Camomile

Camomile, or chamomile, (Matricaria chamomilla) is a daisy-like plant which is often used as an infusion or herbal tea and in cosmetics and personal cleaning products. The characteristic smell of the flowers distinguishes it easily from the common daisy. A tea prepared from the dried flowers of the plant is often taken for help with insomnia, while other uses for the plant in its various forms include stomach upsets, heartburn, nausea. There are also indications that it may assist in the treatment of diarrhea, hemorrhoids and anxiety. External applications include for skin irritation, wound healing and eczema.

The essential oil from the plant has antibacterial and antifungal activity and contains a number of active constituents including the terpenoids (-)-alpha bisabolol, chamazulene, β-farnesene, while the extract from the flowers contains polyphenols, flavonoids coumarins etc which confer antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-parasitic, insecticidal, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties.