Chamomile uses benefits sideeffects

Some of the uses of chamomile herb include in fever, gum inflammation, headache, stress, anxiety, insomnia, ulcers, acne, eczema, psoriasis, gastrointestinal disorders, cold and sore throat, helps in rheumatic pain, hemorrhoids and in treating minor first degree burns.

Chamomile is known as the calming herb which is commonly represented by these two common varieties viz. German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). Both of them are different species but use to cure same type of aliment. It is also known by Baboona, Sonbhal and Babunphul. The word chamomile comes from Greek meaning earth-apple on the ground. It is so called because of the apple-like scent of the plant.

The ancient Chamomile herb is one of the well documented plant. It is  used in healing for both traditional and non traditional medicine. Following are the ancient traditional and time tested benefits of using chamomile.

 Chamomile has been used for centuries as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, mild astringent and healing medicine.

 It is used to treat wounds, ulcers, eczema, gout, skin irritations, bruises, burns, canker sores, neuralgia, sciatica, rheumatic pain, hemorrhoids, mastitis and other ailments.

Chamomile is widely used to treat inflammations of the skin and mucous membranes, and for various bacterial infections of the skin, oral cavity and gums, and respiratory tract. 

Chamomile has been valued as a digestive relaxant and has been used to treat various gastrointestinal disturbances including flatulence, indigestion, diarrhea, anorexia, motion sickness, nausea, and vomiting Chamomile.
benefits of using chamomile herb

It has also been used to treat cough, cold and fevers.

It has been used as a uterine tonic in women.

 It is also effective in arthritis, back pain, bedsores and stomach cramps.

Aqueous solution of chamomile has been used as a mild sedative to calm nerves and reduce anxiety, to treat hysteria, nightmares, insomnia and other sleep problems.

External or tropical traditional uses of Chamomile 

Chamomile act as antiseptic. Because of which it is used for wound healing and prevent infection.
Chamomile act as anti-inflammatory thus helps in wound healing, eczema, chicken pox, diaper rash etc.
Chamomile act as analgesic thereby helps in sprains, backaches, body aches, bruises, joint pain etc.

Scientific evidence based uses of Chamomile

Anxiety

Studies have shown moderate effect pf chamomile extreact in treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

Wound healing

Animal studies has found that Chamomile has proved very effective for healing wound and in other study chamomile promote faster healing process than corticosteriods.
 

Anti- inflammatory

 Chamomile exhibit excellent anti-inflammatory properties and can penetrate below the skin surface into the deeper skin layers.

Anti-cancer

Studies has shown that chamomile extracts cause minimal growth inhibitory effects on normal cells, but showed significant reductions in cell viability in various human cancer cell lines. The main anti-cancer component is apigenin 7-O-glucoside. In other study, chamomile has shown  a good safety profile and significant anticancer activities against androgen-refractory human prostrate cancer PC-3 cells.

Diabetes

Study has suggested that daily consumption of chamomile tea with meals could contribute to the prevention of the progress of hyperglycemia and diabetic complications. In other studies further reveal its protective effect on pancreatic beta cells in diminishing hyperglycemia-related oxidative stress.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease resulting from low bone mass due to excessive bone resorption. Sufferers are prone to bone fractures from relatively minor trauma. In a StudyChamomile extract was shown to stimulate osteoblastic cell differentiation and to exhibit an anti-estrogenic effect, suggesting an estrogen receptor-related mechanism.

Hemorrhoids

Studies suggest that chamomile ointment may improve hemorrhoids.Tincture of Roman chamomile may reduce inflammation associated with hemorrhoids.

Recommended dosage of chamomile is about 2-4 gm.

Ways to use chamomile

The tea infusion is used as a wash or gargle for inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat

Preparation of herbal tea made from dried flowers of chamomile contain many terpenoids and flavonoids contributing to its medicinal properties.

Inhalation of the vaporized essential oils derived from chamomile flowers is recommended to relieve anxiety, general depression.

Add 5-10 drops of chamomile essential oil to a full tub of water to soothe cuts, hemorrhoids, insect bites. 

Make a paste out of chamomile flower with water and apply as poultice to inflamed skin. 

Precaution

Use of chamomile herb in prescribed amount is generally safe.
People suffering from asthma should avoid using chamomile.
Avoid taking it in large quantity as it may cause nausea, vomiting etc.
Allergy check is important as mostly people with allergy to asters, daisies, chrysanthemums or ragweed may be allergic to chamomile as they all belong to the same family.
Avoid using chamomile during pregnancy and lactation.
Avoid driving right after taking chamomile as it can cause drowsiness.
Women with family history of hormone sensitive cancer like breast or uterine should consult to their physician before taking it.  
Always inform health physician about alternative medicine you consume regularly.  

Possible drug interactions

Chamomile is generally regarded as safe but it may cause adverse effect if taken in large dosage regularly. Consult your doctor first, if you are using any of the following medications.
Chamomile taken with any blood thinning medication i.e anti-coagulants and anti-platelets increases the risk of bleeding.   
Using chamomile with any sedative drug or herbs make the effect stronger.
Using chamomile with blood pressure medication, diabetes medication, birth control pill, statins can cause adverse effect.