Chamomile

Background

• There are two types of chamomile: German chamomile and Roman chamomile. This fact sheet focuses on German chamomile.
• Chamomile was described in ancient medical writings and was an important medicinal herb in ancient China, Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
• Today, chamomile is promoted for the common cold, indigestion, anxiety, insomnia, excessive crying in infants (colic), respiratory disorders such as cough and bronchitis, and many other conditions. It is also used topically for some skin conditions and as a mouthwash.

How Much Do We Know?

• Studies of the effectiveness of chamomile for a variety of specific conditions have not produced sufficient reliable evidence to rate clinical usefulness. Also, some studies look at products made of chamomile plus other herbs, so it is difficult to know chamomile’s exact role from those studies.

What Have We Learned?

• Some preliminary studies suggest that a chamomile dietary supplement might be helpful for generalized anxiety disorder and associated depression.
• Some research has found that products containing certain combinations of herbs that include chamomile may be of benefit for diarrhea in children and for infants with colic. But chamomile alone has not been shown to be helpful for these conditions.
• Small studies suggest that mouthwashes containing chamomile might prevent or treat swelling or irritation in the mouth resulting from radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or stem cell transplantation.
• There’s very little information on chamomile’s effect on insomnia. A 2019 review of chamomile use found one study on insomnia, which found no benefit from its use for this sleep disorder.

What Do We Know About Safety?

• Chamomile is likely safe when used orally in amounts commonly found in teas and other foods. It is possibly safe when used by adults and children orally for medicinal purposes over the short term. Using chamomile on the skin in adults and children or as an oral rinse for medicinal purposes is possibly safe at certain doses and over the short term. 
• Side effects are uncommon and may include nausea, dizziness, and allergic reactions, including severe hypersensitivity reactions and anaphylaxis, in some people. If used near the eyes, chamomile might cause eye irritation.
• People are more likely to experience allergic reactions to chamomile if they’re allergic to related plants such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, or daisies.
• Chamomile might have some of the same effects as estrogen. Preliminary studies suggest that taking chamomile along with birth control pills might decrease the effects of birth control pills. In addition, chamomile might worsen any condition that is sensitive to exposure to estrogen, such as breast or uterine cancer.
• Interactions between chamomile and some drugs metabolized by the liver and warfarin (a blood thinner) have been reported, and there are theoretical reasons to suspect that chamomile might interact with other drugs as well, such as sedatives. If you take any type of medicine, talk with your health care provider before using chamomile or other herbal products; some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways.
• Little is known about whether it’s safe to use chamomile during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. 

Keep in Mind

• Take charge of your health—talk with your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use. Together, you can make shared, well-informed decisions.
•  Federal Regulation of Herbal Products
  • Depending on what’s in them, how they’re intended to be used, and how they’re administered (orally or topically), herbal products are regulated in a variety of ways. Many herbal products intended for oral use are marketed as dietary supplements. The rules for making and distributing dietary supplements are less strict than those for drugs.
  • Unlike drugs, dietary supplements are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they are sold to the public. When public health concerns arise about the safety of a dietary supplement or an ingredient including an herb, the FDA can take action to protect the public. Manufacturers and distributors of supplements are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all regulatory requirements. 

For More Information

• Using Dietary Supplements Wisely
• Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact
• Know the Science: How To Make Sense of a Scientific Journal Article

Key References