German Chamomile and Chamomilum nobile (Roman Chamomile) are the two varieties of chamomile, one of the most ancient medicinal herbs known to mankind. Traditional uses of chamomile as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and astringent are well known. In the form of an aqueous extract or as herbal tea, it was used as a mild sedative and as an anxiolytic.

Cosmetic use

Essential oils of chamomile are used extensively in cosmetics and aromatherapy. Chamomile is processed in many forms as extracts, infusions or essential oils and is included in cosmetics for its anti-inflammatory property.

The plant contains 0.24% to 1.9% volatile oil composed of a variety of separate oils. Approximately 120 secondary metabolites have been identified in chamomile, including 28 terpenoids and 36 flavonoids. The principal components of the essential oil extracted from the German chamomile flowers are the terpenoids α-bisabolol and its oxide azulenes, including chamazulene and acetylene derivatives. Other active ingredients are flavonoids, apigenin and bisabolol (inhibit inflammatory leukotrienes).