Oleum Anthemidis, B.P. Oil of Chamomile.

Related entries: Roman chamomile - German chamomile - Oils

Oil of chamomile is obtained by distillation from the recently dried flowers of the Roman chamomile, Anthemis nobilis, Linn. (N.O. Compositae), cultivated in Europe and America. It occurs, when freshly distilled, as a blue liquid, becoming greenish and brownish-yellow under the influence of air and light, having a strong, but pleasant, aromatic odour, and a burning taste. It has a faintly acid reaction. Specific gravity, 0.905 to 0.915. Rotation, -1° (B.P. +1°) to +3°. Saponification number, 250 to 300. The oil from the German chamomile, Matricaria Chamomilla, Linn. (N.O. Compositae), has a specific gravity 0.930 to 0.940, and solidifies at 0°.

Soluble in alcohol (10 in 3), and forms a clear solution with 6 parts of alcohol (70 per cent.).

Constituents.—The oil consists chiefly of a mixture of esters of angelic and tiglic acids (two isomeric acids of the formula C₅H₈O₂) with butyl and amyl alcohol, and butyric acid; it also contains an alcohol, anthemol, C₁₀H₁₆O, and a hydrocarbon, anthemene, C₁₈H36, which forms crystalline needles melting at 63°. The body which causes the blue colouration of the freshly distilled oil has not been identified.

Action and Uses.—Oil of chamomile is employed for its aromatic carminative action on the stomach, and is given with purgative medicines to prevent griping. Pills containing 1 minim of the oil in each may be prepared by massing with soap and powdered liquorice root or powdered marshmallow root.

Dose.—¼ to 2 decimils (0.025 to 0.2 milliliters) (½ to 3 minims).

The British Pharmaceutical Codex, 1911, was published by direction of the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.