ROMAN CHAMOMILE
ANTHEMIS NOBILIS FLOWER WATER
ORIGINS
Roman chamomile is a medicinal plant known since Antiquity, when it was used in infusions to soothe digestive disorders (1). Contrary to what its name of “Roman camomile” implies, it originates in Western Europe and North Africa, not in Italy!
Roman camomile—or noble camomile—is traditionally used to treat human eye disorders such as an obstruction of the eye ducts, or in cases of conjunctivitis (2). The Coumarins it contains, considered to be the main bioactive components, have anti-inflammatory, healing and soothing properties, and are particularly well tolerated (3).
Camomile flower water soothes irritated eyes and skin, as well as rashes. It is obtained by distilling fresh flowers with steam.
(1) May P. Guide pratique de phyto-aromathérapie pour les animaux de compagnie. MedCom ed. 2014:101. 255p.
(2) Srivastava JK, Shankar E, Gupta S. Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future. Mol Med Rep. 2010 Nov 1;3(6):895-901.
(3) Johnson W Jr, Heldreth B, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA, Klaassen CD et al. Safety Assessment of Anthemis nobilis-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics. Int J Toxicol. 2017 May/Jun;36(1_suppl):57S-66S.
