Chamomile

The colloquial name "chamomile" is used interchangeably for several different species. For example, it is mainly used for true or German chamomile (Chamomilla recutita), Roman chamomile (Chamaelum nobilis, Anthemis nobili = INCI name) and dog chamomile (Anthemis cotula L.).

True chamomile and Roman chamomile are important medicinal plants that differ chemically despite their similar modes of action. They are also used in cosmetic preparations.

Dog chamomile, also known as stinking dog chamomile, was used in folk medicine but no longer plays a phytotherapeutic role, mainly due to the highly sensitizing and locally irritating effect of the sesquiterpene lactone anthecotulide it contains. Anthecotulide is only found in small traces in true chamomile and Roman chamomile.