Cape Chamomile

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Common Names

Afrikaans

Kapokbossie · Wilde Roosmaryn

English

Cape Chamomile · Wild Rosemary

Khoikhoi

not documented

Ndebele

not documented

San

not documented

Sepedi

not documented

Sesotho

not documented

Setswana

not documented

Swati

not documented

Tsonga

not documented

Venda

not documented

Xhosa

not documented

Zulu

not documented

Common Name

Cape Chamomile

Scientific Name

Eriocephalus punctulatus

Family

Asteraceae

Native Region

Cultivated in the Western Cape; wild populations occur in Cape mountain fynbos.

Annual
Production

2–5 t oil

Export Revenue

R20–50m

Export Markets

Germany, France, Switzerland

Livelihoods

100–300

Protection & Benefit Sharing

No GI No GI protection. Adulteration with other Eriocephalus species is a significant commercial problem; certification is critical.

No BSA No formal agreement. Khoikhoi communities held primary knowledge — largely lost before documentation was possible.

Organic Certified organic production available; commands highest premium in the aromatherapy market.

Wild Harvest Mix of wild harvest and cultivation in Western Cape mountains. Small producer base — certification protects premium pricing.

Provinces

ECEastern Cape

FSFree State

GTGauteng

KZNKwaZulu-Natal

LIMLimpopo

MPMpumalanga

NCNorthern Cape

NWNorth West

WCWestern Cape

Key

Registered farm

Certified organic

Introduction

Cape Chamomile is a highly valued fynbos shrub yielding a deep blue essential oil rich in chamazulene. It is an industry-standard anti-inflammatory used in high-end aromatherapy and dermocosmetics.

Active Compounds

Chamazulene
Alpha-bisabolol oxide
Camphor
1,8-cineole
Bornyl acetate

Traditional Uses

Digestive aid/colic
Sedative/Anxiolytic
Wound healing
Eczema relief

Clinically Validated

Chamazulene inhibits leukotriene synthesis (Safayhi et al., 1994)
Alpha-bisabolol skin-soothing activity
Antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and C. albicans

Cultivation

Mediterranean fynbos; acidic, well-drained soil; winter rainfall (300–600mm).

Cederberg, Hex River Mountains, Langeberg range, Western Cape

Commercial & Trade Notes

High-value essential oil extraction; organic certification essential for premium market access.

Indigenous Knowledge

Khoikhoi staple for stomach ailments and infant colic. Historically integrated into Cape Malay apothecary and Afrikaner folk medicine as a universal calming tonic.

Health