Antiinflammatory chamomile

Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) recommended as a carminative, antiinflammatory and antispasmodic ... 

CHAMOMILE FLOWERS Matricaria recutita, L., family Asteraceae, contain an essential oil rich in sesquiterpenes such as bisabolol and chamazulene which have excellent antiinflammatory effects. 

ARNICA FLOWERS are the flower heads of Arnica montana L, family Asteraceae. The flowers contain sesquiterpenes such as helenalin and dihydrohelenalin which have antiinflammatory and analgesic effects which explain the popularity of Arnica as a remedy for bruises and aches and sprains. It must be stressed that Arnica should not be used internally because of cardiotoxicity. Equally important is the fact that the sesquiterpenes, like most if not all of those from the Asteraceae (e.g. in Chamomile and Yarrow), are highly allergenic and patients must be advised to discontinue use if a skin reaction develops and to avoid Arnica and Chamomile if they are known to have a sensitivity to other Asteraceae such as Asters, Daisies and Chrysanthemums. 

Chamomile is used topically to treat a variety of inflammatory conditions involving the mouth, skin, respiratory tract (via inhalation), and gastrointestinal tract. It is also used internally as a gastrointestinal antispasmodic and antiinflammatory (Blumenthal, 1998). Chamomile is purported to have sedative, hypnotic, analgesic, and immunostimulant effects (Yamada et al., 1996). 

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