Antimicrobial chamomile

About 120 chemical constituents have been identified in chamomile as secondary metabolites, including 28 terpenoids, 36 flavonoids and 52 additional compounds [4]. A substantial part of drag effects are determined by the essential oil content. Oil is collected from flower heads, either by steam distillation or solvent extraction, for yields of 0.24-1.90% of fresh or dry plant tissue. Among the essential oil constituents the most active are /-/-a-bisabolol and chamazulene. /-/-a-bisabolol has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antimicrobial, antiulcer, sedative and CNS activity. Chamazulene is also anti-inflammatory. Topical applications of chamomile preparation have shown benefit in the treatment of eczema, dermatitis and ulceration [5]. 

Brandy or alcohol extracts of spices and herbs may be used for flavoring vermouth (Rizzo, 1957). Spices like anola, and ginger are known to possess medicinal properties, as well as antimicrobial activities (Joshi and John, 2002). The precise details of extraction differ among manufactures. The more important botanical constituents include coriander, cloves, chamomile, dittany of Crete, orris, and quassia. Additional flavorant may include allspice, angelica, anise, bitter almond, cinchona, coriander, juniper, nutmeg, orange peel, and rhubarb. 

Kedzia, B., 1991. Antimicrobial activity of chamomile oil and its components. Herba Polonica, 37 29-38. 

Bail S., May/June 2009, Antimicrobial activities of Roman chamomile oil from France and its main compounds, 21, 283-285. 

Aggag, M.E. and R.T. Yousef, f972. Study of antimicrobial activity of chamomile oil. Planta Med., 22 140-144. 

The biological activity of essential oils is strictly connected with their chemical composition. Since essential oils are natural products, their composition cannot be precisely quantified. Correct botanical description of the plant material is out of discussion. The genus Mentha L. comprises about 25 species and even 900 taxons, there are hundreds of eucalyptus species and varieties. Different thyme and oregano species or even genera are accepted universally as thyme or oregano, respectively. That is the main reason that oils marketed at the same name showed great variability between the antimicrobial action, e.g. eucalyptus or chamomile (Lis-Balchin et al. 1998). 

---