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| http://www.thewildrose.net/archive/herb-c.html |
Last updated: 15th January 2003
| CHAMOMILE |
Family: Compositae
Genus: Chamaemelum (Anthemis) and Matricaria
Species: C. Nobilis and M. Recutita (M. chamomilla)
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| http://www.thewildrose.net/archive/herb-c.html |
Contents
General Background
Details of Quality Characteristics
Current Production and Yields
Constraints upon Production
Markets and Market Potential
Other Information
Research
Useful Websites
BioMat Net
Contacts
References
General Background
There are two types of chamomile grown for
oil production:
There are many other similar looking species
with a host of local and folk names such
as Mayweed or Dog-Daisy which are often incorrectly
attributed to either species.
Chamaemelum Spp. (formerly known as: Anthemis nobilis):
Other names: Fr.: Camomille romaine; It.:
Camomilla romana; Sp.: Manzanilla romana;
Ger.: Romische Kamille; Dtch.: Roomse Kamille;
Russ.: Pupavka blagorodnaya
There are 4 species of chamomile. Chamaemelum nobilis or as it is sometimes known Anthemis nobilis is a perennial, and the species indigenous
to the UK and most of western Europe. It
has short, much branched creeping roots and
upright or decumbent stems 10-30 cm long
which are also branched and hairy. The 2-3
pinnate leaves are 1.5-5.5 cm long and the
flower heads are 18-25 cm in diameter. The
oblong and downy bracts are white at the
margins and the florets are yellow. There
are some 18 white rays arranged round the
yellow conical centre. Stems are strongly
aromatic with a scent reminiscent of apple.
The species occurs naturally in western Europe
from Italy and Spain northward to Belgium
and southern England. It is sometimes grown
as a lawn plant and in Europe is cultivated
for the pharmaceutical industry.
Matricaria recutita (Matricaria chamomilla) (Wild Chamomile):
Other names: Fr.: Camomille commune; It.:
Camomilla comune; Sp.: Manzanilla comun;
Ger.: Kamille; Dtch.: Kamille; Russ.: Romanashka
sodachia
An annual aromatic herb similar in appearance
to Chamomile but with more erect glabrous
stems, 15-60 cm tall and sparser foliage.
The stems are normally much branched with
2-3 pinnate leaves. The flower heads are
1-2.5 cm in diameter with yellowish-green
bracts. The ray florets bend backwards, tubular
disc florets are simple without scales and
the conical receptacle is hollow. This species
has a far wider natural distribution than
chamomile, extending over the whole of temperate
Europe, but becoming rarer in the North (Scotland,
Scandinavia), and ranging well into Asia.
It is cultivated as a field crop.
Details of Quality Characteristics
Chamaemelum nobilis: Both the flower and the upper parts of
the green herb contain an essential oil which
gives the plant its characteristic odour.
The plant has reputed revitalising and health
giving properties. It yields an essential
oil which is light blue when fresh and is
used for flavouring liqueurs. Chamomile tea
is an infusion of the flower heads and is
an old fashioned tonic, reputedly soothing
and good for the digestion. The whole herb
can be used for making herb beers.
The main constituents of the oil are chamazulene,
sequiterpene alcohols, caprinic acid and
ester. Like all essential oils Anthemis nobilis is a complex mixture of hundreds of volatile
organic compounds. Some are derived directly
from the plant material relatively unchanged
and others are artefacts of the distillation
process. The principal constituents are angelates
and tiglates with some pinene.
The single flowered form is the most potent
medicinally, though it can in large doses
damage the lining of the stomach and bowels.
For this reason, the double flowered form
is usually preferred since this contains
less alkaloid that causes the problem.
Matricaria recutita: In this species the essential oil is only
present in the flower. The extracted oils
from the two species are very different,
Matricaria oil is inky blue and somewhat viscous with
a rather grassy pungent aroma that some people
find unpleasant.
The blue coloration of the oil ‘greens’ with
age by oxidation of the chamazulene. Keeping
the oil in a tightly sealed container with
as little air as possible will greatly prolong
‘shelf life’. If sealed and looked after
the oil will last at least three years or
more. After some years, or in poor storage
conditions the oil will ‘yellow’ and develop
a flat or stale aroma.
Current Production and Yields
The yield of Anthemis nobilis oil varies from 0.4-1.25t/ha with an average
of about 0.75t/ha (ADAS 1980). During 1996
Anthemis nobilis in Oxfordshire yielded 3 kg of oil per hectare
(Wells 1996). According to Gildemeister and
Hoffmann (Guenther1952) steam distillation
of the whole plant of Anthemis nobilis yields from 0.2 - 0.35 % oil. Flowering
heads alone give a
higher yield of up to 1%. Currently only
small amounts of the crop are cultivated
in Europe. In the UK annual production is
generally in the range of 100-200 ha. Germany
is currently producing around 800ha annually
for harvest.
Estimated world market for German Chamomile
of £3.6M is currently being met, also Roman
Chamomile currently has a relatively low
value on the world market which is estimated
at £2M.
Constraints upon Production
To make this a viable crop work is required
on harvesting technology, seed selection
and breeding, and distillation technology
amongst other things. Standards need to be
set for the quality of the oil as it is currently
so variable.
Markets and Market Potential
Both types of chamomile are processed to
extract the oil by steam distillation from
the flowering head. An essential oil from
the whole plant is used as a flavouring and
in perfumery. Flavourings can be used in
various foods such as ice cream, sweets,
baked goods, beverages and chewing gum.
The plants have been used as bitters, tonics,
insect repellents, and as a folk remedies
against asthma, colic, fevers, inflammations,
and cancer. German chamomile has been used
to induce sleep and as an anthelmintic. Roman
chamomile is a pharmaceutical aromatic bitter,
and chamazulene, obtained from German chamomile,
is a pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory and
antipyretic agent. Extracts of Roman chamomile
have shown antitumor activity and extracts
of German chamomile are reported to have
antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal
properties. Chamomile tea also helps to relieve
morning sickness during pregnancy, speed
healing of wounds or ulcers and aid digestion
if consumed after a meal. The pleasant, refreshing
taste of chamomile tea ensures a continuing
demand that far exceeds specific medical
use. For a fully comprehensive list of potential
medicinal uses see http://www.chamomile.co.uk/uses.htm
The plant may be powdered and mixed with
boiling water to stimulate the stomach, remedy
nervousness and stimulate menstrual flow,
and also as a general tonic. The flowers
can be used to relieve pain; chamomile tea
may be taken as a soothing sedative.
The flowers are an ingredient of 'QR' herbal
compost activator. This is a dried and powdered
mixture of several herbs that can be added
to a compost heap in order to speed up bacterial
activity and thus shorten the time needed
to make the compost. Yellow to gold dyes
are obtained from the flowers.
The extract from the plant can be used to
lighten and condition the hair, also applied
after washing the hair will appear brighter.
The whole plant is insect repellent both
when growing and when dried. Planted close
to cucumbers chamomile will repel insects
and increase crop yields.
Chamomile in tea may cause toxic reactions
in individuals sensitive to ragweed or allergens.
The chamomiles can also cause contact dermatitis.
Other Information
Chamaemelum nobilis
The plant generally occurs on light, sandy
soils on grassy heathland and roadside banks.
It is cultivated for its strong and distinctly
apple-scented leaves. In the UK the chamomile
year begins in autumn with either new plantings
or tidying up of existing plantings ready
for the winter. Chamomile has a vigorous
rooting system and plants will soon establish
and develop in all but the most freezing
conditions. By early spring both root and
stem growth is rapid. Mature plantations,
that have been thoroughly mowed back after
harvest will sprout new vegetative growth
in the autumn and all through the winter.
As the days lengthen the plants are triggered
into their flowering phase and upward growth
accelerates with individual flower buds held
on the tip of the now upward-turning flower
stems. Chamomile is very light sensitive
following the sun during the course of the
day and closing the flower at night or during
dull or rainy weather. Flowers are harvested
in the summer, timing is important as plant
parts flower at different times, the optimum
time must therefore be carefully selected
for harvest. Harvest should take place during
sunshine but where possible extreme heat
should be avoided. After harvest the rows
are cleaned and if necessary harrowed, within
weeks the September rains will have stimulated
a re-greening of the plantation ready for
the next year’s growth.
C.v. Treneague is used in lawns and banks.
The plant is tolerant of frost to –15ºC and
of a range of soils, although preferably
acidic. Full sun is preferred except in hot,
dry climates where midday shade is necessary.
Roman Chamomile is usually propagated by
root division and German Chamomile by seeds
directly in early spring. Small flies are
the chief insect-visitors to the flowers.
Matricaria recutita is an abundant weed of sandy and loamy soils
or waste places.
Research
Research is required in areas such as variety
selection and husbandry techniques to increase
yields in the future. Oil quality also needs
to be improved and standards need to be set.
This will be done through improved seed source
and selection.
Useful Websites
BioMat Net
Norfolk Essential Oils Co-operative and The
English Chamomile Company, UK
UK Government Funded R&D on Crops for
Industrial and Energy Uses: Section 2 - Pharmaceuticals
and Other High Value Products
Contacts
English Chamomile Company
34/36 High Street
Northwold
Norfolk
IP26 5LA
(UK)
Tel: 01366 728922
Fax: 08701 343781
http://www.chamomile.co.uk
References
