The advantages of chamomile (Matricaria recutita) extract for health: a review

Abstract

Chamomile (Matricariarecutita) is an edible flowering herb widely valued for its medicinal, aromatic, and technological attributes, making it an important raw material in contemporary food applications. This review evaluates the chemical profile, bioactivity, and functional health potential of chamomile extract based on current scientific evidence. The extract contains diverse bioactive constituents, particularly flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds, which are responsible for its strong antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Owing to these characteristics and its pleasant sensory profile, chamomile extract has been incorporated into various functional foods, especially fermented and probiotic products such as herbal beverages and chamomile-enriched yogurt. Experimental findings frominvitro andinvivo studies indicate that chamomile may suppress cancer cell growth, reduce anxiety symptoms, promote gastrointestinal health, support cardiovascular function, and modulate immune responses. Beyond its therapeutic relevance, chamomile extract also serves as a natural substitute for synthetic preservatives and additives, aligning with increasing consumer demand for clean-label and plant-based ingredients. Its multifunctional properties contribute to improved food stability, safety, and shelf life while enhancing nutritional value. In addition, chamomile imparts a characteristic floral aroma, mild taste, and appealing color, which further support consumer acceptance. Collectively, chamomile extract demonstrates substantial promise as a natural functional ingredient, nutraceutical component, and bio-preservative for the development of health-oriented and technologically advanced food products, highlighting its expanding role in human nutrition and future food innovation.

Keywords

chamomile / extraction / food industry / natural bioactive ingredient / nutrition

References

[1] Andjelković U, Josić D. Mass spectrometry based proteomics as foodomics tool in research and assurance of food quality and safety. Trends Food Sci Technol. 2018;77:100-19.

[2] Daniella R, Wang W, Hellman B, Suryoprabowo S. Bioactive Compounds and Health Benefits of Wasabi (Eutrema Japonicum): Antibacterial, Cytotoxic, and Anti—inflammatory Properties of Root and Leaf Extracts. Int J Food Sci Nutr Innov. 2025;1:1-9.

[3] Kimura R, Schwartz J, Bennett—Guerrero E. A narrative review on the potential therapeutic benefits of chamomile in the acute care setting. J Herb Med. 2023;41:100714.

[4] Tsivelika N, Irakli M, Mavromatis A, Chatzopoulou P, Karioti A. Phenolic Profile by HPLC—PDA—MS of Greek Chamomile Populations and Commercial Varieties and Their Antioxidant Activity. Foods. 2021;10:2345.

[5] Sepp J, Koshovyi O, Jakstas V, Žvikas V, Botsula I, Kireyev I, et al. Phytochemical, Technological, and Pharmacological Study on the Galenic Dry Extracts Prepared from German Chamomile (Matricariachamomilla L.) Flowers . Plants (Basel). 2024;13:350.

[6] Srivastava JK, Gupta S. Extraction, Characterization, Stability and Biological Activity of Flavonoids Isolated from Chamomile Flowers. Mol Cell Pharmacol. 2009;1:138.

[7] Valduga AT, Gonçalves IL, Magri E, Finzer JRD. Chemistry, pharmacology and new trends in traditional functional and medicinal beverages. Food Res Int. 2019;120:478-503.

[8] Srivastava JK, Shankar E, Gupta S. Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future. Mol Med Rep. 2010;3:895-901.

[9] Caleja C, Barros L, Antonio AL, Carocho M, Oliveira MBPP, Ferreira ICFR. Fortification of yogurts with different antioxidant preservatives: A comparative study between natural and synthetic additives. Food Chem. 2016;210:262—8.

[10] Akram W, Ahmed S, Rihan M, Arora S, Khalid M, Ahmad S, et al. An updated comprehensive review of the therapeutic properties of Chamomile (Matricariachamomilla L.) . Int J Food Prop. 2023;27:133-64.

[11] El Mihyaoui A, Esteves da Silva JCG, Charfi S, Candela Castillo ME, Lamarti A, Arnao MB. Chamomile (Matricariachamomilla L.): A Review of Ethnomedicinal Use, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Uses . Life (Basel). 2022;12:479.

[12] Sotiropoulou NS, Megremi SF, Tarantilis P. Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity, Toxicity, and Phenolic Profile of Aqueous Extracts of Chamomile (Matricariachamomilla L.) and Sage (Salviaofficinalis L.) Prepared at Different Temperatures . Appl Sci. 2020;10:2270.

[13] Haghi G, Hatami A, Safaei A, Mehran M. Analysis of phenolic compounds in Matricaria chamomilla and its extracts by UPLC—UV. Res Pharm Sci. 2014;9:31-7.

[14] Mishra B, Chandra M. Evaluation of phytoremediation potential of aromatic plants: A systematic review. J Appl Res Med Aromat Plants. 2022;31:100405.

[15] Ghasemi S, Yousefbeyk F. A Review on Phytochemicals and Biological Properties of Golden Chamomile (Matricaria aurea). Res J Pharmacogn. 2024;11:79-91.

[16] Sah A, Naseef PP, Kuruniyan MS, Jain GK, Zakir F, Aggarwal G. A Comprehensive Study of Therapeutic Applications of Chamomile. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2022;15:1284.

[17] Sabir SM, Shahida S, Iqbal W, Zeb A, Khan MI, Shanableh A, et al. Antioxidant Activities and Phenolic Profile of Chamomile (Matricariarecutita): A Herbal Tea from Pakistan . Lett Org Chem. 2025;22:706—12.

[18] El—Assri E, Hmamou A, El—Assri Y, Baghouz A, Elrherabi A, Bouhrim M, et al. Phytochemical profiling in vitro and in silico evaluation of antioxidant, antimicrobial, and insecticidal properties ofMoroccanmatricaria chamomilla essential oil . Sci Rep. 2025;15:43620.

[19] Mailänder LK, Lorenz P, Bitterling H, Stintzing FC, Daniels R, Kammerer DR. Phytochemical Characterization of Chamomile (Matricariarecutita L.) Roots and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant and Antibacterial Potential . Molecules. 2022;27:8508.

[20] Al—Dabbagh B, Elhaty IA, Elhaw M, Murali C, Mansoori AA, Awad B, et al. Antioxidant and anticancer activities of chamomile (Matricariarecutita L.) . BMC Res Notes. 2019;12:3.

[21] Chauhan R, Singh S, Kumar V, Kumar A, Kumari A, Rathore S, et al. A Comprehensive Review on Biology, Genetic Improvement, Agro and Process Technology of German Chamomile (Matricariachamomilla L.) . Plants (Basel). 2021;11:29.

[22] Saadatmand S, Zohroudi F, Tangestani H. The Effect of Oral Chamomile on Anxiety: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials. Clin Nutr Res. 2024;13:139—47.

[23] Dai YL, Li Y, Wang Q, Niu FJ, Li KW, Wang YY, et al. Chamomile: A Review of Its Traditional Uses, Chemical Constituents, Pharmacological Activities and Quality Control Studies. Molecules. 2022;28:133.

[24] Valmy J, Greenfield S, Shindo S, Kawai T, Cervantes J, Hong BY. Anti—inflammatory effect of chamomile from randomized clinical trials: a systematic review and meta—analyses. Pharm Biol. 2025;63:490-502.

[25] Drif AI, Yücer R, Damiescu R, Ali NT, Hagar THA, Avula B, et al. Anti—Inflammatory and Cancer—Preventive Potential of Chamomile (Matricariachamomilla L.): A Comprehensive In Silico and In Vitro Study . Biomedicines. 2024;12:1484.

[26] Soesilawati P, Sutikno A, Adha R. Chamomile (Matricaria Chamomilla L.) as An Anti—Inflammatory Agent for Oral Mucosa: Mechanisms and Clinical Evidence. Int J Curr Sci Res Rev. 2025;8:3797-800.

[27] Hajizadeh—Sharafabad F, Varshosaz P, Jafari—Vayghan H, Alizadeh M, Maleki V. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) and diabetes mellitus, current knowledge and the way forward: A systematic review. Complement Ther Med. 2020;48:102284.

[28] Hussein MN, Fajer AN. In vivo Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity of Chamomile Extract against Procyclidine—Induced Oxidative Stress: Potential Application in Cancer Prevention. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2024;25:2919—28.

[29] Olszowy M. What is responsible for antioxidant properties of polyphenolic compounds from plants? Plant Physiol Biochem. 2019;144:135—43.

[30] Lu J, Jiang Z, Dang J, Li D, Yu D, Qu C, et al. GC—MS Combined with Fast GC E—Nose for the Analysis of Volatile Components of Chamomile (Matricariachamomilla L.) . Foods. 2024;13:1865.

[31] Das S, Horváth B, Šafranko S, Jokić S, Széchenyi A, Kőszegi T. Antimicrobial Activity of Chamomile Essential Oil: Effect of Different Formulations. Molecules. 2019;24:4321.

[32] Pequeno MA, Silvestre MR, Amêndola I, Silva CRG, Leão MVP, Santos SSF. Matricaria Recutita Extract (Chamomile) to reduce Candida Albicans and Entrobacter Cloacae biofilms: in vitro study. RGO Rev Gaúch Odontol. 2018;66.

[33] Alkuraishy HM, Al—Gareeb AI, Albuhadilly AK, Alwindy S. In vitro Assessment of the Antibacterial Activity of Matricaria chamomile Alcoholic Extract against Pathogenic Bacterial Strains. Microbiol Res J Int. 2015;7:55-61.

[34] Park SH, Kim DS, Oh J, Geum J, Kim J, Choi S, et al. Matricariachamomilla (Chamomile) Ameliorates Muscle Atrophy in Mice by Targeting Protein Catalytic Pathways, Myogenesis, and Mitochondrial Dysfunction . Am J Chin Med. 2021;49:1493-514.

[35] Zargaran A, Sakhteman A, Faridi P, Daneshamouz S, Akbarizadeh AR, Borhani—Haghighi A, et al. Reformulation of Traditional Chamomile Oil: Quality Controls and Fingerprint Presentation Based on Cluster Analysis of Attenuated Total Reflectance—Infrared Spectral Data. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22:707—14.

[36] Pooya J, Mostafa A, Fereshteh A. Development and Optimization of Chamomile Extract Pastilles for Potential Oral Ulcer Treatment. Acta Biochimica Iranica. 2025;3.