Can Chamomile Teas Prevent Heart Attacks?

Heart attacks can strike without warning when a blockage in your arteries occurs. As you age, your artery walls can thicken and plaque deposits within the arteries can reduce healthy blood flow. According to the American Heart Association, if arterial plaque comes loose from your artery walls, it can trigger the formation of a blood clot, which then blocks the artery, causing a heart attack. Chamomile, an herb with an ancient medicinal history, may reduce your blood’s ability to clot. Evidence of chamomile’s effects, however, is mostly anecdotal, and the herb may interfere with some medications, so talk to your doctor before using chamomile tea therapeutically.

Chamomile Properties

German chamomile, or Matricaria recutita, is the official medicinal form of chamomile, although its cousin Roman chamomile has similar properties. The “PDR for Herbal Medicines” reports that chamomile contains numerous constituents, including hydroxycoumarins, which may be responsible for the herb’s effect on blood flow in some cases.

Effect on the Heart and Blood

Because chamomile is a coumarin constituent, it may thin the blood. Clinical studies verifying that chamomile is an effective treatment for heart disease, however, are nonexistent. When taken in combination with conventional blood-thinning medications, chamomile may increase the risk of bleeding. In an article published in the April 2006 issue of the "Canadian Medical Association Journal," researchers explored the case of a heart disease patient who suffered from internal hemorrhaging. Although the patient also consumed chamomile, doctors could not pinpoint the herb as the sole cause of the woman’s internal bleeding. There is a “theoretical risk” that chamomile increases bleeding in people already taking blood thinners.

Administration

The PDR suggests preparing a cup of chamomile tea by pouring a cup of boiling water over about 3 tsp. of dried chamomile flowers and letting the hot liquid steep for up to 10 minutes. Drink up to 4 cups per day. If you’re taking any other medications, call your doctor before consuming chamomile tea.

Considerations

Heart disease is a serious disorder, and although chamomile may thin the blood, there is no evidence that it can prevent a heart attack. Do not use chamomile if you are allergic to plants in the daisy family. In addition to interfering with blood thinners, do not drink chamomile tea in combination with alcohol or if you’re taking benzodiazepines.