The interplay between plants and human health has been around for thousands of years, with the use of herbs going back at least 5,000 years. Chamomile extract is one of the most common medicinal plants. The name of Chamomile is original from CHAMOS, which is means Ground, and MELOS which is meant Apple, it means Chamomile is slow-growing and its flowers smell like apples. Chamomile is widely consumed as a tea and is one of the most popular herbal teas in the world, with about one million cups consumed daily. It can also be used to make medicinal wine.
The history of Chamomile can be traced back to ancient Egypt when chamomile tea was designated as a cold remedy. The Romans liked to use it as a drink, with a soothing function. The main uses of chamomile extract today are as a sedative, anxiolytic and antispasmodic, and to treat mild skin irritation and inflammation.
Main Variety of Chamomile plant in the world
Matricaria recutita L.（Also called M. chamomilla L.;Chamomilla recutita L.）
Chamaemelumnobile (L.) (Also called Anthemis nobilis L.)
Matricaria recutita L. is more widely cultivated than Chamaemelumnobile. Matricaria recutita L. native to Europe, Africa and Asia, is now also grown in North America. Matricaria recutita L. requires cool, mild conditions to grow well (7-26 degree ) and also survives cold winters of -12 degree .
Chamomile is also known for its pleasant aroma and is widely used in cosmetics and aromatherapy. Chamomile flowers contain 0.24 percent to 1.9 percent of volatile oils, which are light blue due to the terpenoid cerulean. After steam distillation, the color of volatile oil varies from bright blue to dark green, and turns dark yellow after storage. Despite the fading phenomenon, it did not lose its effect.
In traditional medicine, chamomile extract has been used for centuries as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and mildly astringent. Chamomile has attracted considerable attention in the field of modern biomedical research due to its long-standing and widespread use in traditional medicine. It is also used to treat wounds, ulcers, eczema, skin irritation, burns, neuralgia, hemorrhoids, mastitis and other conditions. As well as topical use in the treatment of diaper rash, ear and eye infections, conjunctivitis, nasal inflammation, etc. Chamomile extract is currently approved for the treatment of coughs and bronchitis, fever, colds, inflammations, infections, wounds and burns.
Active ingredients of Chamomile extract
At present, about 120 secondary metabolites have been detected in the dried flowers of chamomile, including 28 terpenoids and 36 flavonoids. Coumarin, umbelliferone; flavonoids are mainly apigenin, chamomile blue, farnesene, quercetin, luteolin, etc., and other components include ethers, tannins, chamomile acid, choline, polysaccharides and phytoestrogens. The content of Apigenin in Chamomile is high (840 mg/100 g), but the free form is very little, mainly in the form of various glycosides.
Benefits of Chamomile extract
1. Promote sleep
Chamomile tea is best known for its ability to aid sleep. Known for its relaxing and soothing properties, it is usually taken before bedtime to promote sleep.
2. Soothes the stomach
Chamomile extract is helpful for various stomach ailments. It relieves stomach pains, relieves symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, promotes detoxification, and aids in digestion.
3. Relieve dysmenorrhea
One study found that drinking chamomile tea increased urine levels of glycine, a compound that relieves muscle cramps, which is why chamomile tea can help relieve menstrual cramps.
4. Fights Colds
Chamomile has immune-boosting properties and helps fight colds due to its antibacterial properties.
5. Diabetes adjuvant therapy
In one study, daily consumption of chamomile tea was found to prevent the development of diabetic complications and hyperglycemia.
Benefits of Chamomile extract in Skin Care
Chamomile skincare products have very good soothing and repairing functions, especially for sensitive skin. Chamomile ingredients can effectively reduce redness and adjust uneven skin tone. Because chamomile extract is rich in flavonoid active ingredients, it is widely added to high-end anti-allergic skincare products to protect the most sensitive skin such as the face, hands and feet. Chamomile is the main ingredient in many of the better acne products and whitening care products on the market.
The chamomile extract has a cool and refreshing feeling on the skin, and has a significant effect on balancing the oil secretion on the skin surface and moisturizing. In addition, regular use of skincare products containing chamomile ingredients can effectively improve puffiness, dark circles, and prevent facial aging. It can be said to be one of the best skincare products for women's daily skincare.
Chamomile Extract Side Effect
Chamomile is generally well tolerated, and side effects are rare. But people allergic to Asteraceae should avoid chamomile; chamomile may also cause blood thinning, so people taking anticoagulant medications, including over-the-counter medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen, should avoid Chamomile extract; Chamomile is contraindicated during pregnancy because it May stimulate uterine contractions.
Reference website
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/
https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-chamomile-89436