Everyone knows real chamomile - especially as a tea and active ingredient in skin care products. The dog chamomile looks very similar to her. But is it just as medicinal as real chamomile or is it even poisonous?
Is chamomile poisonous?
The dog chamomile (Anthemis arvensis) is slightly toxic and can cause allergy-like reactions in sensitive people, such as swelling of the mucous membranes, skin irritations and breathing problems. However, fatal poisonings are very unlikely.
Fatal poisonings – very unlikely
The dog chamomile, which has the botanical name Anthemis arvensis, is classified as slightly toxic. It is the sesquiterpene lactone anthecotulid that makes dog chamomile less attractive for consumption and use as a medicine. This substance is particularly noticeable in sensitive people:
- Swelling of the mucous membranes
- irritated skin
- allergy-like reactions such as breathing problems
Characteristics of Dog Chamomile
Just like real chamomile, dog chamomile is a representative of the daisy family. Here are their characteristics by which you can recognize them:
- up to 45 cm high
- Flowering period: July to September
- bipinnate leaves
- Stems and leaves have short hairs
- white-yellow, radial flowers
- Flowers 3 cm in diameter
Tip
Dog chamomile hardly smells, while real chamomile has a typically strong chamomile smell.
