Herb Of The Week - Chamomile - Monograph - German

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A German Chamomile monograph ...

 

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www.mcp.edu/herbal/chamomile/chamomile.cis.pdf

 

The Longwood Herbal Task Force (http://www.mcp.edu/herbal/) and The

Center for Holistic Pediatric Education and Research

(http://www.childrenshospital.org/holistic/) Clinician Information

Summary

 

CHAMOMILE (Matricaria recutita, Anthemis nobilis) Paula Gardiner, MD

Page 1 Longwood Herbal Task Force: http://www.mcp.edu/herbal/ Revised

May 18, 2000

 

SUMMARY

 

Chamomile is a widely used medicinal herb, primarily used as a sedative,

anxiolytic, antispasmodic, and treatment for mild skin irritation and

inflammation. Chamomile appears to have potential for the treatment of

eczema and mucositis, although randomized controlled studies have shown

conflicting results. Further clinical trials are also needed to assess

chamomile's efficacy as a sedative, anxiolytic and antispasmodic.

Chamomile is safe when used as directed, although patients with

hypersensitivity to ragweed and other members of the Compositae family

should use caution. There are no clinical trails assessing the safety of

chamomile for children and pregnant women. Although there are two

popular species of Chamomile, German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is

the most widely studied and used.

 

POPULAR USES

 

External uses: Minor wounds, ulcers, chicken pox, diaper rash, poison

ivy, mouth sores, cracked nipples, hemorrhoids, mastitis, gout,

rheumatic pain, and conjunctivitis Internal uses: Sedative and

anxiolytic for hysteria, nervousness, nightmares, and insomnia;

treatment of colds and flu, flatulence, indigestion, diarrhea, anorexia,

motion sickness, nausea, vomiting, colic, croup, and fevers, and to

induce menstruation and strengthen the uterus.

 

ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS

 

German chamomile: Terpenoids (bisabolol, chamazulene, and others),

flavonoids (apigenin and others)

 

Roman chamomile: Terpenoids (chamazazulene and others), flavonoids

(apigenin and others), angelic and tiglic acid esters, coumarins

 

SCIENTIFIC DATA

 

In vitro: In isolated guinea pig ileum, German chamomile inhibits

spasms. Constituents of German chamomile displace flunitrazepam from

benzodiazepine binding sites in rat cerebellar membranes and Muscimol

from GABA receptors in rat cortical membranes. Chamomile's terpenoid and

flavonoid compounds exhibit anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral,

antifungal, antiallergic and antioxidative effects in vitro.

 

In animals: In mice, intraperitoneal apigenin significantly reduced

small and large intestinal transit time and reduced castor oil induced

diarrhea.. In rats, bisabolol inhibited stomach ulcers caused by

stressful stimuli, alcohol, and indomethacin; it also reduced motor

activity. In ovariectomized rats, inhaling chamomile oil vapor decreased

the stress-induced increase of plasma ACTH. In mice, apigenin had

anxiolytic activity without sedation or muscle relaxation at doses

similar to those used for benzodiazepines; higher doses produced mild

sedation. Anti-inflammatory activities of chamomile are well documented

in animals. Topical apigenin inhibited skin cancer in mice.

 

In humans: Double blind controlled studies using chamomile mouthwash

showed mixed results in the treatment of mucositis due to chemotherapy

or radiation. Double blind controlled studies on chamomile's topical

anti-inflammatory effects have also shown mixed results. In a

prospective, double blind, randomized study, children with acute,

non-complicated diarrhea had their diarrhea end significantly sooner

with a pectin/chamomile preparation than with placebo. In a double blind

study of 68 colicky infants, colic was eliminated significantly more

often in those receiving an herbal tea containing German chamomile than

in the controls.

 

TOXICITY AND SIDE EFFECTS

 

Side effects: Allergic reactions are rare. Some individuals allergic to

other members of the Compositae family (ragweed, daisies, etc.) are

allergic to chamomile. Contact dermatitis has been reported.

Interactions with other medications: No herb-drug interactions have been

reported with chamomile. Some herbalists caution against concurrent use

of large doses of chamomile and anticoagulant therapy because of

chamomile's coumarin constituents. Contraindications: Allergy to other

members of the Compositae family Pregnancy and lactation: No clinical

studies evaluating safety. Non-teratogenic. Generally recognized as

safe.

 

Pediatric use: No clinical studies or systematic surveillance evaluating

safety.

 

ADDITIONALRESOURCES

.. Chamomile Complete Monograph:

http://www.mcp.edu/herbal/chamomile/chamomile.pdf

.. Chamomile Patient Fact Sheet:

http://www.mcp.edu/herbal/chamomile/chamomile.ph.pdf

.. OnHealth.com: Monograph based on the German Commission E monograph:

http://onhealth.com/alternative/resource/herbs/item,15963.asp

.. HerbMed from the Alternative Medicine Foundation: Evidence-based

monograph with links to Medline:

http://www.amfoundation.org/herbs/Matricaria.htm

 

Paula Gardiner Chamomile Clinical Information Summary Longwood Herbal

Task Force: http://www.mcp.edu/herbal/default.htm Revised May 18, 2000