Chamomile, also known as daisy, is a world-renowned aromatic medicinal plant. It has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine to treat many ailments, and it continues to be used today in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.<br />Botanical Description<br />Family: Asteraceae.<br />Form: An annual herbaceous plant, reaching 20–50 cm in height.<br />Leaves: Finely lobed and light green.<br />Flowers: Small, white with a yellow center, fragrant and aromatic.<br />Roots: Superficial taproot.<br />Habitat and Distribution<br />Native to Europe and the Mediterranean.<br />Now cultivated worldwide, including Iraq, Egypt, India, and Germany.<br />Grows well in light, well-drained soil and in direct sunlight.<br />Active Ingredients:<br />Volatile oils (such as azulene).<br />Flavonoids and antioxidants.<br />Compounds with anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties.<br />Medicinal Uses<br />1. Digestive System:<br />Treats colic, bloating, and indigestion.<br />It is used as a sedative for irritable bowel syndrome.<br />2. Nervous System:<br />Chamomile tea promotes relaxation.<br />Relieves insomnia, tension, and headaches.<br />3. Respiratory System:<br />It is used as a vapor to relieve nasal congestion and colds.<br />4. Topical Uses:<br />It treats skin infections and minor wounds.<br />It is used as a mouthwash to treat gingivitis.<br />Other Uses:<br />It is used in the manufacture of creams and skin care products.<br />It is used in the perfume industry because it contains essential oils.<br />It is grown as an ornamental plant for the beauty of its flowers and scent.<br />Economic Importance:<br />It is a plant with high medicinal value and is considered an important medicinal plant crop.<br />It is used in alternative medicine and herbal medicine.<br />It is exported in the form of dried flowers or essential oils.<br /><br />Chamomile is a plant that combines beauty and benefit. It is a small flower with significant therapeutic effects. With the increasing interest in natural medicine, chamomile remains one of the most important medicinal plants in the world.<br /><br />Al-Mustaqbal University is the first university in Iraq.