Matricariae aetheroleum

Authors: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

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Last updated on: 29.10.2020

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Synonym(s)

Camomile oil; essential oil of chamomile; oleum chamomillae

Definition
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Matricariae aetheroleum, the officinal (Ph.Eur.8; DAB; ÖAB) essential oil of chamomile is obtained by steam distillation from the flower heads of chamomile.
Matricariae aetheroleum contains about 20% azulene (chamazulene which is formed by hydrolytic cleavage of proazulene matricin during steam distillation); further, among others, the butyl, amyl and hexyl esters of isobutyric acid, angelic acid esters and methyl crotonic acid esters, in addition to anthemol.
After extraction, the oil has a blue-green colour and has antispasmodic, strengthening and stimulating effects.