Matricaria flower - Summary for the public
This is a summary of the scientific conclusions reached by the Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) on the medicinal uses of matricaria flower. The HMPC conclusions are taken into account by EU Member States when evaluating applications for the licensing of herbal medicines containing matricaria flower.
This summary is not intended to provide practical advice on how to use medicines containing matricaria flower. For practical information about using matricaria flower medicines, patients should read the package leaflet that comes with the medicine or contact their doctor or pharmacist.
What is matricaria flower?
Matricaria flower is the common name for the flower heads of the plant Matricaria recutita L. (also known as chamomile). The flowers for medicinal use are obtained either from plants that have been cultivated or found in the wild.
Matricaria flower preparations are obtained by comminuting (reducing into tiny pieces) the flower, or as dry or liquid extracts. Extracts are prepared using a technique to extract compounds from plant material by dissolving them in a solvent (such as ethanol). For dry extracts the solvent is then evaporated to obtain the extract.
Herbal medicines containing matricaria flower preparations are available as herbal teas to be drunk or their steam inhaled; as infusions to be applied onto the skin or lining of the mouth; as liquid forms to be taken by mouth, used for steam inhalation, for rinsing the mouth or applied on the skin, or used as bath additives; and as semi-solid forms (such as ointments) to be applied onto the skin.
Matricaria flower can also be found in combination with other herbal substances in some herbal medicines. These combinations are not covered in this summary.
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