Chamomile

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File:Kamomillasaunio (Matricaria recutita).JPG

German chamomile, Matricaria chamomilla

Chamomile (American English) or camomile (British English; see spelling differences) (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell or Template:Respell<ref>Template:Citation</ref><ref name="Dictionary">Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref>) is the common name for several Template:Nowrap plants of the family Asteraceae. Two of the species, Matricaria chamomilla and Chamaemelum nobile, are commonly used to make herbal infusions for beverages.<ref name="nccih">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Medline">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="drugs">Template:Cite web</ref> Chamomile is also commonly used as a flavoring and in traditional medicine, although it may cause side effects and interact with other medications.<ref name=Medline/><ref name=drugs/>

Etymology

The word chamomile is derived via French and Latin, from the Greek Template:Langx, from Template:Langx, and Template:Langx.<ref>Template:LSJ</ref><ref name="oed">Template:Cite web</ref> First used in the 13th century, the spelling chamomile corresponds to the Latin Template:Lang and the Greek Template:Transliteration.<ref name=oed /> The spelling camomile is a British derivation from the French.<ref name=oed />

Species

File:Loose leaf chamomile tea.jpg

Loose-leaf chamomile tea

Some commonly used species include:

Matricaria chamomilla – often called "German chamomile" or "Water of Youth"<ref name="Europe">Template:Cite journal</ref>
Chamaemelum nobile – Roman, English, or garden chamomile; also frequently used (C. nobile Treneague is normally used to create a chamomile lawn)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

A number of other species' common names include the word chamomile. This does not necessarily mean they are used in the same manner as the species used in the herbal tea known as "chamomile". Plants including the common name chamomile, of the family Asteraceae, are:

Anthemis arvensis – corn, scentless or field chamomile
Anthemis cotula – stinking chamomile
Cladanthus mixtus – Moroccan chamomile
Cota tinctoria – dyer's, golden, oxeye, or yellow chamomile
Eriocephalus punctulatus – Cape chamomile
Matricaria discoidea – wild chamomile or pineapple weed
Oncosiphon pilulifer – globe chamomile
Tripleurospermum inodorum – wild, scentless or false chamomile

Uses

File:Camomile tea, High Tea at the Savoy Hotel.jpg

Chamomile tea being served at the Savoy Hotel in London, England

Chamomile may be used as a flavouring agent in foods and beverages, mouthwash, soaps, and cosmetics.<ref name="drugs" /> Chamomile tea is a herbal infusion made from dried flowers and hot water, and may improve sleep quality.<ref name="nccih" />Template:Failed verification Two types of chamomile are used, namely German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile).<ref name="nccih" /> Chamomile has historically been used as one of the flavouring ingredients in beer,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and is sometimes used by modern brewers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Usually the whole plant is used, adding a bitter flavour component.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Chamomile, chiefly Chamaemelum nobile cultivars, is used to "upholster" chamomile seats, raised beds which are about half a meter tall, and designed to be sat upon.<ref>The Sensory Garden, Buckfast Abbey (image)</ref> Chamomile lawns are also used in sunny areas with light traffic.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Research

There is no clinical evidence that chamomile is effective for treating any diseases.<ref name=drugs/> Chamomile is under preliminary research for its potential anti-anxiety properties.<ref name="Europe" /> There is no good evidence that it is useful for treating insomnia.<ref name="Leach">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Phytochemicals

The main compounds in chamomile flowers are coumarins, flavonoids, and polyphenols,<ref name="Europe" /> including apigenin, quercetin, patuletin, luteolin, and daphnin.<ref name="mckay">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Drug interactions

The use of chamomile has the potential to cause adverse interactions with numerous herbal products and prescription drugs and may worsen pollen allergies.<ref name=drugs /> People who are allergic to ragweed (also in the daisy family) may be allergic to chamomile due to cross-reactivity.<ref name=nccih />

Chamomile consists of several ingredients including coumarin, glycoside, herniarin, flavonoid, farnesol, nerolidol and germacranolide. Despite the presence of coumarin, as chamomile's effect on the coagulation system has not yet been studied, it is unknown whether a clinically significant drug–herb interaction exists with anticoagulant drugs.<ref name=drugs /> However, until more information is available, it is not recommended to use these substances concurrently.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Chamomile should not be used by people with past or present cancers of the breast, ovary, or uterus; endometriosis; or uterine fibroids.<ref name=drugs />

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Because chamomile has been known to cause uterine contractions that can invoke miscarriage, pregnant women are advised to not consume Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile).<ref name=Medline /> Although oral consumption of chamomile is generally recognized as safe in the United States, there is insufficient clinical evidence about its potential for affecting nursing infants.<ref name=drugs />

Agriculture

The chamomile plant is known to be susceptible to many fungi, insects, and viruses. The following fungi are known to attack this plant: Albugo tragopogonis (white rust), Cylindrosporium matricariae, Erysiphe cichoracearum (powdery mildew), E. polyphage, Halicobasidium purpureum, Peronospora leptosperma, Peronospora radii, Phytophthora cactorum, Puccinia anthemedis, Puccinia matricaiae, Septoria chamomillae, and Sphaerotheca macularis (powdery mildew). Also, yellow virus (Chlorogenus callistephi var. californicus Holmes, Callistephus virus 1A) causes severe damage to this plant. <ref name=":0">Template:Cite journal</ref>Aphids (Aphis fabae) have been observed feeding on chamomile plants and the moth Autographa chryson causes defoliation.The insect Nysius minor caused shedding of M. chamomilla flowers,<ref name=":0" />

Historical descriptions

Nicholas Culpeper's 17th century The Complete Herbal has an illustration and several entries on chamomel.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In culture

In The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter (1902), Peter's mother gives him chamomile tea to cure his stomach ache.<ref name=Castleman>Michael Castleman Template:Google books</ref>
Mary Wesley's 1984 novel The Camomile Lawn features a house in Cornwall with a lawn planted with chamomile rather than grass.
In the 2001 No Doubt song "Hey Baby", chamomile is featured in the line "I'm just sippin' on chamomile", sung by Gwen Stefani.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
Chamomile is the national flower of Russia.<ref name="Minahan">James Minahan. The complete guide to national symbols and emblems, Vol. 1. Greenwood Press. 2009.</ref>
In Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 1, Falstaff proclaims “…the camomile grows faster the more it is trodden on“.

References

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External links

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