Synonyms/Common Names/Related Substances:

• (-)-alpha-bisabolol, abkit CamoCare Gold®, angelate esters, anthecotulid, anthemic acid, Anthemis arvensis, Anthemis cotula, Anthemis nobile, Anthemis nobilis, Anthemis xylopoda, anthemol, apigenin, apigetrin, apiin, Asteraceae (family), azulene, baboonig, babuna, babunah, babunah camomile, babunj, bunga kamil, cadinene, camamila, camomile, camomile sauvage, camomilla, camomille allemande (French), Campomilla, capric acid, chamaemeloside, Chamaemelum nobile L., chamazulene, chamomile flowers, chamomile mouthwash, chamomilla, chamomilla recutita, chamomillae ramane flos, chamomille commune, choline, classic chamomile, common chamomile, Compositae (family), coumarins, double chamomile, echte Kamille (German), English chamomile, farnesene, farnesol, Feldkamille (German), flavonoids, fleur de camomile, fleurs de petite camomille, Flores Anthemidis, flos chamomillae, furfural, garden chamomile, germacranolide, German chamomile, grosse Kamille (German), grote Kamille (Dutch), ground apple, guaiazulene, heniarin, Hungarian chamomile, inositol, Kamille (German), Kamillen (German), kamitsure, kamiture, kleme kamille, lawn chamomile, low chamomile, luteolin, manzanilla (Spanish), manzanilla chiquita (Spanish), manzanilla común (Spanish), manzanilla dulce (Spanish), matricaire, Matricaria chamomilla, Matricaria maritime (L), Matricaria recutita, Matricaria suaveolens, matricariae flos, matricariae flowers, matricarin, matricin, martricine, may-then, myricetin, nerolidol, nobilin, patuletin, phenolic acids, phytosterol, pin heads, proazulenes, quercimeritrin, quercitin, Romaine, romaine manzanilla, Roman chamomile, romische Kamille (German), rutin, scopoletin-7-glucoside, sesquiterpenes, Simicort®, single chamomile, spanthulenol, spiroethers, sweet chamomile, sweet false chamomile, sweet feverfew, tannins, terpenoid, tiglic acid esters, triancontane, tricontane, true chamomile, umbelliferone, whig-plant, wild chamomile.
• Combination product examples: ColiMil® (Matricaria recutita flowers extract), Diarrhoesan® (apple pectin and chamomile), Iberogast™ (Iberis amara, peppermint, chamomile), Imedeen® Prime Renewal (soy extract, fish protein polysaccharides, extracts from white tea, grape seed, and tomato, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and chamomile extract), Kamillosan® (chamomile, corn oil, lanolin, beeswax, yellow soft paraffin, emulsifying wax), STW 5 (Iberis, peppermint, chamomile), STW 5/Iberogast® (extracts of bitter candy tuft, lemon balm leaf, chamomile flower, caraway fruit, peppermint leaf, licorice root, Angelica root, milk thistle fruit, and greater celandine herb)
• Note: This monograph does not discuss in detail therapies using a combination of chamomile and other herbs and/or supplements.

Clinical Bottom Line/Effectiveness

Brief Background:

• Chamomile has been used medicinally for thousands of years, and it is widely used in Europe. It is a popular treatment for numerous ailments, including sleep disorders, anxiety, digestion/intestinal conditions, skin infections/inflammation (including eczema), wound healing, infantile colic, teething pains, and diaper rash. In the United States, chamomile is best known as an ingredient in herbal tea preparations that are used as mild sedatives.
• German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) are the two major types of chamomile used for health conditions. They are believed to have similar effects on the body, although German chamomile may be slightly stronger. Most research has used German chamomile, which is more commonly used everywhere except for England, where Roman chamomile is more common.
• Although chamomile is widely used, there is not enough reliable research in humans to support its use for any condition. Despite its reputation as a gentle medicinal plant, there are many reports of allergic reactions, including life-threatening anaphylaxis, in people who ate or came into contact with chamomile preparations.

Dosing/Toxicology

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Precautions/Contraindications

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Interactions

Most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested for interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs, or foods. The interactions listed below are based on reports in scientific publications, laboratory experiments, or traditional use. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy.

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Mechanism of Action

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History

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Evidence Table

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Evidence Discussion

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Products Studied

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Author Information

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References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

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