Chamomile is a pretty white flower in the daisy family, which also seems to have medicinal benefits. It is often boiled as a tea, prepared as an extract, or blended into a cream or ointment for the skin. Despite its long history of use, there is little scientific research to prove chamomile's effect on cardiovascular health. The existing research, however, is promising. Chamomile may well turn out to have a beneficial effect on blood pressure.
Traditional Use
A native of the Old World, chamomile has been used medicinally for millennia. In 2007, ethnobotanists in Spain studied the traditional uses of several herbs, including chamomile. They found that chamomile and its relatives were most often used for abdominal ailments. Chamomile is also used traditionally for sleeplessness and anxiety, two conditions that can be associated with high blood pressure.
Current Research
The journal "Phytotherapy Research" published a review in 2006 that examined existing scientific knowledge on chamomile tea. While the authors found that there isn't enough research to draw any firm conclusions, they did suggest that chamomile may lower cholesterol and slow platelet clumping. Both of these are causes of high blood pressure. Much more research is necessary, but it is possible that chamomile tea can help reduce the onset of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
Chamomile and Anxiety
Though the link between chamomile and cardiovascular health is not yet clear, research shows a significant connection between chamomile and anxiety reduction. A 2009 study published in the "Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology" found that chamomile supplements significantly reduced anxiety in people with generalized anxiety disorder. A British study in 2001 tested aromatherapy massage with chamomile and lavender, and observed a drop in blood pressure, pulse and respiration. Anxiety does not cause high blood pressure, but it can cause temporary blood pressure spikes. Chamomile may therefore be helpful in controlling blood pressure among people with anxiety.
Conclusions
Before chamomile can be legitimately prescribed by doctors for blood pressure, it will need to be thoroughly researched. That said, it is generally considered safe to consume. The only known risk is of an allergic reaction, which usually affect people who are also allergic to plants in the daisy family such as ragweed and chrysanthemums. If you are considering using chamomile for your condition, talk to your doctor about any potential effects.
References
- "Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine"; Analyzing Factors that Influence the Folk Use and Phytonomy of 18 Medicinal Plants in Navarra; S. Akerreta, et al.; 2007
- National Institutes of Health: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Chamomile
- "Phytotherapy Research"; A Review of the Bioactivity and Potential Health Benefits of Chamomile Tea; D.L. McKay, et al.; July 2006
- "Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology"; A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Oral Matricaria Recutita (Chamomile) Extract Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder; J.D. Amsterdam, et al.; August 2009
- "International Journal of Palliative Nursing"; The Role of Aromatherapy Massage in Reducing Anxiety in Patients with Malignant Brain Tumors; N. Hadfield; June 2001
