Chamomile is prepared from dried flowers of Matricaria species. Chamomile is one of the oldest, most widely used and well-documented medicinal plants in the world and has been recommended for a variety of healing applications.
Rich in chamazulene, apigenin, and bisabolol.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Chamomile can soothe skin irritation due to its anti-inflammatory properties. One of chamomile’s anti-inflammatory activities involves the inhibition of LPS-induced prostaglandin E2 release and attenuation of cyclooxygenase (COX-2) enzyme activity without affecting the constitutive form, COX-1.
Moreover, it inhibits NO production and iNOS expression in macrophages which are mediated through the inhibition of NF-kB/Rel transcription factor. Therefore, it exerts inhibitory effects on pro-inflammatory cytokines through inhibition of NO production in macrophages.
ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES
Chamomile has antioxidant properties due to the presence of phenolic compounds. It donates an electron to a free radical thus neutralizing it. Therefore, it protects the cellular components from oxidation and destruction.
ANTI-ANXIETY PROPERTIES
Inhalation of the vaporized essential oils derived from chamomile flowers is recommended to relieve anxiety, general depression. Chamomile is used as a mild sedative to calm nerves and reduce anxiety, to treat hysteria, nightmares, insomnia and other sleep problems (calming effect).
Chamomile is widely regarded as a mild tranquilizer and sleep-inducer. Sedative effects may be due to the flavonoid, apigenin that binds to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain. Chamomile extracts exhibit benzodiazepine-like hypnotic activity. Furthermore, the inhalation of the vapor of chamomile oil reduced a stress-induced increase in plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels.
Chamomile is safe to be used in cosmetics based on the concentration specified in this safety assessment.
https://online.personalcarecouncil.org/ctfa-static/online/lists/cir-pdfs/PRS707.pdf