Re: Digestive Disturbances- Natural Remedies (Chamomile)

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As a follow up with more detailed information on Chamomile that can

be used to help alleviate digestive problems, I have pasted below a

part of a peer-reviewed medical resource called Healthnotes. This

resource was the brainchild of one of the most respected alternative

medical doctors, Alan Gaby, MD. Gaby is a professor at the most

prestigious alternative medical college in the nation, Bastyr

University, so I feel very comfortable as to the accuracy and

reliability of this information.

So you feel completely comfortable with the accuracy, I am copying a

summary of a description of the publication. The Healthnotes

writing team is composed of experts in complementary and alternative

medicine from the fields of medicine, pharmacy, nursing,

naturopathy, public health, and chiropractic, overseen by our Chief

Medical Editor, Alan Gaby, MD. No other organization has a group

with so much combined expertise as practitioners and educators in

this emerging field. Crucial to the integrity of Healthnotes

information is the balance, objectivity, and discipline upon which

our writers insist. Combing through over 550 journals on a regular

basis, the team prides itself on being completely up-to-date in each

member's area of expertise.

Beth

CHAMOMILE

Botanical name: Matricaria recutita

HEALTH CONDITIONS

SECONDARY; Colic, Eczema, Gingivitis OTHER; Wound healing, Anxiety,

Canker sores, Conjunctivitis/blepharitis, Crohn's disease,

Diarrhea,

Gastritis, Indigestion and heartburn, Insomnia, Irritable bowel

syndrome, Peptic ulcer, Ulcerative colitis

BOTANY

Chamomile, a member of the daisy family, is native to Europe and

western Asia. German chamomile is the most commonly used. The dried

and fresh flowers are used medicinally.

HISTORICAL or TRADITIONAL USE

Chamomile has been used for centuries in Europe as a medicinal

plant, mostly for gastrointestinal complaints. This practice

continues today.

ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS and PROPOSED MECHANISM of ACTION

The flowers of chamomile contain 1–2% volatile oils including

alpha-

bisabolol, alpha-bisabolol oxides A & B, and matricin (usually

converted to chamazulene).(1) Other active constituents include the

flavonoids apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin. These active

ingredients contribute to chamomile's anti-inflammatory,

antispasmodic, and smooth-muscle relaxing action, particularly in

the gastrointestinal tract.(2 3 4 5)

Topical applications of chamomile have been shown to be moderately

effective in the treatment of eczema.(6 7) One double-blind trial

found it to be about 60% as effective as 0.25% hydrocortisone cream.

(8) Topical use of chamomile ointment was also found to successfully

treat mild stasis ulcers bed sores in elderly bedridden patients.(9)

RECOMMENDED DOSAGE

Chamomile is often taken three to four times daily between meals(10)

as a tea. Common alternatives are to use 2–3 grams of the herb in

tablet or capsule form or 4–6 ml of tincture TID between meals.

Standardized extracts containing 1% apigenin and 0.5% volatile oils

may also be used. One to two capsules containing 300–400 mg of

extract may be taken TID. Topical creams or ointments can be applied

to the affected area three to four times daily.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Though rare, allergic reactions to chamomile have been reported.(11)

These reactions have included bronchial constriction with internal

use and allergic skin reactions with topical use.(12) While reports

of such side effects are uncommon, people with allergies to plants

of the Asteraceae family (ragweed, aster, and chrysanthemums), as

well as mugwort pollen should avoid using chamomile.(13) Chamomile

is usually considered to be safe during pregnancy or breast-feeding.

However, there is one case report in which a pregnant woman who took

chamomile as an enema had an allergic reaction that led to the death

of her newborn.(14)

Are there any drug interactions?

Certain medicines may interact with chamomile. Refer to drug

interactions for a list of those medicines.

REFERENCES:

1. Wichtl M. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Boca Raton, FL:

CRC Press, 1994, 322–5.

2. Jakolev V, Isaac O, Thiemer K, Kunde R. Pharmacological

investigations with compounds of chamomile. II. New investigations

on the antiphlogistic effects of (-)-alpha-bisabolol and bisabolol

oxides. Planta Med 1979;35:125–40.

3. Jakolev V, Isaac O, Flaskamp E. Pharmacological investigations

with compounds of chamomile. VI. Investigations on the

antiphlogistic effects of chamazulene and matricine. Planta Med

1983;49:67–73.

4. Della Loggia R, Tubaro A, Dri P, et al. The role of flavonoids in

the antiinflammatory activity of Chamomilla recutita. In Plant

Flavonoids in Biology and Medicine: Biochemical, Pharmacological,

and Structure-Activity Relationships. Cody V, Middleton E, Harbone

JB (eds). New York: Alan R. Liss, 1986, 481–4.

5. Achterrath-Tuckermann U, Kunde R, Flaskamp E, et al.

Pharmacological investigations with compounds of chamomile. V.

Investigations on the spasmolytic effect of compounds of chamomile

and Kamillosan on the isolated guinea pig ileum. Planta Med

1980;39:38–50.

6. Nissen HP, Blitz H, Kreyel HW. Prolifometrie, eine methode zur

beurteilung der therapeutischen wirsamkeit kon Kamillosan®-Salbe.

Z

Hautkr 1988;63:184–90.

7. Aergeerts P, Albring M, Klaschka F, et al. Vergleichende

prüfung

von Kamillosan®-creme gegenüber seroidalen (0.25%

hydrocortison,

0.75% flucotinbutylester) and nichseroidaseln (5% bufexamac) externa

in der erhaltungsterpaie von ekzemerkrankungen. Z Hautkr

1985;60:270–

7.

8. Albring M, Albrecht H, Alcorn G, Lüker PW. The measuring of the

antiinflammatory effect of a compound on the skin of volunteers.

Meth Find Exp Clin Pharmacol 1983;5:75–7.

9. Glowania HJ, in C, Swoboda M. The effect of chamomile on

wound healing - a controlled, clinical, experimental double-blind

trial. Z Hautkr 1987;62:1262–71.

10. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete

Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines.

Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, 107.

11. Brown DJ. Herbal Prescriptions for Better Health. Rocklin, CA:

Prima Publishing, 1996, 49–56.

12. Foti C, Nettis E, Panebianco R, et al. Contact urticaria from

Matricaria chemomilla. Contact Derm 2000;42:360–1.

13. Reider N, Sepp N, Fritsch P, et al. Anaphylaxis to chamomile:

clinical features and allergen cross-reactivity. Clin Experiment

Allergy 2000;30:1436–43.

14. Jensen-Jarolim E, Reider N, Fritsch R, Brieteneder H. Fatal

outcome of anaphylaxis to chamomile-containing enema during labor: A

case study. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1998;102:1041–2.

Copyright © 2004 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved.

www.healthnotes.com

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug

Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat,

cure or prevent any disease.