Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Sciences

Abstract

The plant Chamomilla recutita (Family: Asteraceae), popularly known as ‘Chamomile’, is a natural source of essential oil containing terpenoides and flavonoids that have high value and demand in pharmaceutical and perfumery industries. Its dried flowers are also traded owing to their extensive use in herbal tea, mouth wash and bathing products. Although this plant was introduced in India, around three centuries ago, its cultivation could not expand in the country because of lack of improved cultivars. The novel variety/chemotype CIM-Ujjwala developed during the course of this study is very promising for high flower and oil yield. The oil is also rich in acetylinic compound (2z,8z)-matricaria acid methyl ester (76-80%). This improved chemotype has the production potential of 7.00-7.50 q/ha dry flowers and 6.00-6.50kg /ha oil yield. The acetylinic compound [(2z,8z)-matricaria acid methyl ester] has been shown to be effective against hyper pigmentation of human skin and can be of tremendous use in cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The chemotype CIM–Ujjwala has been developed through intensive mutation breeding. This chemotype would provide high remunerative return to the growers and industries.