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The two plants

Chamomile is the common name for several daisy-like plants of the family Asteraceae. Two types of chamomile are German chamomile, Matricaria chamomilla, and Roman chamomile, Chamaemelum nobile. Roman chamomile has the synonym Anthemis nobilis. It is a low perennial plant, native to Western Europe and the northwestern Maghreb. Its flowerheads consist of prominent yellow disk flowers and silver-white ray flowers. Roman chamomile flowers in June and July in the Northern Hemisphere. Chamaemelum nobile is listed as least concern on the Red List, but its population trend in the UK is decreasing at a significant rate.

German chamomile is an annual plant of the composite family Asteraceae, native to southern and eastern Europe. It grows to a height of 15-60 cm and has white ray florets and yellow disc florets. The plant often flowers 2 to 3 times per year. Chamomile is highly susceptible to numerous fungi, viruses and insects, which collectively pose significant threats to its cultivation.

Roman chamomile is often confused with German chamomile, yet its morphology, properties and chemical composition are markedly different. The word chamomile comes, via French and Latin, from a Greek word meaning earth apple. The plant is so called because of its apple-like scent.

Chemistry

Chamomile essential oil contains sesquiterpenes, terpene lactones (including the blue compound chamazulene), acetylene derivatives and polyphenols. More than 120 chemical constituents have been identified in chamomile flowers, most of them found in the essential oil.

Roman chamomile contains mainly angelic acid and tiglic acid esters. Average ester content is 0.28% w/w for German chamomile and 75% w/w for Roman chamomile. Roman chamomile produces a light-blue essential oil that turns yellow during storage because of oxidation.

The essential oil of German chamomile is deep blue because of its high chamazulene content. It is generally composed of terpenoids such as α-bisabolol, its oxides A and B, bisabolone oxide A, chamazulene and β-farnesene. Bisabolol, a colorless viscous oil, is the primary constituent of the essential oil from German chamomile. Bisabolol accounts for up to 33% of the oil of German chamomile. The composition of the oil is influenced by several factors, such as geographic region and environment.

Chamazulene is an aromatic compound with the molecular formula C₁₄H₁₆ and the CAS number 529-05-5. Chamazulene is a blue oil.

Other uses

Extracts or dried flowers of Chamaemelum nobile are used in hair care and skincare products. Chamomile can be planted as a fragrant chamomile lawn.

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