The medicinal use of chamomile dates back thousands of years. As of February 2011, it is approved by the German regulatory agency for herbs for treating various health conditions and for use in medicinal baths for alleviating skin irritations. However, very little scientific information is available regarding its effectiveness for any health problem, and it is considered a dietary supplement in the United States. Therefore, as with any herbal supplement, talk to your healthcare provider first before using chamomile.
Identification and Dosing
Of the two varieties of chamomile used medicinally, German chamomile is used more frequently in the U.S. It is also known as wild or genuine chamomile. The flower of the plant is used to make teas and other forms, such as pills and liquid extracts. According to Drugs.com, usual daily doses of chamomile range from 9 to 15 grams. The same site reports that research studies have used 8 g in 1000 milliliters of water as a gargle.
Uses
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM, chamomile is frequently used for insomnia, nervousness, and stomach complaints such as diarrhea and gas. It is also occasionally applied to the skin in bandages soaked in chamomile for treating skin problems, and it is used to treat ulcers in the mouth resulting from cancer drug treatment, notes the NCCAM. In addition, reports Drugs.com, chamomile is inhaled to alleviate respiratory irritation, and it is used in baths for genital soreness.
Effectiveness
Preliminary scientific information indicates that chamomile may be beneficial for managing selected skin problems and drug-induced mouth ulcers from cancer chemotherapy, reports NCCAM. There is also some information that suggests chamomile, when combined with other herbs, may be useful in alleviating stomach distress, diarrhea in kids and colic in infants, reports the NCCAM. According to the NCCAM, as of February 2011, studies are being conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of chamomile for anxiety disorder and pain from intestinal disorders in kids.
Considerations
According to Drugs.com, allergic reactions to chamomile are frequently noted, including some severe reactions, such as anaphylaxis reported from use of the tea and oil. Use of enemas containing chamomile have also caused anaphylactic reactions, warns Drugs.com. Other reported effects from chamomile include skin irritation, stomach upset, tearing, and sneezing, says Drugs.com. In large amounts, cautions Drugs.com., chamomile can also induce vomiting.
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