Humans have used the chamomile plant as a source of food and medicine for thousands of years, and modern-day herbalists use the flowers and essential oils of chamomile for digestive problems, insomnia, inflammation, wound healing and infection. The flowers contain a range of medicinal chemicals responsible for these health benefits, such as chamazulene, bisabolol, quercetin, apigenin, luteolin and mucilage. Check with a registered medical herbalist and a doctor before using chamomile for any condition. Some individuals have an allergic reaction to chamomile, and it can interfere with certain medications.
Immune Function
Traditionally chamomile flowers are used where immune function is hyperactive such as in allergies and inflammation. However, recent studies have shown that chamomile also stimulates immune function when it is low. According to an article published in "Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology" in 2011, Helwan University researchers in Egypt studied the immunomodulatory effects of chamomile flowers. Using wild chamomile flowers growing in Egypt, researchers treated mice with artificially suppressed immune function. Chamomile significantly increased spleen weight, bone-marrow growth and white blood cell counts of the animals. Researchers concluded that chamomile may help to prevent infection and improve immune function in humans as well.
Nerve Receptors
Chamomile has been used for centuries as a tonic to aid in sleep and relaxation, acting as a sedative on the central nervous system. In addition to this, chamomile may help to reduce pain and improve mood through supporting levels of an endorphin called enkephalin in the body. In a study published in the "Journal of Pharmacological Sciences" in 2003, researchers from Assiut University in Egypt investigated the effects of chamomile on rats addicted to morphine. Chamomile supported the rats and reduced their withdrawal symptoms, showing an action similar to benzodiazepine drugs. While morphine withrdrawal usually reduces enkephalin levels, rats given chamomile had significantly higher enkephalin levels than normal.
Antibacterial
Chamomile flowers are a rich source of essential oils with antiseptic and antibacterial properties. In a study published in "Phytotherapy Research" in 2008, researchers from Russia investigated the antibacterial actions of chamomile oils on helicobacter pylori, a bacteria known for causing stomach ulcers in humans. Chamomile helped to inhibit the growth of the helicobacter pylori strains in vitro and had a specific antibacterial action against it. When suffering from stomach ulcers where helicobacter pylori has been identified as a causative factor, chamomile products may help to improve digestion, stimulate wound healing and eliminate infection. Speak with your health-care practitioner if you think you might have a stomach ulcer and before attempting any herbal remedy.
Safety and Toxicity
Chamomile has been used as a source of food and medicine for at least hundreds of years throughout Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. However, some members of the population may experience adverse effects from taking chamomile. According to Drug Information Online, chamomile can cause allergies in some people, resulting in dermatitis, asthma, sneezing and anaphylaxis. If you have a known allergy to other plants from the Asteracaea family, such as ragweed, daisy, aster or chrysanthemums, use chamomile products with caution. Avoid using chamomile during pregnancy and lactation. Consult with your doctor before combining chamomile with prescription drugs, as it can interact with some medications.
References
- "Molecular Medicines Report"; Chamomile: A Herbal Medicine of the Past with Bright Future; J.K. Srivastava, et al.; 2010
- "Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology"; Evaluation of Immunomodulatory Effect of Three Herbal Plants Growing in Egypt; M. Ghonime, et al.; 2011
- "Journal of Pharmacological Sciences"; Matricaria chamomilla Extract Inhibits Both Development of Morphine Dependence and Expression of Abstinence Syndrome in Rat; Adel Gomaa, et al.; 2003
- "Phytotherapy Research"; Antibacterial activity of Chamomilla recutita oil extract against Helicobacter pylori; A.N. Shikov, et al.; 2008
- "Drug Information Online": Chamomile
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