German chamomile

A principal terpenoid of the flower oil with well-documented anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antibacterial and gastric-protective/ulcer-healing activity. It is one of the main actives credited with chamomile's soothing effect on skin and the digestive tract.

Formed from matricin during steam distillation, this compound gives the oil its deep blue colour. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity and, with its precursor matricin, contributes to chamomile's traditional wound- and inflammation-soothing uses.

The best-studied flavonoid of chamomile, a ligand at central benzodiazepine receptors that underlies the herb's anxiolytic and mild sedative effects; it also has anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive activity in laboratory studies.

Oxidised bisabolol derivatives that dominate certain chemotypes; they share the anti-inflammatory and spasmolytic actions of bisabolol and are used as chemotype markers.

The natural anti-inflammatory proazulene of the fresh flower; it is more potent than chamazulene itself in some assays and is the precursor that generates the blue azulene on distillation.

Simple coumarins contributing antispasmodic and mild antimicrobial activity; their presence is relevant to the theoretical interaction of chamomile with anticoagulant therapy.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonoids that add to the overall spasmolytic and free-radical-scavenging activity of chamomile preparations.

Steep 1-3 g of dried flower heads (about 1 heaped teaspoon) in a covered cup of just-boiled water for 5-10 minutes; keeping it covered preserves the volatile oil. Taken up to three times daily as a carminative and mild sedative digestive tea.

Hydroalcoholic extracts of the flower (often standardised to apigenin) are used for anxiety and digestive complaints; typical extract doses follow product labelling. Standardised 1.2% apigenin extract was used in the anxiety trials.

Chamomile flower extract or diluted blue essential oil is applied to inflamed or irritated skin, used as a mouth rinse for mucositis, or added to steam inhalation. Members of the Asteraceae family can cause contact allergy, so patch testing is advisable in sensitive individuals.

In 57 patients with mild-to-moderate generalized anxiety disorder, standardised chamomile extract (1.2% apigenin) produced a significantly greater reduction in Hamilton Anxiety scores than placebo over 8 weeks, with good tolerability.

Long-term chamomile therapy reduced the rate of GAD relapse compared with placebo and was well tolerated over 38 weeks, supporting chamomile as a maintenance option for generalized anxiety.

Pooling randomized and quasi-randomized trials, chamomile significantly improved generalized anxiety and sleep quality, with a favourable safety profile, though effects on state anxiety and insomnia were less consistent.

Chamomile was among the herbs esteemed by the Egyptians, who dedicated it to the sun god and used it for fevers and as a soothing remedy.

The Greek physician described 'anthemis' (chamomile), recommending it for its warming, emmenagogue and antispasmodic properties, a use carried through the classical and medieval herbal tradition.

Nicholas Culpeper detailed chamomile for colic, aches, fevers and as a general soothing herb, cementing its place in English domestic and apothecary medicine.