Roman, or English, chamomile reportedly reduces intestinal gas, calms muscle spasms, quells nausea and vomiting, induces a mild sedation, and has anti-inflammatory effects on skin and mucous membranes. Because of the similarity of its volatile oils, Roman chamomile acts similarly, if not identical to, German chamomile (Matricaria recutita). It is used less often, however, because there exists less scientific documentation of its therapeutic effects. The origin of its many applications is largely empirical. Nevertheless, its high demand exceeds crop yields in native northern European countries, and chamomile is now exported from Argentina and Egypt.

At the dawn of the 20th century, chamomile was used as a folk medicine to restore tranquility and calm. Although more apt to be regarded in the United States as a pleasant-tasting tea with a nice aroma, chamomile is used medicinally today in Europe. There it is used not only as a mild sedative, but also as a tonic to speed recovery from numerous ailments. In particular, indications for use are indigestion caused by nervousness or mental stress accompanied by flatulence.

Roman chamomile differs from German chamomile in that the receptacle below the flower head is solid instead of hollow, and its leaf segments are thicker. The plant itself is lower to the ground. Double or semi-double flower heads are used in the commercial preparation of volatile oil. Both chamomiles share cosmetic, beverage, and food use; chamomile oils are added to hair dyes, ointments, shampoos, soaps, perfumes, liqueurs, and baked goods.

Perennial herb with a creeping rhizome. Grows low to the ground but sometimes reaches up to one foot in height. Stems are hairy, and either drooping or erect. Grayish-green leaves are alternate, segmented. Flower heads emit an apple-like fragrance. Disk flowers yellow, ray flowers white, and the cone-shaped receptacle is solid. Roman chamomile is native to northwestern Europe and Northern Ireland but has been cultivated throughout Europe, the United States, and parts of South America.

• Flower

0.4% to 1.75% volatile oil containing angelic and tiglic acid esters; 1,8-cineole, farnesol, nerolidol, sesquiterpenes chamazulene, alpha-bisabolol; amyl/isobutlyl alcohols; flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, and their glycosides); coumarins, anthemic acid, phenolic/fatty acids; phytosterol. Chamazulene is formed from matricin upon steam distillation. Volatile oil is blue.

Crude dried flowers are available to buy in bulk; also, tea, tincture; Roman chamomile may be an additive in topical ointments and cosmetics.

• Traditional: tonic, stomachic, diaphoretic, soporific, antispasmodic, and folk remedy for colic
• Conditions: ulcer, gastritis, slow-healing wounds, heartburn
• Clinical applications: Roman chamomile is used alone or as a component of a number of European treatments for heartburn, anorexia, postprandial bloating and fullness, nausea, newborn colic, spastic constipation, menstrual disorders, frontal sinus catarrh, hay fever, nasal and pharyngeal mucositis, ear inflammation, wounds, burns, rashes, bedsores, hemorrhoids, Romeheld's syndrome, and diseases of the liver and gallbladder. Due to lack of documentation, these uses are not approved by the German Commission E.

In experiments with rats, Roman chamomile has been shown to reduce carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, a standard test for anti-inflammatory activity. Rat tests also demonstrate Roman chamomile-induced sedative and antidiuretic effects. Antitumor and cytotoxic activity have been demonstrated in vitro for various chamomile constituents. Farnesol is sedative and spasmolytic in vitro; and apigenin is associated with reductions in inflammation, spasm, and infection. However, Roman chamomile has not been tested as extensively as German chamomile, and it occurs as an unapproved botanical in the German Commission E monographs because of the lack of human data.

The volatile oil of Roman chamomile contains the same active constituents as German chamomile, and Commission E notwithstanding, it has been assumed to have similar pharmacological actions.

Chamomiles are used in Europe in dermatology, pulmonology, pediatrics, gynecology, gastroenterology, and otolaryngology. Their actions span a broad range of therapeutics, blocking convulsion, microbes, sepsis, inflammation, spasms, and viruses. Tests on humans demonstrate that German chamomile reduces inflammations in mucous membranes and on the skin that may be due to cuts, burns, yeasts, or other fungal growths. When it is inhaled, the volatile oil quells respiratory inflammations associated with colds. Investigations demonstrate that these actions are stimulated by volatile oil constituents chamazulene and alpha-bisabolol, and flavonoids and coumarins, also found in Roman chamomile.

To reduce intestinal colic, flatulence, digestive disturbance, lack of appetite, painful menstruation, gingivitis, or oral inflammation, choose from the following.

• Dried flowers, as tea, 1 to 4 g tid
• 70% alcohol extract, 1 to 4 ml tid

For hemorrhoids/skin inflammation, add a few teabags or chamomile tincture to bathwater. Ointments should contain 3% to 10% crude drug.

Roman chamomile has a class 2b safety rating from the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA). Class 2b indicates that the AHPA advises against use during pregnancy, and lists it as a potential abortifacient due to its action on uterine smooth muscle and tendency to induce menstruation when taken at high doses. Normal dietary intake of Roman chamomile in tea is not associated with these actions. Roman chamomile in high doses may also stimulate emesis, due to anthemic acid in the flower heads.

One case of anaphylaxis reportedly resulted from Roman chamomile tea ingestion in patients with ragweed allergy.

Avoid use in patients with known allergies to the aster family (ragweed). In laboratory tests, cross reactions were noted with German chamomile, yarrow, lettuce, and chrysanthemum. Allergic rhinitis may develop in patients with atopic reactions to mugwort.

Do not use during pregnancy or lactation.

No clinically significant interactions between Roman chamomile and conventional medications have been reported in the literature to date, including the German Commission E monograph (Blumenthal 1998). Although chamomile contains coumarins, interactions with anticoagulants have not been documented (Miller 1998). Patients taking chamomile while on anticoagulant therapy should be monitored closely.

Roman chamomile is on the General Sale List in England. The German Commission E does not approve of its medicinal use due to lack of demonstrated efficacy, but use of flower head as tea is permitted.

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