| CHAMOMILE BENEFITS AND SIDE EFFECTS zhion@zhion.com |
WHAT IS CHAMOMILE?
Chamomile is a soothing, gentle relaxant that may benefit a variety of complaints from
stress to menstrual cramps, as some websites claim. The word chamomile is derived
from the Greek chamos melos, meaning ground apple, referring to the plant's low
growing habit and the fact that the herb has a satisfying, apple-like aroma and flavor. It's
most often taken as a mild “healthful beverage tea”. Chamomile extracts are also
added to healing creams and lotions or packaged as pills and tinctures.
There are two species of chamomile- German chamomile and Roman chamomile.
German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is common in North America and central
Europe, while the Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile or Anthemis nobilis) is
more commonly sold in England. German chamomile is a sweet-scented, smooth,
branched annual growing to 2 1/2 ft. in height, while, Roman chamomile is an aromatic,
creeping perennial, growing to one foot in height. Though German chamomile and
Roman chamomile are different, they have been used interchangeably. They may have
benefits on various similar health conditions.
SIDE EFFECTS, TOXIC EFFECTS AND WARNINGS
Chamomile is generally considered safe and nontoxic. Side effects are extremely rare
for health users. However, if you are on medical treatment or if you are taking high doses
of chamomile, you should consult with your doctor before use this extract or related
products. A study has shown that chamomile preparations contain constituents inhibiting
the activities of major human drug metabolizing enzymes, especially the drugs with
elimination route of cytochromes (especially CYP1A2). [1] Another study using rat as a
model has shown that high doses of chamomile essential oil may cause a depressive
effect [i.e. toxicity]. [4]
If you suffer from allergies to plants of the Compositae family (a large group including
such flowers as daisies, ragweed, asters and chrysanthemums), you have to be cautious
about using chamomile. The allergic reactions may include skin rashes and bronchial
constriction. However, most people can use this herb with no problem.
CHAMOMILE BENEFITS
Chamomile extracts and tea are widely used herbal preparations for the treatment of
minor illnesses (e.g. indigestion, inflammation). [1] For example, researchers reported
that wild chamomile mouthwashes relieved methotrexate-induced oral mucositis in a
patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Oral mucositis is a known complication of methotrexate
(MTX) therapy. [5]
GERM GROWTH INHIBITION
Helicobacter pylori infections have been associated with the pathogenesis of a number
of stomach and gastroduodenal diseases. A studies has shown that chamomile oil
inhibits the bacterial growth in extraordinarily low concentrations of 0.0075% (v/v) and
about 65 microg/ml, respectively. The bactericidal concentrations were generally one to
two dilution steps higher. Therefore, the herb may benefit those suffered from related
stomach and gastroduodenal diseases. [2]
HYPNOTIC EFFECTS
A study of sleep-disturbed model rats has shown that chamomile extract has
benzodiazepine-like hypnotic activity. A significant decrease in sleep latency was
observed with chamomile extract at a dose of 300 mg/kg. Flumazenil, a benzodiazepine
receptor antagonist, at a dose of 3 mg/kg showed a significant antagonistic effect on the
shortening in sleep latency induced by chamomile extract. [3]
WOUND HEALING
A double-blind trial of 14 patients has demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of
chamomile extract on weeping wound area after dermabrasion of tattoos. [8]
REFERENCE [1] Ganzera M et al, Inhibitory effects of the essential oil of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.)
and its major constituents on human cytochrome P450 enzymes. Life Sci. 2005 Aug 30 2005. [2] Weseler A
et al, A novel colorimetric broth microdilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration
(MIC) of antibiotics and essential oils against Helicobacter pylori. Pharmazie. 2005 Jul;60(7):498-502. [3]
Shinomiya K et al, Hypnotic activities of chamomile and passiflora extracts in sleep-disturbed rats. Biol
Pharm Bull. 2005 May;28(5):808-10. [4] Fundaro A et al, Action of essential oils of chamomile, cinnamon,
absinthium, mace and origanum on operant conditioning behavior of the rat Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper. 1980
Nov 30;56(22):2375-80. [5] Mazokopakis EE et al, Wild chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) mouthwashes in
methotrexate-induced oral mucositis. Phytomedicine. 2005 Jan;12(1-2):25-7. [8] Glowania HJ et al Effect of
chamomile on wound healing--a clinical double-blind study Z Hautkr. 1987 Sep 1;62(17):1262, 1267-71.
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH
YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. THOUGH THERE ARE MULTIPLE HEALTH CLAIMS FOR CHAMOMILE, THE
RELATED SUPPORT IS VERY LIMITED. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008 DO NOT COPY THIS ARTICLE TO OTHER
WEBSITE(S) NOR BLOG(S).
Chamomile is a soothing, gentle relaxant that may benefit a variety of complaints from
stress to menstrual cramps, as some websites claim. The word chamomile is derived
from the Greek chamos melos, meaning ground apple, referring to the plant's low
growing habit and the fact that the herb has a satisfying, apple-like aroma and flavor. It's
most often taken as a mild “healthful beverage tea”. Chamomile extracts are also
added to healing creams and lotions or packaged as pills and tinctures.
There are two species of chamomile- German chamomile and Roman chamomile.
German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is common in North America and central
Europe, while the Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile or Anthemis nobilis) is
more commonly sold in England. German chamomile is a sweet-scented, smooth,
branched annual growing to 2 1/2 ft. in height, while, Roman chamomile is an aromatic,
creeping perennial, growing to one foot in height. Though German chamomile and
Roman chamomile are different, they have been used interchangeably. They may have
benefits on various similar health conditions.
SIDE EFFECTS, TOXIC EFFECTS AND WARNINGS
Chamomile is generally considered safe and nontoxic. Side effects are extremely rare
for health users. However, if you are on medical treatment or if you are taking high doses
of chamomile, you should consult with your doctor before use this extract or related
products. A study has shown that chamomile preparations contain constituents inhibiting
the activities of major human drug metabolizing enzymes, especially the drugs with
elimination route of cytochromes (especially CYP1A2). [1] Another study using rat as a
model has shown that high doses of chamomile essential oil may cause a depressive
effect [i.e. toxicity]. [4]
If you suffer from allergies to plants of the Compositae family (a large group including
such flowers as daisies, ragweed, asters and chrysanthemums), you have to be cautious
about using chamomile. The allergic reactions may include skin rashes and bronchial
constriction. However, most people can use this herb with no problem.
CHAMOMILE BENEFITS
Chamomile extracts and tea are widely used herbal preparations for the treatment of
minor illnesses (e.g. indigestion, inflammation). [1] For example, researchers reported
that wild chamomile mouthwashes relieved methotrexate-induced oral mucositis in a
patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Oral mucositis is a known complication of methotrexate
(MTX) therapy. [5]
GERM GROWTH INHIBITION
Helicobacter pylori infections have been associated with the pathogenesis of a number
of stomach and gastroduodenal diseases. A studies has shown that chamomile oil
inhibits the bacterial growth in extraordinarily low concentrations of 0.0075% (v/v) and
about 65 microg/ml, respectively. The bactericidal concentrations were generally one to
two dilution steps higher. Therefore, the herb may benefit those suffered from related
stomach and gastroduodenal diseases. [2]
HYPNOTIC EFFECTS
A study of sleep-disturbed model rats has shown that chamomile extract has
benzodiazepine-like hypnotic activity. A significant decrease in sleep latency was
observed with chamomile extract at a dose of 300 mg/kg. Flumazenil, a benzodiazepine
receptor antagonist, at a dose of 3 mg/kg showed a significant antagonistic effect on the
shortening in sleep latency induced by chamomile extract. [3]
WOUND HEALING
A double-blind trial of 14 patients has demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of
chamomile extract on weeping wound area after dermabrasion of tattoos. [8]
REFERENCE [1] Ganzera M et al, Inhibitory effects of the essential oil of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.)
and its major constituents on human cytochrome P450 enzymes. Life Sci. 2005 Aug 30 2005. [2] Weseler A
et al, A novel colorimetric broth microdilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration
(MIC) of antibiotics and essential oils against Helicobacter pylori. Pharmazie. 2005 Jul;60(7):498-502. [3]
Shinomiya K et al, Hypnotic activities of chamomile and passiflora extracts in sleep-disturbed rats. Biol
Pharm Bull. 2005 May;28(5):808-10. [4] Fundaro A et al, Action of essential oils of chamomile, cinnamon,
absinthium, mace and origanum on operant conditioning behavior of the rat Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper. 1980
Nov 30;56(22):2375-80. [5] Mazokopakis EE et al, Wild chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) mouthwashes in
methotrexate-induced oral mucositis. Phytomedicine. 2005 Jan;12(1-2):25-7. [8] Glowania HJ et al Effect of
chamomile on wound healing--a clinical double-blind study Z Hautkr. 1987 Sep 1;62(17):1262, 1267-71.
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH
YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. THOUGH THERE ARE MULTIPLE HEALTH CLAIMS FOR CHAMOMILE, THE
RELATED SUPPORT IS VERY LIMITED. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008 DO NOT COPY THIS ARTICLE TO OTHER
WEBSITE(S) NOR BLOG(S).
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