Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when acidic stomach contents move up into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation known as heartburn. When this occurs more than twice a week, the disorder is called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. The pain of GERD is localized behind the breastbone or in the middle part of the abdomen and may become severe and even debilitating. Chamomile is a traditional herbal remedy that may relieve some of the pain of GERD. Consult your doctor to discuss whether consuming chamomile is advisable for you.
Causes and Risk Factors
If you have GERD, the band of muscle at the end of your esophagus where it joins the stomach contracts and relaxes at the wrong time, allowing acidic stomach contents to back up into the esophagus. Exactly why this happens is not clear, but risk factors that raise your risk for the disorder include being obese, smoking or being pregnant. Eating certain foods may make GERD worse. These foods include citrus fruits and juices, chocolate, drinks containing alcohol or caffeine, foods containing tomatoes, and fatty, fried or spicy foods.
Chamomile
Two plants are often referred to as chamomile. The first is Roman chamomile and the second is German chamomile. Although they belong to different species, both plants have very similar properties and uses in herbal medicine. Practitioners generally recommend chamomile to relieve anxiety and promote calmness, to help with insomnia and as a general tonic for the digestive tract. Chamomile contains several biologically active compounds that may be responsible for health benefits, including one or more that may help relieve the symptoms of GERD.
Properties
Natural compounds in chamomile include several flavonoids and three volatile oils. One of these oily compounds, called alpha bisabolol, may block muscle spasms in various parts of the body. Abnormal muscle contractions in the esophagus may be an underlying cause for GERD. In parts of Europe, chamomile has been recognized by federal agencies as a useful treatment for many disorders, including GERD.
Recommendations and Precautions
Chamomile is available at health food stores in several forms: as a dried product for tea, as a tincture or in capsules. To relieve symptoms of GERD, you may steep 3 tbsp. of dried herb in boiling water and consume the resulting tea up to four times daily. Alternatively, take 300 to 400 mg of herb in capsules or as a tincture three times each day. Chamomile is generally considered safe, although it may worsen symptoms of asthma, and it may cause an allergic reaction if you are sensitive to asters, daisies, chrysanthemums or ragweed. It may also interact with some medications such as sedatives and blood-thinning drugs. Discuss its use in detail with your doctor before adding it to your routine.
References
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse; Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), abd Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD); May 2007
- NutraSanus: German Chamomile Benefits and Information
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Chamomile; July 15, 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center; German Chamomile; Steven D. Ehrlich; November 2008
- U.S. Pharmacist; Herbal Pharmacy: Chamomile; G. Nemecz
