Perennial plant measuring ten to thirty centimetres in height of the Asteraceae family, Roman or noble chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) grows almost everywhere in Europe, with a preference for silica rich soils.
Its stems are hairy and the whitish green leaves are finely divided in short and narrow lobes. The capitulum is formed of white ligulate florets covering each other and surrounding a yellow tubular disc flower. The fruit of chamomile is yellowish, small and ribbed.
Main aromatic molecules: Aliphatic esters (isobutyl, methyl-allyl and isoamyl angelates), monoterpenols (pinocarveol), ketones (pinocarvone).
Family: Asteraceae.
Producing organs: Flowering tops.
Yield: 400g to 1kg of essential oil per 100kg of flowers.
Equivalence: 1ml → 34 drops (dosage calculated for a calibrated dropper European Pharmacopoeia).
