Leung's Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics

chamomile, has been implicated in a case of
allergic contact dermatitis of the nipple.^43
The acute oral LD 50 of German or Roman
chamomile in rats is>5 g/kg; oral LD 50 of
German chamomile oil in mice is 2.5 mL/kg.
The oil of Roman chamomile lacks phototoxic
effects in animals, and neither oil showed
irritating nor sensitizing effects on human skin
(NEWALL).44,45Long-term oral toxicity studies
of German chamomile in dogs and rats found
no toxicity and no changes in pups from
prenatal dosing; also, no teratogenic effects
in rats after long-term administration; no tox-
icity from 3-week topical application on rab-
bits; no toxic effects from the oil applied to the
backs of hairless mice and limited irritation
applied for 24 h to the skin of rabbits.^1

USES

Medicinal, Pharmaceutical, and Cosmetic.
Both German chamomile and Roman cham-
omile extracts are used in pharmaceutical
preparations, with the former more fre-
quently used; they are used in antiseptic
ointments, creams, and gels to treat cracked
nipples, sore gums, inflammations, irritation
of the skin and mucosa, respiratory tract
inflammation, and for wound healing. The
volatile oils are used in carminative, anti-
spasmodic, and tonic preparations, among
others. An infusion or tincture of the flower-
heads is used for gastrointestinal spasms,
inflammatory conditions of the gastrointes-
tinal tract, and peptic ulcers, menstrual
disorders, in addition to mild sleep disor-
ders, especially in children (BRADLY;
ESCOP1;WICHTL).^1
Extracts of both German and Roman cha-
momiles are used in cosmetics and body care
products including bath preparations, hair dye
formulas (for blond hair), shampoos, sun-
screenpreparations,mouthwashes,andothers.
The oils are used as fragrance components or
activeingredientsinsoaps,detergents,creams,
lotions, and perfumes. Use levels reported
range from a low of 0.0005% in detergents to
a maximum of 0.4% in perfumes; considered

deodorant and stimulative to skin metabolism

(BLUMENTHAL1).^1

Food. The essential oils and extracts of

bothGerman and Romanchamomiles are used

as flavor components in most major food

categories, including alcoholic (bitters, ver-

mouths, Benedictine liqueurs, etc.) and non-

alcoholic beverages, frozen dairy desserts,

candy, baked goods, and gelatins and pud-

dings. Average maximum use levels reported

are usually less than 0.002% for the oils.

Dietary Supplements/Health Foods. Ger-

man chamomile and to a lesser extent Roman

chamomile crude flower heads or extracts are

one of the most widely used herb tea ingre-

dients, singly or in combination with other

ingredients. Topical products are used in cos-

metics against inflammation. Tinctures and

extracts are used as mild sleep aids, antispas-

modics, and digestive aids (FOSTER).

Traditional Medicine. An infusion of Ger-

man chamomile is used in Turkish folk medi-

cine to treat bronchitis and as a laxative and

digestive. A compress containing the infusion

is applied to treat eye strain and to clean the

eyes and face of babies.^37 Since ancient times,

German chamomile has been used in treating

colic, diarrhea, malarial symptoms, depres-

sion, indigestion, flatulence, insomnia, infan-

tile convulsions in teething, mouth sores,

toothache, bleeding and swollen gums, sore

throat, and other ailments, usually in the

form of an infusion, decoction, or tincture.

Also used for sciatica, gout, lumbago, skin

problems, and inflammation in the form of

compresses.^1

Roman chamomile is used essentially for

the same purposes (WICHTL). Both German

and Roman chamomiles have reportedly been

used against cancers.^46

COMMERCIAL PREPARATIONS

Crude, extracts, and volatile oils. German

chamomile was formerly official in N.F., and

172 Chamomile (german and roman)