Infusion and decoction of wild German chamomile: Bioactivity and characterization of organic acids and phenolic compounds

► Matricaria recutita methanolic extract and infusion gave antitumour potential. ► They were selective to colon and cervical carcinoma cell lines, without hepatotoxicity. ► Decoction of M. recutita had no antitumour activity. ► The methanolic extract presented the highest amounts of phenolic acids and flavonoids. ► The major compound found in all the preparations was luteolin O-acylhexoside.