Diet & Fitness

Topical applications of chamomile have been shown to be moderately effective in the treatment of eczema.^10,11 One trial found it to be about 60% as effective as 0.25% hydrocortisone cream.¹²

A topical preparation of chamomile combined with corticosteroids and antihistamines has been used to speed wound healing in elderly people with stasis ulcers caused by inadequate circulation,¹³ as well as in people who had tattoos removed.¹⁴ Topical use of chamomile ointment was also found to successfully treat mild stasis ulcers in elderly bedridden patients.¹⁵

Traditional herbalists sometimes recommend the topical use of herbs such as St. John’s wort, calendula, chamomile, and plantain, either alone or in combination, to speed wound healing. Clinical trial in humans have not yet validated this traditional practice.

A mouthwash combination that includes sage oil, peppermint oil, menthol, chamomile tincture, expressed juice from echinacea, myrrh tincture, clove oil, and caraway oil has been used successfully to treat gingivitis.¹⁶ In cases of acute gum inflammation, 0.5 ml of the herbal mixture in half a glass of water three times daily is recommended by some herbalists. This herbal preparation should be swished slowly in the mouth before spitting out. To prevent recurrences, slightly less of the mixture can be used less frequently.

A toothpaste containing sage oil, peppermint oil, chamomile tincture, expressed juice from Echinacea purpurea, myrrh tincture, and rhatany tincture has been used to accompany this mouthwash in managing gingivitis.¹⁷

Of the many herbs listed above, chamomile, echinacea, and myrrh should be priorities. These three herbs can provide anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial actions critical to successfully treating gingivitis.

Because of its soothing effect on mucous membranes (including the lining of the mouth) and its healing properties, chamomile may be tried for canker sores and other mouth irritations.¹⁸ A strong tea made from chamomile tincture can be swished in the mouth before swallowing, three to four times per day. Goldenseal has also been used historically as a mouthwash to help heal canker sores.

A mouthwash combination that includes sage oil, peppermint oil, menthol, chamomile tincture, expressed juice from echinacea, myrrh tincture, clove oil, and caraway oil has been used successfully to treat gingivitis.¹⁹ In cases of acute gum inflammation, 0.5 ml of the herbal mixture in half a glass of water three times daily is recommended by some herbalists. This herbal preparation should be swished slowly in the mouth before spitting out. To prevent recurrences, slightly less of the mixture can be used less frequently.

A toothpaste containing sage oil, peppermint oil, chamomile tincture, expressed juice from Echinacea purpurea, myrrh tincture, and rhatany tincture has been used to accompany this mouthwash in managing gingivitis.²⁰

Of the many herbs listed above, chamomile, echinacea, and myrrh should be priorities. These three herbs can provide anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial actions critical to successfully treating gingivitis.

Carminatives are a class of herbs commonly used for infants with colic. These herbs tend to relax intestinal spasms.

Chamomile is a carminative with long history of use as a calming herb and may be used to ease intestinal cramping in colicky infants. A soothing tea made from chamomile, vervain, licorice, fennel, and lemon balm has been shown to relieve colic more effectively than placebo.²¹ In this study, approximately 1/2 cup (150 ml) of tea was given during each colic episode up to a maximum of three times per day.

Carminatives are a class of herbs commonly used for infants with colic. These herbs tend to relax intestinal spasms.

Chamomile is a carminative with long history of use as a calming herb and may be used to ease intestinal cramping in colicky infants. A soothing tea made from chamomile, vervain, licorice, fennel, and lemon balm has been shown to relieve colic more effectively than placebo.²² In this study, approximately 1/2 cup (150 ml) of tea was given during each colic episode up to a maximum of three times per day.

Carminatives (also called aromatic digestive tonics or aromatic bitters) may be used to relieve symptoms of indigestion, particularly when there is excessive gas. It is believed that carminative agents work, at least in part, by relieving spasms in the intestinal tract.²³

Chamomile (German chamomile or Matricaria recutita) is effective in relieving inflamed or irritated mucous membranes of the digestive tract. Since heartburn sometimes involves reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus, the anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile may also be useful. In addition, chamomile promotes normal digestion.²⁴ However, modern studies to prove chamomile beneficial for people with heartburn or indigestion are lacking. Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) has not been studied for indigestion though it has traditionally been used similarly to German chamomile.

Typically taken in tea form, chamomile is recommended three to four times per day between meals. Chamomile tea is prepared by pouring boiling water over dried flowers, and steeping for several minutes. Alternatively, 3–5 ml of chamomile tincture may be added to hot water or 2–3 grams of chamomile in capsule or tablet form may be taken three to four times per day between meals.

Chamomile’s essential oils have eased intestinal cramping and irritation in animals.²⁵ Chamomile is sometimes used by herbalists to relieve alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation, though research has yet to investigate these effects. This herb is typically taken three times per day, between meals, in a tea form by dissolving 2–3 grams of powdered chamomile or by adding 3–5 ml of herbal extract tincture to hot water.

Chamomile, high in the flavonoid apigenin, may soothe injured and inflamed mucous membranes. In addition, a test tube study has shown that apigenin inhibits H. pylori,²⁶ and chamazulene, another active ingredient in chamomile, reduces free radical activity,²⁷ both potential advantages for people with gastritis. Human clinical trials are needed to confirm chamomile’s effectiveness for treating gastritis.

Chamomile has a soothing effect on inflamed and irritated mucous membranes. It is also high in the flavonoid apigenin—another flavonoid that has inhibited growth of H. pylori in test tubes.²⁸ Many doctors recommend drinking two to three cups of strong chamomile tea each day. The tea can be made by combining 3 to 5 ml of chamomile tincture with hot water or by steeping 2 to 3 tsp of chamomile flowers in the water, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes. Chamomile is also available in capsules; two may be taken three times per day.

German doctors practicing herbal medicine often recommend chamomile for people with colitis.²⁹ A cup of strong tea drunk three times per day is standard, along with enemas using the tea when it reaches body temperature.

Chamomile may reduce intestinal cramping and ease the irritation and inflammation associated with diarrhea, according to test tube studies.³⁰ Chamomile is typically taken as a tea. Many doctors recommend dissolving 2–3 grams of powdered chamomile or adding 3–5 ml of a chamomile liquid extract to hot water and drinking it three or more times per day, between meals. Two to three teaspoons (10–15 grams) of the dried flowers can be steeped in a cup of hot water, covered, for ten to fifteen minutes as well.

A variety of anti-inflammatory herbs historically have been recommended by doctors for people with Crohn’s disease. These include yarrow, chamomile, licorice, and aloe juice. Cathartic preparations of aloe should be avoided. No research has been conducted to validate the use of these herbs for Crohn’s disease.

An old folk remedy for anxiety, particularly when it causes insomnia, is chamomile tea. There is evidence from test tube studies that chamomile contains compounds with a calming action.³¹ There are also animal studies that suggest a benefit from chamomile for anxiety,³² but no human studies support this belief. In an eight-week double-blind trial, treatment with a chamomile extract improved anxiety by an average of 50% in people suffering from chronic anxiety. This improvement was significantly greater than the improvement in the placebo group. The amount of chamomile extract used was 220 mg per day of a product standardized to contain 1.2% apigenin. After one week this was increased to 440 mg per day. For people whose anxiety did not improve sufficiently, the amount of extract was increased progressively, to a maximum of 1,100 mg per day by the fifth week of the study.³³ Traditionally, one cup of tea is taken three or more times per day to treat anxiety.

A topical preparation of chamomile combined with corticosteroids and antihistamines has been used to speed wound healing in elderly people with stasis ulcers caused by inadequate circulation,³⁴ as well as in people who had tattoos removed.³⁵ Topical use of chamomile ointment was also found to successfully treat mild stasis ulcers in elderly bedridden patients.³⁶

Traditional herbalists sometimes recommend the topical use of herbs such as St. John’s wort, calendula, chamomile, and plantain, either alone or in combination, to speed wound healing. Clinical trial in humans have not yet validated this traditional practice.

An old folk remedy for anxiety, particularly when it causes insomnia, is chamomile tea. There is evidence from test tube studies that chamomile contains compounds with a calming action.³⁷ There are also animal studies that suggest a benefit from chamomile for anxiety,³⁸ but no human studies support this belief. In an eight-week double-blind trial, treatment with a chamomile extract improved anxiety by an average of 50% in people suffering from chronic anxiety. This improvement was significantly greater than the improvement in the placebo group. The amount of chamomile extract used was 220 mg per day of a product standardized to contain 1.2% apigenin. After one week this was increased to 440 mg per day. For people whose anxiety did not improve sufficiently, the amount of extract was increased progressively, to a maximum of 1,100 mg per day by the fifth week of the study.³⁹ Traditionally, one cup of tea is taken three or more times per day to treat anxiety.

Combining valerian root with other mildly sedating herbs is common both in Europe and the United States. Chamomile, hops, passion flower, lemon balm, American scullcap, and catnip are commonly recommended by doctors.⁴⁰ These herbs can also be used alone as mild sedatives for those suffering from insomnia or nervous exhaustion. Chamomile is a particularly good choice for younger children whose insomnia may be related to gastrointestinal upset. Hops and lemon balm are approved by the German government for relieving sleep disturbances.⁴¹

Several herbs have been traditionally used to treat eye inflammation. Examples include calendula, eyebright, chamomile, and comfrey. None of these herbs has been studied for use in conjunctivitis or blepharitis. As any preparation placed on the eye must be kept sterile, topical use of these herbs in the eyes should only be done under the supervision of an experienced healthcare professional.