De Roomse Kamille, Chamaemelum nobile, is een vrij algemeen plantje dat in gematigde gebieden overal in Europa groeit en veel wordt geteeld in Hongarije en Frankrijk. De naam Anthemis nobilis stamt uit het Grieks en betekent `edele bloem`. Roomse Kamille is milder dan Echte Kamille, de essentiële olie is daarom beter geschikt voor kinderen
De geur doet denken aan die van appel en in Spanje wordt deze Kamille gebruikt bij de bereiding van een sherry die ``appeltje`` genoemd wordt. Dit is tevens de Spaanse naam voor de Kamille.
Ook de Roomse Kamille wordt van oudsher gebruikt vanwege zijn heilzame eigenschappen, o.a. kalmerende invloed op ogen en huid, en spijsverteringsbevorderend.
De etherische olie wordt verkregen door waterdampdistillatie van de bloeiende toppen en dit bij lage druk.
De olie kan ook gedestilleerd worden uit gedroogde bloemen, deze olie heeft dan een vaalblauwe kleur die langzaam verkleurt naar groengeel.
Kamille is één van de negen Saksische heilige kruiden, die maythen genoemd worden.
Uit wetenschappelijke onderzoekingen is gebleken dat de werking van Roomse kamille etherische olie milder is dan die van de Echte kamille en is daarom in lage doseringen bijzonder geschikt voor kinderen, vooral als deze pijn of angst hebben.
Roomse Kamille essentiële olie wordt in de aromatherapie o.a. gebruikt bij; allergieën, eczeem, psoriasis, jeuk, acne/jeugdpuistjes, herpes, wondjes, zweertjes, slijmvorming in de neus, stijve spieren en gewrichten, weinig eetlust, hoofdpijn, migraine, huiduitslag, menstruatieklachten, depressies, slapeloosheid, hysterie, nervositeit, steenpuisten, insectenbeten, overgangsklachten, spit, oogklachten, menstruatie pijnen, prikkelbaarheid, stress en spijsverteringsstoornissen.
Roomse Kamille werkt koortswerend en verlichtend bij buikpijn, stijve spieren en gewrichten.
Deze Kamille olie kan uitstekend voor huisdieren worden gebruikt, toe te passen bij stress en angst.
kompres bij maag-darmkrampen, verharde spieren, spit; voeg 4 druppels Roomse kamille etherische olie toe aan 2 liter heet water, doop hierin een klein handdoekje, wring het uit en leg het zo heet mogelijk op de pijnlijke plek. De warmtewerking kan versterkt worden door een warmwaterzak op het kompres te leggen. Eventueel aan te vullen met 2 druppels lavendel of 2 druppels rozemarijn.
Anthemis nobilis L. (syn. Anthemis odorata Lamk.; Chamaemelum nobile L., All.; Chamaemelum odoratum Dod.; Chamomilla nobilis God.; Leucanthemum odoratum Eid. Ap.; Ormenis nobilis Gay), so-called Roman chamomile, is a perennial herb of the Asteraceae family. It is native to the southwest of Europe (France, Spain, and Portugal), and has spread all over the Europe. It is also present in southwest Asia (De Langhe et al. 1983; Bezanger-Beauquesne et al. 1986).
The plant reaches a height of 15 to 30 cm and gene rally flowers from June to September. A. nobilis plants are cultivated in the south of England, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Egypt, and Argentina.
In France (Anjou) more than 160 ha are devoted to this cultivation; the production yield is about 1 ton of dry flowers per ha (Bezanger-Beauquesne et al. 1986). As a result ofbreeding, some ofthe tubular florets present in the wild plant have become ligulated, and it is these "double" or "semi-double" flower heads which form the commercial drug. The double variety (cultivar) is the main source of the commercial drug
today, and has been certainly known since the 18th century; it is sterile, and is propagated vegetatively by suckering. The flowers are collected in dry weather and dried; storage is achieved in the absence of humidity (oxidation of polyphenols).
The morphological characteristics and chemical composition of the flower heads of the cultivar variety are different from those of the wild plant. Whole plants, particularly flowers, have a strong aromatic odor and a bitter taste. The Roman chamomile drug is described in several pharmacopeia, where it is indicated that the drug can be falsified by Chrysanthemum parthenium L. and M atricaria maritima flowers.
The complete dried flowers are sold by herbalists, while damaged ones are used for the production of essential oil by distillation. One kilogram of fresh flowers yields approximately 1-2g. of essential oil. The production quantities rarely exceed 500 kg of essential oil per year (Arctander 1960; Guenther 1975).
1 Faculte des Sciences Agronomiques, VER Chirnie Generale et Organique, Passage des Deportes 2,
5030 Gembloux, Belgium
2 Laboratory of Plant Morphology, Vniversite Libre de Bruxelles. Chaussee de Wavre 1850, 1160
Brussels, Belgium
3 Tsukuba Medicinal Plant Research Station, National Institute of Health Sciences, 1 Hachimandai,
Tsukuba; Ibaraki 305, Japan
References
Achterrath-Tuckermann U, Kunde R, Flaskamp E, Isaac O, Thiemer K (1980) Pharmacological investigations with compounds of chamomile. Planta Med 39: 38–50PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Arctander S (ed) (1960) Perfume and flavor materials of natural origin. Elizabeth, New Jersey, pp 157–158Google Scholar
Basey K, Woolley JG (1973a) Biosynthesis of the tigloyl esters of Datura: cis-transisomerism. Phytochemistry 12: 2883–2886CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Basey K, Woolley JG (1973b) Biosynthesis of the tigloyl esters in Datura: the role of 2-methylbutyric acid. Phytochemistry 12: 2197–2201CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bezanger-Beauquesne L, Pinkas M, Torck M (eds) (1986) Les plantes dans la thérapeutique moderne. Maloine SA, Paris, pp 11–283Google Scholar
Biechi C, Frattini C, Raverdino V (1987) Considerations and remarks on the analysis of Anthemis nobilis L. essential oil by capillary gas chromatography and `hyphenated’ techniques. J Chromatogr 411: 237–249CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chaumont JP (1969) A propos des polyphénols (flavonoïdes, acides-phénols, coumarines) des capitules de camomille romaine (Anthemis nobilis L.). Plant Méd Phytothér 3 (3): 167–174Google Scholar
Committee on Codex Specification (1981) Food chemicals codex. National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 81 ppGoogle Scholar
Debelmas J, Besson Ph, Hérisset A (1966) Essais de “lyophilisation industrielle” de plantes médicinales, II. Camomille romaine (Anthemis nobilis L.). Ann Pharm Fr 24: 587–592PubMedGoogle Scholar
De Langhe JE, Delvosalle L, Duvigneaud J, Lambinon J, Van den Berghen C (1983) Nouvelle flore de la Belgique, du Grand-Duché du Luxembourg et du Nord de la France et des régions voisines. Patrimoine du Jardin Botanique National de Belgique, Meise, Belgium, pp 630631Google Scholar
Della Loggia R (1986) The role of flavonoids in the antiinflammatory activity of Chamomilla recutita. In: Cody V, Middleton J Jr, Harborne JB (eds) Plant flavonoids in biology and medicine: biological pharmacological, and structure-activity relationships. Alan R Liss, New York, pp 481–484Google Scholar
Duke A (1987) Handbook of medicinal herbs. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 111 ppGoogle Scholar
Estruch JJ, Schell J, Spena A (1991) The protein encoded by the rol B plant oncogene hydrolyses indole glucosides. EMBO J 10: 3125–3128PubMedGoogle Scholar
Fauconnier ML, Jaziri M, Marlier M, Roggemans J, Wathelet JP, Lognay G, Severin M, Homés J, Shimomura K (1993) Essential oil production by Anthemis nobilis L. tissue culture. J. Plant Physiol 141: 759–761CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fischer R (1969) Praktikum der Pharmakognosie. In: Fisher R (ed) Springer Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 78–82Google Scholar
Fukui H, Tani M, Tabata M (1990) Induction of shikonin biosynthesis by endogenous polysaccharides in Lithospermum erythrorhizon cell suspension cultures. Plant Cell Rep 9: 73–76CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gamborg OL, Miller RA, Ojima K (1968) Nutrient requirements of soybean root cells. Exp Cell Res 50: 151–158PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Guenther E (1975) The essential oils. RE Krieger, Huntington, New York, pp 433–437Google Scholar
Hall 1H, Lee KH, Starnes CO (1979) Antiinflammatory activity of sesquiterpene lactones and related compounds. J Pharm Sci 68: 537–542CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hérisset A, Chaumont JP, Paris R (1970) Les polyphénols de la camomille romaine. Pl. Méd. Phytothér. 4: 189–200Google Scholar
Hérisset A, Jolivet J, Rey P (1972) Différenciation de quelques huiles essentielles présentant une constitution voisine. 6. Essences de camomille romaine (Anthemis nobilisL.) et de matricaire (Matricaria chamomilla L.). Plant Méd Phytothér 6 (3): 194–203Google Scholar
Hérisset A, Chaumont JP, Paris R (1973) Les flavonoides de la camomille romaine (Anthemis nobilis L), variété simple. Plantes médicinales et phytothérapie 7 (3): pp 234–240Google Scholar
Isaac O, Kristen G (1980) Alte und neue Wege der Kamillentherapie. Die Kamille als Beispiel für moderne Arzneipflanzen-Forschung. Med Welt 31: 1145–1149Google Scholar
Klimes I, Lamparsky D (1984) Unsatured components in the essential oil of Anthemis nobilis L. ( Roman chamomile ). Perfumer Flavorist 9: 2–13Google Scholar
Klimes I, Lamparsky D, Scholz E (1981) Vorkommen neuer bifunktioneller Ester in RömischKamillenöl (Anthemis nobilis L.). Helv Chim Acta 64 (7): 2338–2349CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Leclerc H (1992) Précis de phytothérapie. Essais de thérapeutique par les plantes françaises. Masson, Paris, pp 170–171Google Scholar
Leung AY (1980) Encyclopedia of common natural ingredients used in foods, drugs and cosmetics. John Wiley, New York, 110–112Google Scholar
Lindsey K, Yeoman MM (1986) Immobilised plant cells. In: Yeoman MM (ed) Plant cell culture technology. Blackwell, Oxford, pp 304–315Google Scholar
Maier R, Carle R, Kreis W, Reinhard E (1993) Purification and characterization of a flavone 7–0-glucoside-specific glucosidase from ligulate florests of Chamomilla recutita. Planta Med 59: 436–441PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mayer R, Rucker G (1987) Plant peroxide compounds III. 1-hydroperoxyisonobiline, a new hydroperoxide from roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis L.). Arch Pharm 320: 318— 322 McGaw BA, Woolley JG (1979) The biosynthesis of angelic acid in Cynoglossum officinale. Phytochemistry 18: 1647–1649Google Scholar
Melegari M, Albasini A, Pecorari P, Vampa G, Rinaldi M, Rossi T, Bianchi A (1988) Chemical characteristics and pharmacological properties of the essential oils of Anthemis nobilis. Fitoterapia 59: 449–445Google Scholar
Mulder-Krieger TH, Verpoorte R, Baerheim-Svendsen A, Scheffer JJC (1988) Production of essential oils and flavors in plant cell and tissue cultures. A review. Plant Cell Tissue Organ Cult 13: 85154Google Scholar
Murashige T, Skoog F (1962) A revised medium for rapid growth and bioassays with tobacco tissue cultures, Physiol Plant 15: 473–497CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nano GM, Sacco T, Frattini C (1973) Ricerche sur genre Anthemis Promis contributo. Essenze Deriv Agrum 93: 107–114Google Scholar
Paris RR, Moyse H (1971) Précis de matière médicale, Vol III. Pharmacognosie spéciale dicotylédones (suite) gamopétales. ( Janot MM, ed) Masson, Paris, pp 402–406Google Scholar
Pietta P, Mauri P, Bruno A, Rava A, Manera E, Ceva R (1991) Identification of flavonoids from Ginkgo biloba L, Anthemis nobilis L. and Equisetum arvense L. by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array UV detection. J Chromatogr 553: 223CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Proserpio G, Martelli A, Petri GF (1983) Elementi di Fitocosmesi. SEPEM, Milan, pp 649–650 Rodriguez E, Towers GHN, Mitchell JC (1976) Biological activities of sesquiterpene lactones. Phytochemistry 15: 1573–1580Google Scholar
Rovesti P, Boni U, Patri G (1983) Le Erbe, Fabbri SpA, Milan, pp 142–145Google Scholar
Rucker G, Mayer R, Kang Ro Le (1989) Hydroperoxides from the blossoms of Roman camomile (Anthemis nobilis L.). Arch pharm 322: 821–826CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schmülling T, Schell J, Spena A (1988) Single genes from Agrobacterium rhizogenesinfluence plant development. EMBO J 7: 2621–2629PubMedGoogle Scholar
Schröder G, Waffenschmidt S, Weiler EW, Schröder J (1984) The T-region of Ti plasmids, codes for an enzyme synthesizing indole-3- acetic acid. Eur J Biochem 138: 387–391PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shaath N, De Deian-Johnson S, Griffin PM (1989) The analysis of chamomille roman. In: Proc 11th Cong on Essential oil, fragrances and flavors, chemistry analysis and structure. New Delhi, Vol 4, pp 207–213Google Scholar
Spencer A, Hamill JD, Michael J, Rhodes MJC (1990a) Production of terpenes by differentiated shoot cultures of Mentha citrata transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens, T37. Plant Cell Rep 8: 601–604CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Spencer A, Hamill JD, Reynold J, Rhodes MJC (1990b) Production of terpenes by transformed differentiated shoot culture of Mentha piperita citrata and Mentha piperita vulgaris In: Nijkamp HJJ, Van der Plas LHW, Van Aartrijk J (eds) Progress in plant cellular and molecule biology. Kluwer, Dordrecht, pp 619–624Google Scholar
Szöke E, Verzar-Petri G, Kuzovkina IN, Lemberkovich E, Keri A (1978) The production of essential oils in the callus tissue of wild camomile. Fiziol Rast 25 (1): 41–57Google Scholar
Thomas AF, Schouwey M, Egger JC (1981) Homologues of p-menthane derivatives in Roman chamomile. Helv Chim Acta 64 (5): 1488–1495CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All. (syn. Anthemis nobilis L.; Anthemis odorata Lamk.; Chamaemelum odoratum Dod.; Chamomilla nobilis God.) the so-called Roman chamomile, is a perennial herb of the Asteraceae family. It is native to the Southwest Europe (France, Spain and Portugal) but the plant is present in all over Europe, North Africa and Southwest Asia. The plant is cultivated mainly in England,Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Egypt and Argentina.
Although the Commission E did not approve Roman chamomile flower (Blumenthal et al., 1998) for an evidence-based phytotherapeutic application, the drug is listed and described in several pharmacopoeias (Barnes et al., 2002) and stated to possess carminative, anti-emetic, antispasmodic, and sedative properties. It has been used for dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting, anorexia, vomiting of pregnancy, dysmenorrhoea, and specifically for flatulent dyspepsia associated with mental stress (Bisset, 1994) (Bradley, 1992).
Roman chamomile is listed by the Council of Europe as a natural source of food flavouring (category N2). This category indicates that Roman chamomile can be added to foodstuffs in small quantities, with a possible limitation of an active principle (as yet unspecified) in
the final product (Barnes et al., 2002). Chamomile is commonly used as an ingredient of herbal teas. Previously, Roman chamomile has been listed as GRAS (Generally Recognised As Safe) (Leung, 1980) by the FDA. Most GRAS substances have no quantitative restrictions as to use, although their use must conform to good manufacturing practices. In case of roman chamomile, no restriction is noted (FDA, 2010).
Historical data on medicinal use
Information on period of medicinal use in the Community
The name Chamaemelum was first used by Dioscurides (Hiller and Melzig, 1999). However, according to Evans (1989), it has proved impossible to trace back the drug in classical writings, because of thelarge number of similar Asteraceae plants.
Roman chamomile is known as a medicinal plant from the middle ages. The name Roman chamomile was first bestowed upon the plant by Joachim Camerarius in 1598, after observing it growing a bundantly near Rome (Abramson et al., 2010). The European cultivation of the plant started in England in 16th century (Hiller and Melzig, 1999). The plant obtained the name “nobile” (Latin, noble) because of its therapeutic properties, which were stated to be better then those of the German chamomile (Hiller and Melzig, 1999). The double variety of the flower, which serves now as the main commercial drug, was certainly known from the 18th century (Evans, 1989). The plant was listed first in the pharmacopoeia of Würtenberg (1741) as a carminative, painkiller, diuretic and digestive aid (Lukacs, 1990).
Augustin et al. (1948) mention Chamomillae romanae flos as a herbal drug applied both internally (dyspeptic complaints, symptoms associated with menstruation) and externally (skin problems). In the book of Rápóti and Romváry (1974), the application of the herbal drug to relieve dyspeptic complaints and flatulence is cited. In the present Roman chamomile flower is an official drug of several pharmacopoeias including Ph. Eur.6 (2008).
Roman chamomile–based preparations are used orally for the symptomatic treatment of gastrointestinal disorders such as epigastric bloating, impaired digestion, eructation, flatulence, and as an adjunct in the treatment of the painful component of functional digestive symptoms. Topically, it is an emollient and itch-relieving adjunct in the treatment of skin disorders and a trophic protective agent from cracks, abrasions, frostbites, chaps and insect bites. It may be used for eye irritation or discomfort of various etiologies.
Furthermore, uses as an analgesic in diseases of the oral cavity, oropharynx or both and as a mouthwash for oral hygiene has been documented (Bisset, 1994) (Bruneton, 1999).
The uses of Roman chamomile that are described in the Commission E monograph (Blumenthal et al., 1998) are similar: dyspepsia and inflammation of the mouth.
The drug and its extracts are ingredients of colour-lightening shampoos (perhaps due to its peroxide content) (Bruneton, 1999).
Chamomillae romanae flos is included in the British Herbal Compendium (BHC) Volume 1 published in 1992 with specified indications and posology. According to BHC, Chamomillae romanae flos has been applied in Belgium, France and Germany with specified indications at least since 1991, 1990 and 1986, respectively (Bradley, 1992).
Specified strength/posology/route of administration/duration of use for relevant preparations and indications
In the British Herbal Compendium (BHC) Volume 1, published in 1992 the indications and posologies of Roman chamomile flower are as follow:
- Internally: dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting of pregnancy irritable bowel. Posology: dried flower heads, 1.5-3 g or in infusion, three times daily; 1.5-3 ml liquid extract (DER 1:1, 70% ethanol); 3-5 ml tincture (DER 1:5 45% ethanol)
- Topically: inflammations of the skin and oral mucosa, minor wounds and abrasions. Posology: as infusion in poultices or mouthwashes; semi-solid preparations containing 5-15% of the drug orequivalent (Bradley, 1992).
According to Newall et al. (1996), the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia published in 1983 contained the dried flowerheads of Chamaemelum nobile and a liquid extract of the herbal substance (DER 1:1, 70% ethanol). The posology of the herbal substance is 1-4 g by infusion three times daily and 1-4 ml three times daily, respectively.
In the 1974 edition of the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, dried flowerheads of Chamaemelum nobile, liquid extract (DER 1:1, 70% ethanol) are included with the indications: flatulent dyspepsia associated with mental stress. Dosage: thrice daily 1-4 g herbal substance by infusion or 1-4 ml of liquid extract thrice daily (BHP, 1974).
In Germany, according to the Standardzulassung No. 1069.99.99 (published 12. 3. 86 for a standard medicinal tea) the labelling must include: Indications: Complains such as bloatedness, flatulence and mild, spasmodic gastro-intestinal disorders; inflammations of the mouth and throat. Dosage
instructions and mode of use: Pour hot water (ca. 150 ml) over a tablespoonful (2 to 3 g) of Roman Chamomile Flower and after about 10 minutes pass through a tea strainer. Unless otherwise prescribed, drink a cup of freshly prepared, warm tea 3 to 4 times daily between meals or use as a
mouth and throat wash (Bradley, 1992).
In Belgium (according to Circulaire No. 367 of July 1991) the indications for this drug must be stated as:
Traditionally used in the symptomatic treatment of digestive disorders, although its activity has not been proved in accordance with the current evaluation criteria for medicines.
Or:
Traditionally used topically as an emollient and/or antalgesic and/or antiseptic, although its activity hasnot been proved in accordance with the current evaluation criteria for medicines.
Or:
Traditionally used topically as a soothing and antipruriginous application for dermatological affections, although its activity has not been proved in accordance with the current evaluation criteria for medicines (Bradley, 1992).
In France, according to the Bulletin Officiel No. 90/22 bis. the applications of Roman chamomile flower are as follow:
- Internally: Traditionally used in the treatment of digestive disorders such as: epigastric distension; sluggishness of the digestion; belching; flatulence. Traditionally used as adjuvant treatment for the painful component of spasmodic colitis.
- Topically: Traditionally used topically as a soothing and antipruriginous application for dermatological ailments, as protective treatment for cracks, grazes, chaps and against insect bites. Traditionally used in cases of ocular irritation or discomfort due to various causes (smoky atmosphere, sustained visual effort, bathes in the sea or swimming pool etc.). Traditionally used topically (mouth and throat washes,
pastilles) as an anodyne for affections of the buccal cavity and/or the oropharynx. Traditionally used topically in mouth washes, for oral hygiene (Bradley, 1992).
Dosages for oral administration (adults) for traditional uses recommended in standard herbal reference texts are given below.
Dried flowerheads 1–4 g as an infusion, three to four times daily (Barnes et al., 2002) (Bisset, 1994).
Preparation: To prepare a decoction, add 1-4 g drug to 100-150 ml water. An infusion is prepared using 7 to 8 capitula per cup (PDR, 2000).
A 3% infusion is made for external use (Bisset, 1994).
When used as a bath additive, add 50 g to 10 litres of water. Liquid rubs are applied as poultices or washes 2 to 3 times daily (PDR, 2000).
Liquid extract 1–4 ml (1:1 in 70% alcohol), three times daily (Barnes et al., 2002).