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Plant extracts

Chamomile extract

Also listed as Chamomilla recutita (Matricaria) flower extract, German chamomile

A traditional soothing flower extract in skin and hair products. Mildly anti-inflammatory in lab work, little trial evidence, and an allergen for daisy-family allergy.

Weak evidence

What it is

Chamomile flower extract carries flavonoids such as apigenin, plus bisabolol and chamazulene from the essential oil, which account for its anti-inflammatory effect in lab studies. It is used in calming skincare, baby products and 'blonde-brightening' shampoos, which claim to enhance golden tones.

Chamomile belongs to the daisy (Compositae) family, whose plants are a recognized cause of allergic contact dermatitis.

How strong is the evidence?

Weak evidence

Reviews describe long traditional use and lab anti-inflammatory activity; controlled trials of chamomile skin products are few, small and usually of branded combination creams. There is no evidence it lightens or brightens hair.

What it's used for, checked

Soothing irritated skin

Unproven

Plausible from lab work; few controlled trials.

Brightening blonde hair

Unproven

No published evidence at the levels used in shampoos.

Who should be careful

  • People allergic to ragweed, daisies, arnica or other Compositae plants can react; in one study, 8 of 12 chamomile-sensitive patients reacted to chamomile teas, creams, ointments or oil.
  • Rarely, chamomile causes contact hives (urticaria).

The studies

Every citation is checked against its PubMed record.

  1. Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future.
    Srivastava JK, Shankar E, Gupta S · Molecular Medicine Reports · 2010 · Review

    Reviews the chemistry of German and Roman chamomile (terpenoids, flavonoids) and its traditional and investigated medicinal uses, including for inflammation and wounds, and its use in cosmetics and aromatherapy.

  2. Cosmetics and herbal remedies with Compositae plant extracts - are they tolerated by Compositae-allergic patients?
    Paulsen E, Chistensen LP, Andersen KE · Contact Dermatitis · 2008 · Clinical patch-test study

    8 of 12 chamomile-sensitive patients reacted to chamomile-containing tea, creams, ointments or oil; the authors advise people with Compositae allergy to avoid Compositae-containing cosmetics and remedies.