Matricaria flower is the common name for the flower heads of the plant Matricaria recutita L. (also known as chamomile). The flowers for medicinal use are obtained either from plants that have been cultivated or found in the wild. Inhaling chamomile oil may help with a variety of conditions, including anxiety and promoting sleep. You can use the oil in a diffuser or in a glass spray bottle. Miraj S, et al. (2016). A systematic review study of therapeutic effects of Matricaria recuitta chamomile (chamomile). DOI: is defined as a substance diluted to one part in a hundredth. So 1ml of chamomile into 99ml of water would be 1C. This would be considered a very weak homeopathic remedy. Homeopaths claim that the more you dilute an active ingredient in water, the stronger the medicine becomes. Some people may be allergic to chamomile oil. This may be more likely if you’re allergic to plants related to chamomile such as daisies, ragweed, or marigolds.

In a 2017 study utilizing the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, chamomile extract capsules safely improved sleep in elderly subjects. Although chamomile did not directly affect sleep duration, it did have a significant effect on sleep latency (the time it takes to fall asleep), sleep efficiency (the percentage of time in bed that one is asleep), and sleep quality (how rested and restored one feels) of the subjects. Rafraf M, et al. Effectiveness of chamomile tea on glycemic control and serum lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes. J Endocrinol Invest. 2015 Feb;38(2):163-70. In rare cases a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis can occur, which is a medical emergency. Signs to look out for include:Adults can use Chamomile as a sleep aid, to ease menstrual cramps, relieve headaches, for digestive health and soothe frayed nerves. It’s also great for the skin, especially eczema, and can even naturally lighten hair. Chamomile helps support the nervous system and may boost the immune system. Chamomile ( Matricaria chamomilla L.) is one of the important medicinal herb native to southern and eastern Europe. It is also grown in Germany, Hungary, France, Russia, Yugoslavia, and Brazil. It was introduced to India during the Mughal period, now it is grown in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Jammu and Kashmir. The plants can be found in North Africa, Asia, North and South America, Australia, and New Zealand.[ 1] Hungary is the main producer of the plant biomass. In Hungary, it also grows abundantly in poor soils and it is a source of income to poor inhabitants of these areas. Flowers are exported to Germany in bulk for distillation of the oil.[ 2] Besides the capitula, the shoot (leaves and stem) and root of the plant also contain essential oil. Earlier investigations on the oil of this herb reported[ 55, 83] the presence of (Z)-3-hexenol, (E)-β-farnesene, α-farnesene, germacrene D, (E)-nerolidol, spathulenol, hexadec-11-yn-11,13-diene, and (Z)- and (E)-en-yn-dicycloethers, whereas the root oil was reported to contain linalool, nerol, geraniol, β-elemene, (E)-β-farnesene, α-farnesene, spathulenol, τ-cadinol, τ-muurolol, β-caryophyllene, cis-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, chamomillol, hexadec-11-yn-11,13-diene, cis- and trans-en-yn-dicycloethers, and chamomile esters I and II.[ 55, 95] These oils were devoid of chamazulene and α-bisabolol and its oxides were present as minor constituents. α-Humulene, hexadec-11-yn-13,15-diene, phytol, isophytol, and methyl palmitate were detected for the first time from M. chamomilla.[ 10]

Kobayashi Y, Nakano Y, Inayama K, Sakai A, Kamiya T. Dietary intake of the flower extracts of German chamomile ( Matricaria recutita L.) inhibited compound 48/80-induced itch-scratch responses in mice. Phytomedicine. 2003;10(8):657–64. Chamomile has been used in herbal remedies for thousands of years, known in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome.[ 6] This herb has been believed by Anglo-Saxons as 1 of 9 sacred herbs given to humans by the lord.[ 7] The chamomile drug is included in the pharmacopoeia of 26 countries.[ 8] It is an ingredient of several traditional, unani, and homeopathy medicinal preparations.[ 9– 12] As a drug, it finds use in flatulence, colic, hysteria, and intermittent fever.[ 13] The flowers of M. chamomilla contain the blue essential oil from 0.2 to 1.9%,[ 14, 15] which finds a variety of uses. Chamomile is used mainly as an antiinflammatory and antiseptic, also antispasmodic and mildly sudorific.[ 16] It is used internally mainly as a tisane (infuse 1 table-spoonful of the drug in 1 L of cold water and do not heat) for disturbance of the stomach associated with pain, for sluggish digestion, for diarrhea and nausea; more rarely and very effectively for inflammation of the urinary tract and for painful menstruation. Externally, the drug in powder form may be applied to wounds slow to heal, for skin eruptions, and infections, such as shingles and boils, also for hemorrhoids and for inflammation of the mouth, throat, and the eyes.[ 17] Tabulated products from chamomile flower extracts are marketed in Europe and used for various ailments. Chamomile tea eye washing can induce allergic conjunctivitis. Pollen of M. chamomilla contained in these infusions are the allergens responsible for these reactions.[ 18]Essential oils are very concentrated and shouldn’t be swallowed unless you’re under the supervision of a qualified professional. Some are even toxic. If you’d like to use chamomile internally, consider using chamomile tea instead.

Diffusion. A diffuser allows the scent of evaporated essential oils to spread through a room. When diffusing chamomile oil be sure to follow the specific directions that come with your diffuser. Kolodziejczyk-Czepas J, Bijak M, Saluk J, et al. Radical scavenging and antioxidant effects of Matricaria chamomilla polyphenolic–polysaccharide conjugates. Int J Biol Macromol. 2015;72:1152–8. El Souda SSED, Ahmed KM, Grace MH, Elkherassy EEA, Farrag ARH, Abdelwahab SM. Flavonoids and gastroprotective effect of Matricaria chamomilla against indomethacin-induced ulcer in rats. Int J Geogr Inf Syst. 2015;21(2):111–7. Maschi O, Cero ED, Galli GV, Caruso D, Bosisio E, Dell’Agli M. Inhibition of human cAMP-phosphodiesterase as a mechanism of the spasmolytic effect of Matricaria recutita L. J Agric Food Chem. 2008;56(13):5015–20. Chamomile does have some potential side effects and drug interactions that you should be aware of. Skin irritationToddlers and older children: 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon can be taken 1-3 times a day while needed. It’s especially useful for babies and young children who are having difficulty sleeping. A dose right before bedtime can help relax and soothe them for a more peaceful sleep. Goes P, Dutra CS, Lisboa MR, et al. Clinical efficacy of a 1% Matricaria chamomile L. mouthwash and 0.12% chlorhexidine for gingivitis control in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances. J Oral Sci. 2016;58(4):569-574. doi:10.2334/josnusd.16-0280 In vitro research involving both German chamomile and calendula observed promising anticancer effects. Although the study involved two herbs, the strongest results were seen with the methanol extract of chamomile. Researchers discovered that chamomile has a cytotoxic (cell-killing) effect on melanoma and carcinoma cancer cells. One of chamomile’s major constituents, apigenin, was discovered to inhibit cancer cell growth in a lab-based study. In a 2007 study, various chamomile extracts were used against human cancer cell lines. While the chamomile had very little effect on healthy cells, it was able to significantly slow the growth of cancer cells.

Another variety of chamomile, Roman chamomile ( Anthemis nobilis), has similar effects to German chamomile but is chemically and physically different. Roman chamomile is a perennial native to the Mediterranean area that grows closer to the ground than German chamomile. Both chamomiles have similar uses, however, Roman chamomile has a heightened antispasmodic and antimicrobial effect. Kazemian H, et al. (2018). In vivo antibacterial and wound healing activities of Roman chamomile ( Chamaemelum nobile). DOI:If you type “Teething Powder” into google, there will be two brands that will dominate the results – The use of chamomile has been described in medical texts from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Over the centuries, it’s been used for: Ganzera M, Schneider P, Stuppner H. Inhibitory effects of the essential oil of chamomile ( Matricaria recutita L.) and its major constituents on human cytochrome P450 enzymes. Life Sci. 2006;78(8):856–61. Homeopathic remedies contain the essence of the ingredient in a dilution. Homeopathic dilutions are most commonly measured using a number followed by the letter C. This denotes how many times it has been diluted – the higher the number, the more dilutions to has undergone. The HMPC conclusions on the use of matricaria flower medicines for the above-mentioned indications are based on their 'traditional use' in these conditions. This means that, although there is insufficient evidence from clinical trials, the effectiveness of these herbal medicines is plausible and there is evidence that they have been used safely in this way for at least 30 years (including at least 15 years within the EU). Moreover, the intended use does not require medical supervision.