Chamomile
Background
There are two types of chamomile: German chamomile and Roman chamomile.
This fact sheet focuses on German chamomile.
Chamomile was described in ancient medical writings and was an
important medicinal herb in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
Today,
chamomile is used as a dietary supplement for sleeplessness, anxiety,
and gastrointestinal conditions such as upset stomach, gas, and
diarrhea. It is also used topically for skin conditions and for mouth
sores resulting from cancer treatment.
The flowering tops of
the chamomile plant are used to make teas, liquid extracts, capsules,
or tablets. The herb can also be applied to the skin as a cream or an
ointment, or used as a mouth rinse.
How Much Do We Know?
Not much is known about the health effects of chamomile because it has
not been well studied in people.
What Have We Learned?
Some preliminary studies suggest that a chamomile dietary supplement
might be helpful for generalized anxiety disorder.
Some
research has found that products containing certain combinations of
herbs that include chamomile may be of benefit for upset stomach, for
diarrhea in children, and for infants with colic. But chamomile alone
has not been shown to be helpful for these conditions.
What Do We Know About Safety?
There
have been reports of allergic reactions, including rare cases of
anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction), in people who have
consumed or come into contact with chamomile products.
People
are more likely to experience allergic reactions to chamomile if
they’re allergic to related plants such as ragweed, chrysanthemums,
marigolds, or daisies.
Interactions between chamomile and
cyclosporine (a drug used to prevent rejection of organ transplants)
and warfarin (a blood thinner) have been reported, and there are
theoretical reasons to suspect that chamomile might interact with other
drugs as well. Talk to your health care provider before taking
chamomile if you’re taking any type of medicine.
Keep in Mind
Tell
all your health care providers about any complementary or integrative
health approaches you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to
manage your health. This will help to ensure coordinated and
safe care.
Key References
Amsterdam JD,
Li Y, Soeller I, et al. A
randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Marticaria recutita (chamomile)
extract therapy of generalized anxiety disorder. Journal of Clinical
Psychopharmacology. 2009;29(4):378-382.
Chamomile flower, German. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J,
eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded
Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Integrative Medicine
Communications; 2000:57-61.
Gardiner P. Complementary,
holistic, and integrative medicine: chamomile.Pediatrics in Review. 2007;28(4):e16-e18.
German
chamomile. Natural Medicines Web site. Accessed at
naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/ on April 2, 2015.
[Database subscription].
Srivastava JK, Shankar E, Gupta S. Chamomile:
a herbal medicine of the past with bright future. Molecular Medicine Reports. 2010;3(6):895-901.
-NIH
