Chamomile and its Health Benefits

Overview

What is Chamomile?

Chamomile is a medicinal herb of the daisy family (Asteraceae). Western Asia and Europe are its original home regions. Chamomile tea prepared from the plant’s dried flowers is a popular health beverage. The essential oil of chamomile flowers is used to make several products, such as creams, oils, and inhalers. Chamomile can also be consumed as an herb.

Facts

Facts about Chamomile

• Chamomile is known as Chamomilla recutita, Matricaria recutita, Hungarian Chamomile, True Chamomile, and German Chamomile.
• Chamomile smells like an apple and hence its name ‘Chamomile’ (meaning Earth apple in Greek)
• Chamomile has been used as a remedy to treat several health problems since ancient times.
• Black or green tea can be substituted with caffeine-free chamomile tea.
• Chamomile is also available commercially in tablet form as a health supplement ¹Facts| Researched based study from Sciencedirect.com

Properties

Properties of Chamomile

Antioxidant

• Prevents cell damage .
• It neutralizes the harmful free radicle particles in the body .

Anti-inflammatory

• It decreases pain, swelling, and redness by inhibiting the actions of prostaglandins.

Antimicrobial

• It kills the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses

Anticancer

• It prevents abnormal cell growth in the body by reducing cancerous cells viability.

Components

Nutrition in Chamomile

• According to the United States of Agriculture, Chamomile has no vital source of nutrients and has zero calories ³Components| Researched based study from Usda.gov

Biologically active components of Chamomile

• There are around 120 secondary metabolites (a natural substance produced by plants for purposes other than growth and reproduction) in Chamomile and include thirty-six flavonoids and twenty-eight terpenoids.
• Both flavonoids and terpenoids help in plant defense against various stresses.

• The Roman Chamomile flower has several important phenolic compounds, such as quercetin, apigenin, and patuletin .

The German Chamomile flower has terpenoids, chamazulene(aromatic compound) ,and acetylene derivatives ²Components| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Useful Parts of the chamomile plant

The flower

• It is used in making teas, capsules, and tablets .

The herb

• It can be used as an oral rinse
• It can be applied to the skin as an ointment.

Formulations

Preparations of chamomile for different uses

Tincture

• In addition, chamomile flower can be used to make a tincture that is one part chamomile flower to four parts water and contains 12% grain alcohol.²Formulations| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov
• This remedy is recommended to treat children’s summertime diarrhea and to reduce cramping when taken with purgatives.

Powder

• Many individuals advise using and recommending dry chamomile flower powder for difficulties with well-known conventional health.

Tea

• A teaspoon of chamomile flowers is dipped in boiling water for five to ten minutes. After straining, it can be consumed as a tea beverage.²Formulations| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Oil

• Aromatherapy and hair care products frequently contain chamomile oil.²Formulations| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Mouthwash

• For oral rinse or mouthwash, it should be prepared as tea and allowed it cool.

Uses

Common uses of chamomile

Some of the long-established uses of Chamomile

• Burns
• Ulcers
• Rheumatic pain
• Sciatica pain
• Diaper rash
• Chickenpox
• Ear and eye infections
• Blocked tear ducts
• Sleep difficulty
• Skin infection
• Motion sickness and diarrhea
• Anorexia(loss of apetite)
• Indigestion ²Uses| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Benefits

Health benefits of Chamomile

Protects against cancer

• Chamomile has apigenin antioxidant
• It prevents the growth of tumor cells and also decreases inflammation .

Enhances digestive health

• Chamomile promotes digestive health
• It prevents diarrhea and stomach ulcers ⁴Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov ⁵Benefitss| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov .

Controls diabetes (high sugar)

• Chamomile lowers the blood sugar level in our body
• It prevents damage to insulin-producing pancreatic cells ²Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Enhances the cardiac (heart) health

• Chamomile contains antioxidant flavones which helps lower the blood pressure .
• It lowers the cholesterol level in our body ⁶Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Prevents osteoporosis (bone disease)

• Chamomile flavonoid reduces oxidative stress in the body .
• Maintains the bone density and prevents bone breakage ⁹Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Promotes good sleep

• Chamomile contains apigenin antioxidant .
• Apigenin binds to brain receptors and helps in sound sleep

Relieves common cold

• Inhaling of chamomile steam reduces the common cold symptoms

However, more research is required the prove the fact ²Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Fights against gingivitis (gum disease)

• Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties
• It reduces gum bleeding and pain when used as oral mouthwash with pomegranate plant extract ⁷Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Relieves menstrual symptoms

• Chamomile reduces anxiety and discomfort before menstrual periods
• It reduces muscle spasms (painful muscle contraction) ⁸Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Helps in healing wounds

• It treats body infections
• It reduces swelling and redness

Relieves anxiety and depression

• Chamomile taken as aromatherapy helps reduce the body’s stress ²Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Improves skin health

• Chamomile prevents acne
• It soothes sores and hydrates the skin

Improves immunity

• It protects the body against infections

Improves vaginal inflammation (vaginitis)

• Chamomile reduces vaginal itching and pain
• It reduces vaginal discharge

However, further research is required to prove the fact¹⁰Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Side effects

Side effects of Chamomile

Although Chamomile has several health benefits, some individuals might experience the following side effects as

• Skin irritation
• Eye irritation
• Chest tightness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Skin rash
• Itchiness
• Stomach problem
• Anaphylaxis reaction(severe allergic reaction)
• Faint
• Sleepiness (when consumed in large doses) ²Side effects| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

People allergic to marigolds, chrysanthemums, and daisies have more chance of having hypersensitivity reactions in the body. Although rare, such individuals may experience an anaphylactic reaction on coming in contact with Chamomile.

Given the absence of data on the safety of chamomile, pregnant women and nursing moms shouldn’t consume it or its products.

Dosage

Dosage of Chamomile

• There is no standard dose of Chamomile. Amounts vary in different studies.
• However, in capsule form, one can consume in the range of 900 to 1200 milligrams daily.
• In tea form, one can consume up to 4 cups per day .

Interactions

Interactions of chamomile with medicines

Anticoagulants (blood thinning medicines)

Chamomile camourin has anticoagulant properties, taking Chamomile and anticoagulant together

• Delays the clotting process .
• It can lead to profuse bleeding .

Cancer medicines (breast, ovarian, uterine cancer)

• Taking estrogen and cancer medicines together can worsen the effect of the medicine

Oral contraceptives (birth control pills)

• Chamomile acts as estrogen in the body so, taking chamomile and birth control pills together decreases the impact of birth control pills .

Other health conditions which forbid Chamomile use

An individual under the following medicines must refrain from chamomile use

• Anxiety medicines
• Sleeping pills
• Anti-seizure medicine
• Diabetes medicine
• High Blood pressure medicine
• High cholesterol medicine
• Migraine medicine
• Rheumatoid arthritis medicine
• Psoriasis medicine
• Mental disorder medication
• Malaria medicine
• Tuberculosis medicine
• Asthma medicine
• Muscle relaxant medicine
• Coumadin medicine ¹¹Interactions| Researched based study from Drug.com

Takeaway

Key Takeaways

• Chamomile is widely used for medicinal purposes as well as for cosmetics .
• Chamomile tea is a caffeine-free healthy beverage with immense benefits it has a good apple taste that makes people enjoy chamomile tea .
• It is rich in antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and helps reduce the risk of several health conditions like heart and cancer diseases .
• Chamomile research is minimal, and more research is warranted in humans to confirm its efficiency and use .
• Patients with health conditions must consult a physician before consuming chamomile tea or its supplements .