Roman chamomile: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
Noble chamomile
Scientific name(s)
Chamaemelum nobile, Anthemis nobilis, Ormenis nobilis
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Apigenin
Quercetin
Flavonoids
Coumarins
Sesquiterpenes
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Emotional balance ✪✪✪✪✪
Chamomile significantly reduces anxiety compared with placebo. A study was conducted on 56 coronary patients scheduled for stent placement. In treated patients, inhalation of a blend based on Roman chamomile, lavender, and neroli, compared with the control group, significantly reduced their anxiety and improved their sleep quality, without causing additional adverse effects. This essential oil is particularly useful for treating conditions of nervous origin: anxiety, depression, stress... It is therefore well suited to the treatment of asthma, as it is often triggered by a disorder of psychological origin. In a randomized study of 54 chronic asthmatic patients, inhalation of 100 mg/kg of chamomile per day for 21 days indeed showed a relaxing effect on the airways and therefore an improvement in respiratory function. The essential oil can be taken orally on a neutral tablet.
Posologie
Oral: flower
essential oil
Synergies
Sleep disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
The use of noble chamomile essential oil is known to improve sleep. A study was conducted on 56 coronary patients scheduled to undergo stent placement. In treated patients, inhalation of a blend based on Roman chamomile, lavender, and neroli, compared with the control group, significantly reduced their anxiety and improved the quality of their sleep, without causing additional adverse effects. The essential oil can be taken orally, on a neutral tablet.
Posologie
Oral route: flower
essential oil
Dermatoses ✪✪✪✪✪
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 55 patients with oral lichen planus, the effect of a gel containing 2% chamomile was compared to a placebo base gel when applied topically to the affected areas of the oral cavity at a dose of 0.5 ml three times daily for 4 weeks. In the chamomile group, 92% of patients showed some improvement, with 5 patients showing complete resolution, whereas in the placebo group only 19.2% responded to treatment and none showed complete resolution. The chamomile group also showed significant improvements from baseline in terms of pain, burning sensation, itching, and oral health impact profile; whereas no significant changes were observed in the placebo group. Lichen planus is an itchy rash caused by an immune response. It can occur anywhere on the skin. Traditionally for external use, Roman chamomile is indicated for minor inflammations of the oral mucosa and of the skin in wounds and abrasions; as an anti-itching agent.
Posologie
Topical use: flower
essential oil, oil macerate
Efficacy of topical chamomile management vs. placebo in patients with oral lichen planus: a randomized double-blind study
Comparartive Study of Zataria Multiflora and Anthemis Nobelis Extracts With Myrthus Communis Preparation in The Treatment of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis
[Effect of chamomile on wound healing--a clinical double-blind study]
Chamomillae romanae flos - Roman Chamomile Flower
Digestive disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
Traditionally used as a symptomatic treatment for mild dyspeptic disorders and spasmodic gastrointestinal disorders, including bloating, nausea, flatulence and loss of appetite.
Posologie
Oral use: flower
178 mg
infusion, essential oil, mother tincture, dry extract
Dysmenorrhea ✪✪✪✪✪
Traditionally, Roman chamomile infusion is used to relieve painful menstrual periods. Chamomile relieves pain and menstrual disorders through its calming, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects. The essential oil is also recommended for external use: 5 drops diluted in a vegetable oil, massaged onto the painful areas.
Posologie
Oral use: flower
infusion, essential oil, mother tincture, dry extract
Gastritis ✪✪✪✪✪
Traditionally used in cases of gastritis, heartburn, as an adjunct in gastric ulcers.
Posologie
Oral use: flower
infusion, mother tincture, dry extract
Intestinal parasitic infections ✪✪✪✪✪
Property of the essential oil against hookworm infections for internal use.
Posologie
Oral use: flower
essential oil
Flatulence ✪✪✪✪✪
Traditionally used as a symptomatic treatment for mild dyspeptic disorders including bloating and flatulence.
Posologie
Oral use: flower
178 mg
infusion, essential oil, mother tincture, dry extract
Itching ✪✪✪✪✪
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 55 patients with oral lichen planus, the effect of a gel containing 2% chamomile was compared with a placebo base gel when applied topically to the affected areas of the oral cavity at a dose of 0.5 ml three times a day for 4 weeks. The chamomile group showed significant improvements from baseline in terms of itching, whereas no significant changes were observed in the placebo group. Traditionally, it is used externally as an agent to relieve itching.
Posologie
Topical use: flower
gel, essential oil
Properties
Sedative
It has been suggested that chamomile's sedative effect comes from its components, including apigenin, which would stimulate GABA receptors, producing the same effect as benzodiazepines. Roman chamomile essential oil is muscle-relaxing and antidepressant thanks to isobutyl angelate (esters).
Usages associés
Anti-inflammatory
Polysaccharides isolated from an aqueous extract of Roman chamomile flower, as well as its essential oil, have anti-inflammatory properties. Laboratory studies have shown that Roman chamomile is capable of preventing lipid oxidation and increasing the neutralization of free radicals. It has also been noted that a decoction of Roman chamomile exhibits lower anti-inflammatory activity than an infusion or a methanol extract. This difference is likely due to a lower concentration of phenolic acids and organic acids in the decoction.
Usages associés
Antimicrobial
The studied essential oil demonstrated remarkable efficacy against several microbes. nnIt is particularly active against Salmonella sp., which causes food poisoning, and E. coli, associated with digestive symptoms such as cramps and diarrhea. nnIts main component, isobutyl angelate, is effective against Staphylococcus aureus, responsible for skin infections, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, associated with respiratory infections. nnThe oil also showed moderate efficacy against the yeast C. albicans. It inhibits certain bacteria, fungi, and viruses, including strains of Porphyromonas gingivalis found in cases of periodontitis, and even methicillin-resistant S. aureus. nn
Usages associés
Antispasmodic
Roman chamomile essential oil is rich in esters, chemical components that give it spasmolytic properties useful in cases of muscular and nervous spasms. nn
Usages associés
Anticancer
Some in vitro studies show that ethyl acetate extracts made from the aerial parts of Roman chamomile exhibit cytotoxicity against human breast adenocarcinoma cell lines (MCF-7), human erythroleukemia (K562), and human malignant melanoma (SKMEL-3). nnThe anticancer effects may be due to the presence of phenolic compounds, including flavonoids, as well as polyphenols such as apigenin. The sesquiterpenoid nobiline also shows signs of antitumor activity. nn
Antihypertensive
Some animal research shows that administration of an aqueous extract of Roman chamomile at 140 mg/kg per day for three weeks reduces systolic blood pressure, increases urine flow, and increases electrolyte excretion. Some in vitro studies suggest that an aqueous extract of Roman chamomile may have vasorelaxant effects.
Safe dosage
Adults aged 18 years and older: 1 g - 12 g (infusion)
Recommended dosage: flower heads 1-4 g per infusion (10 to 15 min) three times a day.
Interactions
Médicaments
Benzodiazepines: moderate interaction
The sedative effects of chamomile and benzodiazepines may be additive.
Central nervous system depressants: moderate interaction
The sedative effects of chamomile and central nervous system depressants may be additive.
Cytochrome P450 substrates: moderate interaction
Chamomile components may inhibit cytochrome activity and reduce the elimination of substances they metabolize.
Estrogens: moderate interaction
Chamomile may compete with estrogens for their receptors and thus reduce their effects.
Tamoxifen: moderate interaction
Chamomile interferes with tamoxifen because of its estrogenic activity (the apigenin present in chamomile regulates the production of estrogens).
Warfarin: moderate interaction
Chamomile may enhance the effect of warfarin and thus increase the risk of bleeding.
Antiplatelet agents/Anticoagulants: minor interaction
As a precaution, Roman chamomile should not be used at the same time as aspirin, warfarin, or other substances with anticoagulant activity.
Aspirin: minor interaction
As a precaution, Roman chamomile should not be used at the same time as aspirin, warfarin, or other substances with anticoagulant activity.
Benzodiazepines: minor interaction
Because apigenin is a ligand of the central benzodiazepine receptor, Roman chamomile should not be used at the same time as diazepam or other benzodiazepines, as this could potentiate their effect.
Cytochrome P450 3A4: weak interaction
Some components may inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4 enzymes. Roman chamomile essential oil has shown a 40% inhibition of CYP3A4 activity.
Precautions
Allergies: avoid
Use of Roman chamomile may cause an allergic reaction in people sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this family include marigolds, daisies, arnica and many other plants.
Contraindications
Children up to 12 years: contraindicated
Contraindicated in children.
Pregnant women: contraindicated
Some demographic research has revealed a possible link between the use of Roman chamomile and an increased incidence of low birth weight, miscarriage, and preterm labor. nnThere is not enough reliable information available on the safety of topical use of Roman chamomile during pregnancy.nn
Breastfeeding woman: prohibited
Roman chamomile should not be taken orally during breastfeeding without medical advice.nn
