CHAMOMILE BENEFITS AND SIDE EFFECTS
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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 Â
“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).