CHARACTERISTICS

It contains various chemical components including sesquiterpene alcohol, spirononene dicycloethers, sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, coumarins, mucilage, inulin-like fructan and rhamnogalacturonan.

The essential oil (0.3 – 1.5% of the dry head) concentrates different molecules: chamazulene, sesquiterpene lactone of guaianolide type, purple red chamavioline and pathulenol.

PROPERTIES

• Beneficial effects on the gastrointestinal tract:

A meta-analysis involving 273 patients and combining three placebo-controlled studies demonstrated the effectiveness of a preparation of nine herbs including German Chamomile in relieving symptoms of dyspepsia such as abdominal pain or heartburn. The preparation is safe for therapeutic use (MELZER & al., 2004).

In rats, this preparation has a dose-dependent anti-ulcerogenic effect associated with reduced acid and leukotriene production, increased mucin secretion and increased prostaglandin E2 release (KHAYYAL & al.,2001 ; 2006).

German Chamomile reduces the overgrowth of Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that causes gastric ulcers (SHIKOV & al., 2008). In addition, it inhibits the formation of gastric lesions induced by indomethacin and ethanol in rats (CEMEK & al., 2010 ; EL SOUDA & al., 2015).

It significantly protects in a dose-dependent manner against diarrhea and oxidative stress caused by castor oil in rats (SEBAI & al., 2014). It also reduces the symptoms of diarrhea in children treated in combination with different plants (DE LA MOTTE & al., 1997 ; WEIZMAN & al., 1993).

• Anti-inflammatory properties:

German Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties. It restricts the release of prostaglandin E2 induced by LPS. It inhibits the expression and enzymatic activity of COX-2 cyclooxygenase without affecting the expression of COX-1 in macrophages in vitro (SRIVASTAVA & al., 2009).

Two studies have shown the therapeutic efficacy of a cream containing 2% German Chamomile in reducing inflammatory symptoms in patients with atopic eczema on the hands, forearms and lower legs. This efficacy is similar to that of the cream containing 0.25% hydrocortisone (AERTGEERTS & al., 1985 ; RATZELT-WENCZLER & PONCE-PÖSCHL, 2000). It also improves wound healing (MCKAY & al., 2006).

• Antioxidant properties:

German Chamomile extract exhibits antioxidant activity and reduces the production of chemically active species. In addition, it decreases lipid peroxidation through various mechanisms (MIRAJ & ALESAEIDI, 2016 ; QUERIO & al., 2018).

• Spasmolytic and analgesic properties:

German Chamomile exhibits a spasmolytic effect by inhibiting cAMP-phosphodiesterase (MASCHI & al., 2008). In addition, it has analgesic effects in acute and chronic pain in rats and mice (KESMATI & al., 2007 ; GANJALI & al., 2012 ; NAUMAN & al., 2012).