Herb-Drug Interactions: Roman Chamomile

Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All (Asteraceae)

Synonym(s) and related species

Chamomile, Double chamomile, English chamomile, Man-zanilla.

Anthemis nobilis L.

Pharmacopoeias

Chamomile Flowers (British Ph 2009); Chamomile Flower, Roman (European Ph, 6th ed., 2008 and Supplements 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4).

Constituents

The flowerheads contain an essential oil composed mainly of esters of angelic and tiglic acids, with 1,8-cineole, trans-pinocarveol, trans-pinocarvone, chamazulene, farnesol, nerolidol, various germacranolide-type sesquiterpene lactones, amyl and isobutyl alcohols, and anthemol. The flavonoids apigenin, luteolin, quercetin with their glycosides, and the natural coumarin scopoletin-7-glucoside, are also present.

Chamazulene is formed from a natural precursor during steam distillation of the oil.

Use and indications

Roman chamomile is used as a carminative, anti-emetic, antispasmodic, and sedative for dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting, anorexia and dysmenorrhoea. It is widely used as a topical preparation for the hair.

Pharmacokinetics

No relevant pharmacokinetic data found. For information on the pharmacokinetics of individual flavonoids found in Roman chamomile, see under flavonoids.

Interactions overview

No interactions with Roman chamomile found, but, for information on the interactions of individual flavonoids found in Roman chamomile, see under flavonoids.