The Top 7 Less Known Benefits of Chamomile

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) belongs to the Asteraceae family, and is a medicinal plant that has been popularized all around the world for its heap of curative benefits.

It has been used for thousands of years in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

The Anglo-Saxons believed it to be one of nine sacred herbs given to humans by the lord. It is commonly referred to as the “star among medicinal species” for its bounty of therapeutic, cosmetic, and nutritional values (1).

Many use chamomile as a calming agent, but what less known is its other wide-ranging benefits, including:

• Hay fever
• Inflammation
• Muscle spasms
• Menstrual cramps
• Insomnia
• Ulcers
• Wounds
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Rheumatic pain
• Hemorrhoids (2)

It is a well-known fact that chamomile is the tea-of-choice for sleep and insomnia. So in this article, I wanted to highlight some of the less acknowledged benefits of chamomile.

Here are the Top 7 Less Known Benefits of Chamomile.

 

1. Pharmacological Benefits

The main constituents found in chamomile essential oil are alpha-bisabolol and matricin.

Matricin is converted to chamazulene during the extraction process, which is anywhere from 1-2% potent in concentration. This is where the magic happens (9).

Other bioflavonoids include apigenin, luteolion, and quercetin. The healing properties of the bioflavonoids as a whole include:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-spasmodic effects
• Wound-healing
• Anti-microbial
• Carminative (4).

 

2. Aromatherapy

Essential oil extracted from the chamomile flower can be used for aromatherapy. It can be absorbed through the skin, or inhaled through the mouth.

The skin process begins with essentials oils topically applied after being diluted with a carrier oil.

After a few minutes of massage, bath, or skin treatment, the oils are absorbed by the skin along with their nutraceutical benefits.

In inhaled aromatherapy, a few drops are applied on a cloth or directly in a boiling cup of water, and the patient is then proceeded to inhale the steam from the oil.

Both aromatherapy methods can effectively heal and suppress:

• Canker sores
• Eczema
• Fungal infections
• Measles
• Anxiety
• Headaches
• Muscle aches (3, 10)

 

3. Stress

One of the most sought after benefits of chamomile tea is the calm-inducing effects it exerts.

Many swear by its anxiety relief, as a heavy dosage has extremely potent effects. It could be debated that chamomile rivals conventional opiates and even cannabis in the stress-relief department.

One study found that chamomile reduced the adrenocorticotropic hormone, the hormone that stimulates the production of cortisol. Chamomile was found to exert a benzodiazepine-like hypnotic effect (2).

Although it is still relatively unknown whether chamomile can effectively treat anxiety disorders, many lines of research suggest that its flavonoid content produces anxiolytic effects through noradrenalin, dopamine, and serotonin neurotransmission (12).

Its stress-relieving properties can also target 

• Hypertension
• Eating disorders
• Epilepsy
• Alcohol withdrawal
• ADHD
• Scarlet fever (5)

 

4. Pain Healing 

Chamomile possesses anti-pain properties that treat

• Muscle spasms
• Fractures
• Menstrual pains
• Fibromyalgia
• Ulcers
• Arthritis (2, 5)

One study reports that chamomile can alleviate the pain of a child who is teething, crush a rock in the bladder, eliminate stomach worms, and cure gastritis with ease.

By the same token, topical applications of the essential oil can heal wounds and scars (14).

 

5. Anti-Inflammation

Notably, chamomile was traditionally to treat inflammations of the skin and mucous membranes. This is also likely the result of its vast skin health benefits (2).

One study demonstrated that chamomile effectively inhibits NO production and iNOS expression in the body, the cells that mediate inflammation. As a result, chamomile actually strengthens the immune response, which quells the downstream of inflammation that is impairing the cell membrane (13).

The anti-inflammation benefits administer relief for

• Bunions
• Burns
• Cuts & wounds
• Inflammatory bowel
• Diverticulitis
• Colic (6)

 

6. Skin Health

Chamomile is a powerful remedy for skin health, and has been traditionally used for this therapy for hundreds of years.

Alongside skin irritations, rashes, burns, and other skin-related wounds, chamomile is also an effective for treating bacterias of the skin. Roman chamomile in particular is distinguished for the smoothening and softening of the skin (2).

The skin ailment properties of Chamomile can treat

• Chicken pox
• Cradle cap
• Corns
• Ovarian cysts
• Psoriasis
• Dermatitis
• Rashes
• Rosacea (7)

 

7. Digestive System

The gastrointestinal benefits of chamomile are perhaps the least renowned in comparison to the other 6 benefits. Yet, they are among the most important.

Its detoxifying agents provide management for

• Constipation
• Gastritis
• Diarrhea
• Heart burn
• Indigestion
• Stomach aches (8)

This is the result of its extensive flavonoids, quercetin, rutin, and gallic acid composition.

One study measured the effects of chamomile extract on acute diarrhea when combined with myrrh and coffee charcoal. The results indicated a safe and well tolerated effect that could rival conventional treatments (11). 

Conclusion

There is no question as to why chamomile was regarded so high in ancient times.

Even with today’s medical technology and standards, chamomile bears benefits in more sectors of medicine than the majority of conventional ailments prescribed today.

Whether it be a skin condition, stress-related, indigestion, mouth infection, pain infliction or inflammation – chamomile has a cure for you.