Chamomile

The colloquial name "chamomile" is used interchangeably for several different species. For example, especially the true or German chamomile (Chamomilla recutita), the Roman chamomile (Chamaelum nobilis, Anthemis nobili = INCI designation) and the mayweed (Anthemis cotula L.).

True chamomile and Roman chamomile are important medicinal plants that differ chemically despite similar modes of action. They are also used in cosmetic products.

Dog chamomile, also known as stinky dog chamomile, has been used in folk medicine, but is no longer of any importance in phytotherapy due to its strongly sensitizing and locally irritating effect of the sesqiterpene lactone anthecotulid which it contains. Anthecotulide is only found in small traces in the true camomile and the Roman camomile.