Micropropagation of Matricaria chamomilla L. (Camomile)

Abstract

Matricaria chamomilla L. (English name: German camomile) is a biennial herb belonging to the family Asteraceae, which includes many species of medicinal herb, such as pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium Visiani), yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.), wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.), etc. The plant called “Roman camomile” is a different species, Anthemis nobilis L. The stems of Matricaria chamomilla are branched 30–60 cm in height, with alternating pinnatisect leaves. The flowers bloom from May through October (Fig. 1). Each solitary capitulum, which looks like one flower, comprises aggregated dimorphic flowers, namely, yellow disk florets surrounded by one layer of white ray florets. They are found in Europe, the Middle East, Siberia, and North America, and are also cultivated as agricultural products or ornamental plants in gardens. The dried capitula of this plant have a sweet fragrance and a slightly bitter flavor, and have been popularly used as folk medicine, tea, and a bath additive since olden times. In Europe, especially in Germany, camomile tea is commonly taken as a home cure-all for headaches, stomachaches, colds, etc. Much research on its pharmacological compounds has found that the secondary metabolites, such as sesquiterpenoids, coumarin, and flavonoids are synthesized (Isaac 1974; Greger 1977; Verzar-Petri et al. 1979).