Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.)
Table of contents
- Brand Names
- Drug Combinations
- Chemistry
- Pharmacologic Category
- Mechanism of Action
- Therapeutic Use
- Pregnancy and Lactation Implications
- Contraindications
- Warnings and Precautions
- Adverse Reactions
- Genes that may be involved
- Inhibits
- Drug Interactions
- Nutrition/Nutraceutical Interactions
- Dosage
- Special Considerations
Brand Names
Europe
Belgium: Kamillosan; Germany: Chamomilla C2, Denisia Nr. 9, Dermabad Baur, Hautbad Baur, Kamillen; Hungary: Chamomilla; Ireland: Kamillosan; Latvia: Kamillosan; Netherlands: Chamomilla; Poland: Azuseptol, Maść Rumiankowa; Portugal: Kamilosan; Spain: Ginejuvent; UK: Ashton & Parsons Infants’ Powders.
North America
Canada: Chamomilla.
Latin America
Brazil: Kamillosan; Mexico: Kamillosan.
Drug combinations
Chamomile: Achillea millefolium; Acidum arsenicosum; Acidum lacticum; Acidum nitricum; Acidum phosphoricum; Acidum picrinicum; Acidum silicicum; Aconitum napellus; Acorus calamus; Aesculus hippocastanum; Aletris farinosa; Allium sativum; Aloe spp.; Alpinia officinarum; Althaea officinalis; Amanita muscaria; Ammi visnaga; Anamirta cocculus; Apis mellifera; Apomorphinum; Arctostaphylos uva-ursi spp.; Argentum nitricum; Arisaema triphyllum spp.; Arnica montana; Artemisia spp.; Asa foetida; Asarum europaeum; Atropa bella-donna; Atropinum sulfuricum; Avena sativa; Baptisia tinctoria; Bellis perennis; Berberis vulgaris; Betula pendula; Bismutum; Blatta orientalis; Bromum; Bromus tectorum spp.; Bryonia spp.; Bursera simaruba; Caesium chloratum; Calcium carbonicum Hahnemanni; Calcium fluoratum; Calcium hypophosphorosum; Calcium phosphoricum; Calcium sulfuricum; Calendula officinalis; Capsella bursa-pastoris; Carbo vegetabilis; Carum carvi; Caulophyllum thalictroides; Centaurium erythraea; Cerium metallicum; Cerium oxalicum; Cetraria islandica; Chelidonium majus spp.; Chininum sulfuricum; Cicuta* virosa; Cimicifuga racemosa *spp.; Cinchona pubescens; Citrullus spp.; Clematis spp.; Cochlearia officinalis; Coffea arabica; Colchicum autumnale; Collinsonia canadensis; Conium maculatum; Crataegus spp.; Cuprum aceticum; Cuprum metallicum; Cuprum sulfuricum; Cyanocobalaminum; Cyclamen purpurascens; Cynanchum vincetoxicum; Cynara scolymus; Daphne mezereum; Datura stramonium; Dioscorea villosa; Drosera; Echinacea spp.; Eriodictyon californicum; Eucalyptus spp.; Eupatorium perfoliatum; Euphrasia spp.; Euspongia officinalis; Ferrum phosphoricum; Ferrum picrinicum; Foeniculum vulgare; Fucus vesiculosus; Fumaria officinalis spp.; Gaultheria procumbens; Gelsemium sempervirens; Grindelia robusta spp.; Hamamelis virginiana; Hepar sui; Hepar sulfuris; Humulus lupulus; Hydrargyrum; Hydrastis canadensis; Hyoscyamus niger; Hypericum perforatum; Iodum; Kalium phosphoricum; Laburnum anagyroides; Lachesis mutus; Lithium carbonicum; Lophophytum leandri; Lycopodium clavatum; Lytta vesicatoria; Magnesium phosphoricum; Magnesium sulfuricum; Malva sylvestris; Manganum aceticum; Marsdenia cundurango; Melissa officinalis; Menyanthes trifoliata; Mercurius solubilis Hahnemanni; Momordica balsamina; Myosotis arvensis; Myrtus communis; Nasturtium officinale spp.; Natrium chloratum; Natrium phosphoricum; Natrium sulfuricum; Nicotiana tabacum; Niacinamide; Nitroglycerinum; Oenanthe crocata; Oxalis acetosella spp.; Passiflora incarnata; Petroleum rectificatum; Peumus boldus; Phosphoric Acid; Phosphorus; Phytolacca americana spp.; Pimpinella spp.; Piper angustifolium; Plantago major; Plumbum aceticum; Podophyllum peltatum; Populus tremula; Potentilla anserina; Psychotria ipecacuanha; Pulmonaria officinalis; Pulsatilla spp.; Reserpinum; Rheum; Robinia pseudoacacia; Rosa canina spp.; Rumex crispus spp.; Ruta graveolens; Rutosidum sulfuricum; Sanguinaria canadensis; Saponaria officinalis; Scrophularia spp.; Selenicereus grandiflorus; Semecarpus anacardium; Sempervivum tectorum; Silybum marianum; Smilax spp.; Sodium Bicarbonate; Solanum dulcamara spp.; Spigelia anthelmia; Stannum metallicum; Stibium metallicum; Stibium sulfuratum nigrum; Strychnos spp.; Sulfur; Symphytum officinale; Taraxacum officinale; Tellurium metallicum; Thuja occidentalis; Tilia spp.; Tussilago farfara; Valeriana officinalis; Vanadium metallicum; Veratrum album; Veronica officinalis; Viburnum opulus spp.; Vinca minor; Viola tricolor; Viscum album; Zanthoxylum spp.; Zincum cyanatum; Zincum isovalerianicum; Zincum metallicum
Chemistry
Chamomile: Dried flower heads of Matricaria recutita L. (Matricaria chamomilla L., Matricaria chamomilla L. var. courrantiana, Chamomilla recutita L.) Rauschert (Fam. Asteraceae).
Pharmacologic Category
Herb. Homeopathic product.
Mechanism of action
The sedative, spasmolytic, and anti-inflammatory activities of chamomile appear to be related to bisabolols, en-indicycloether, and flavonoids. It is considered a carminative (antiflatulent) agent. The plant may be an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis and platelet aggregation. Used topically for a number of disorders, including acne, superficial infection, burns, and wounds. Also has antibacterial activity against strains of Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Candida spp.
Therapeutic use
Carminative, antispasmotic. Insomnia (mild sedative). Anxiolytic. Colic (pharmacologic activity). Common cold. Diaper rash (pharmacologic activity). Diarrhea (children). Indigestion (pharmacologic activity). Minor injury (topical anti-inflammatory). Nausea/vomiting (pharmacologic activity). Oral health (as mouth rinse/gargle). Stress/anxiety (pharmacologic activity). Teething (pharmacologic activity). Uterine tonic. Vaginitis. To flavor cigarette tobacco. Prophylaxis of migraine headaches and arthritis.
Pregnancy and lactiation implications
Excessive use should be avoided due to potential teratogenicity.
Unlabeled use
Contraindications
Use in allergies to members of the Asteraceae family (chrysanthemum, daisy) or ragweed pollens. Use in pregnancy and lactation. Should be avoided in active bleeding, history of bleeding, hemostatic disorders, or drug-related hemostatic problems. Should not be used in children under 2 years of age.
Warnings and precautions
May cause drowsiness. Caution in individuals taking sedative medications. Use with extreme caution in children under 2 years of age and in pregnancy or lactation. Use with caution in individuals on medication and with pre-existing medical conditions. Large and prolonged doses may increase the potential for adverse effects. Herbs may cause transient adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal distress. Use caution in individuals having known allergies to plants. Use with caution in individuals using cytochrome P450-metabolized agents.