inflammation [7].  Chamomile translated in German means, “capable of anything,” showing the indispensible nature of this herb.  In Germany, where Matricaria recutita has been researched and used clinically, many studies have shown the efficacy of its use as an antiphlogistic, spasmolytic, ulcer protector, bactericidal and fungicidal [5].  In the Eastern United States, Matricaria recutita flowers have been used as a folk cancer remedy [3].  In animal trials, Matricaria recutita applied topically in olive oil elicited faster wound healing [9].  Additionally, when given in the drinking water of experimental rats, the animals healed faster than the controls [10].caused by the interaction with the GABA Benzodiazapine receptors.  Researchers believe the interaction may be due to interaction with GABA A receptors [16].  In an animal experiment to test wound healing in rats, Matricaria recutita administration healed ulcers faster than corticosteroids [17].  When the essential oils were extracted, 21 constituents were found to collaboratively show antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger [18].  In micro assay testing, it showed antibacterial activity against Campylobacter jejuni, a common enteric infector [19].Contraindications:Individuals with allergic reactions to other Asteracea may experience similar reactions to Matricaria recutita[7].  Use during pregnancy has not been evaluated.Plant Parts Used:  Medicinally, the flower head, or flos, is used. [5].  Some recent clinical trials using Marticaria recutita or its constituents have shown its benefit in treating anxiety, functional dyspepsia, hot flushes associated with menopause and its use as an anti-inflammatory.  In a review of clinical studies, Matricaria recutita was shown to have equal or higher effect size than anxiolytic drugs such as benzodiazepine, and buspirone [11].  In a clinical trial of STW-5II, an herbal preparation, using Matricaria recutita along with other herbs, researchers showed that the preparation effectively relieved the symptoms of functional dyspepsia [12].  A clinical study of Climex, an herbal preparation of Matricaria recutita and Angelica sinensis, showed a marked reduction in hot flushes, sleep disturbances and fatigue associated with menopause [13].  In a study to determine the mechanism of anti-inflammatory action oral doses of matracin, the sesqueterpine lactone constituent, were given to human volunteers.  After administration of matracin, participants had a plasma elevation of chamazulenecarboxylic acid, a cycooxogenase (COX) 2 inhibitor.  This research study also showed that matracin converts into chamazulene carboxylic acid in gastric fluid.  It is this conversion product that is responsible for the Pharmacy:Infusion:  The German Commission E recommends pouring 150mL boiling water over 3 grams dried flos, and allowing itto sit for ten minutes in a covered container.  Drink the strained infusion 3 – 4 times daily [5,7,8].  Tincture: According to the British Herbal Compendium, a tincture can be made in a ratio of 1 gram commuted flos to 5 mL of 45% ethanol.  3-10 mL may be taken up to 3 times per day [7].Dried Flos: 2-4 grams of the dried flower heads may be taken COX-2 anti-inflammatory actions of Matricaria recutita [14].Plant Distribution:Matricaria recutita is native to southern and eastern Europe across to western Asia.  It is naturalized to all of Europe, North America and Australia.  The plant is agriculturally cultivated in Argentina, Egypt, and throughout Europe [5].  up to 3 times per day.  If taken as a single dose, 5 grams may be taken [7].References:[1] Chanchelor, RJ., “Decline of arable weed seeds during 20 years in soil under grass and the periodicity of seedling emergence after cultivation.” Journal of Applied Ecology. (1986) 23, 631-637. [2] Bailey, L. H. Hortus third : a concise dictionary of plants cultivated in the United States and Canada.  New York : Macmillan, c1976.[3] Steven Foster and James Duke. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin Co. New York. 2000. [4] Sir William Smith, Charles Anthon. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities. American Book Co. New York. 1843[5] Bisset NG. Herbal drugs and phytopharmaceuticals. Boca Raton, FL, CRC Press, 2003.[6] B. Gosztola, E. Németh, A. Kozak, SZ. Sárosi, K. Szabó. “COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF HUNGARIAN CHAMOMILE (MATRICARIA RECUTITA L.) POPULATIONS.”  ISHS Acta Horticulturae 749: I International Symposium on Chamomile Research, Development and Production. 2007.[7] Blumenthal, Mark. The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs. American Botanical Council. 2003.[8] Hoffman, David.  Medical Herbalism. Healing Arts Press. 2003.[9] Jarrahi M, Vafaei AA, Taherian AA, Miladi H, Rashidi Pour A. “Evaluation of topical Matricaria chamomillaextract activity on linear incisionalwound healing in albino rats.” Nat Prod Res. 2010 May;24(8):697-702.[10] Nayak BS, Raju SS, Rao AV. “Wound healing activity of Matricaria recutita L. extract.”  J Wound Care. 2007 Jul;16(7):298-302.[11] Faustino TT, Almeida RB, Andreatini R. “Medicinal plants for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: a review of controlled clinical studies.”  Rev Bras Psiquiatr. 2010 Oct 15. Pii.[12] Madisch A, Holtmann G, Mayr G, Vinson B, Hotz J.  “Treatment of functional dyspepsia with a herbal preparation. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial.” Digestion. 2004;69(1):45-52. Epub 2004 Jan 30.[13] Kupfersztain C, Rotem C, Fagot R, Kaplan B. “The immediate effect of natural plant extract, Angelica sinensis and Matricaria chamomilla (Climex) for the treatment of hot flushes during menopause. A preliminary report.” Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2003;30(4):203-6.[14] Ramadan M; Goeters S; Watzer B; Krause E; Lohmann K; Bauer R; Hempel B; Imming P. “Chamazulene carboxylic acid and matricin: a natural profen and its natural prodrug, identified through similarity to synthetic drug substances.”  Journal of Natural Producats, Jul 1, 2006; 69(7): 1041-5[15] Bezerra SB; Leal LK; Pinto NA; Campos AR. “Bisabolol-induced gastroprotection against acute gastric lesions: Role of prostaglandins, nitric oxide, and K+ATP channels.” Journal of Medicinal Food. Dec 1, 2009; 12(6): 1403-6.[16] Zanoli P, Avallone R, Baraldi M. “Behavioral characterisationof the flavonoids apigenin and chrysin.” Fitoterapia. 2000 Aug;71 Suppl 1:S117-23.[17] Martins MD, Marques MM, Bussadori SK, Martins MA, Pavesi VC, Mesquita-Ferrari RA, Fernandes KP. “Comparative analysis between Chamomilla recutita and corticosteroids on wound healing. An in vitro and in vivo study.”  Phytother Res. 2009 Feb;23(2):274-8.[18] Tolouee M, Alinezhad S, Saberi R, Eslamifar A, Zad SJ, Jaimand K, Taeb J, Rezaee MB, Kawachi M, Shams-GhahfarokhiM, Razzaghi-Abyaneh M. “Effect of Matricaria chamomilla L. flower essential oil on the growth and ultrastructure of Aspergillus niger van Tieghem.” Int J Food Microbiol. 2010 May 15;139(3):127-33. Epub 2010 Mar 27.[19] Cwikla C, Schmidt K, Matthias A, Bone KM, Lehmann R, Tiralongo E. “Investigations into the antibacterial activities of phytotherapeutics against Helicobacter pylori and Campylobacter jejuni.” Phytother Res. 2010 May;24(5):649-56.Jar with Chamomille photo: ©iStockphoto/Effinity Stock Photography

Chamomile

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Chamomile

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