Chamaemelum nobile commonly known as chamomile or under its synonym Anthemis nobilis, Roman chamomile, English chamomile, garden chamomile, ground apple, low chamomile, mother's daisy or whig plant, is a low perennial plant found in dry fields and around gardens and cultivated grounds in Europe, North America, and in Argentina. C. nobile is, along with Matricaria chamomilla, an important source of the herbal product known as chamomile.
Description
Chamaemelum nobile has daisy-like white flowers and procumbent stems; the leaves are alternate, bipinnate, finely dissected, and downy to glabrous. The solitary, terminal flowerheads, rising above the ground, consist of prominent yellow disk flowers and silver-white ray flowers. The flowering time in the Northern Hemisphere is June and July, and its fragrance is sweet, crisp, fruity and herbaceous. Although the plant is often confused with German chamomile, its morphology, properties and chemical composition are markedly different.
Etymology
The word chamomile, and the genus nameChamaemelumcome from the Greek χαμαίμηλον, "earth-apple", from χαμαί, "on the ground" + μήλον, "apple", so-called because of the apple-like scent of the plant.. The plant obtained the name "nobile" because of its putative therapeutic properties, which were believed to be better than those of the German chamomile
History
Roman chamomile is known as a medicinal plant from the middle ages. The European cultivation of the plant started in England in the 16th century. The plant was listed first in the pharmacopoeia of Würtenberg as a carminative, painkiller, diuretic and digestive aid.
Non-medicinal use
The plant is used to flavor foods, in herbal teas, perfumes, and cosmetics. It is used to make a rinse for blonde hair, and is popular in aromatherapy; its practitioners believe it to be a calming agent to reduce stress and aid in sleep. It can also be used to create a fragrant chamomile lawn. A chamomile lawn needs light soil, adequate moisture, and sun in order to thrive. Each square meter contains 83-100 plants. The lawn is only suitable to light foot traffic or in places where mower access is difficult.
Folk medicine
In folk medicine, it may be applied directly to the skin for pain and swelling, but there is no good evidence it has any beneficial effect. It is not recommended to take orally during pregnancy as it can cause uterine contractions and miscarriage. There are no known interactions with other herbs and supplements or foods.
