Camomile

Chinese name: Yang gan ju
Medical Name: Flos seu herba matricariae recutitae
Latin Name: Matricaria recutita
Origin: Flower heads
Property: Cool
Taste: Bitter, pungent

Quotes from Chinese historical sources

Western Research

Nat Prod Res. 2008;22(14):1197-202
Evaluation of topical Matricaria chamomilla extract activity on linear incisional wound healing in albino rats.
Jarrahi M, Vafaei AA, Taherian AA, Miladi H, Rashidi Pour A.
Physiology Research Centre, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran. jarrahi44@yahoo.com
In this investigation, the effect of Matricaria chamomilla extract on linear incisional wound healing was studied. Thirty male Wistar rats were subjected to a linear 3 cm incision made over the skin of the back. The animals were randomly divided into three experimental groups, as control, olive oil, and treatment. Control group did not receive any drug or cold cream. Olive oil group received topical olive oil once a day from beginning of experiments to complete wound closure. Treatment group were treated topically by M. chamomilla extract dissolved in olive oil at the same time. For computing the percentage of wound healing, the area of the wound measured at the beginning of experiments and the next 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, and 20 days. The percentage of wound healing was calculated by Walker formula after measurement of the wound area. Results showed that there were statistically significant differences between treatment and olive oil animals (p < 0.05) in most of the days. We conclude that the extract of M. chamomilla administered topically has wound healing potential in linear incisional wound model in rats.

Phytomedicine. 2009 Apr;16(4):284-6
Observational study: Matricaria chamomilla may improve some symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Niederhofer H.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Regional Hospital Bozen, Via Guncina 54/A, 39100 Bolzano, Italy. helmutniederhofer@yahoo.de
OBJECTIVE: Noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been proven to be effective in some cases of ADHD. In this open trial, Matricaria chamomilla, a serotonin and noradrealine reuptake inhibitor, actually used as an antidepressant, has been checked for this indication. METHOD: Three 14-16-year-old male psychiatric outpatients, diagnosed with attention-deficit disorder (ADHD) have been rated at baseline and while taking Matricaria chamomilla to determine its efficacy as a treatment for ADHD. Improvement was valuated using comparisons of Conners' parent ratings. RESULTS: Patients' mean scores improved for Conners' hyperactivity, inattention and immaturity factors. CONCLUSIONS: Although the sample size is very small and therefore generalization is very difficult, this observation indicates that Matricaria chamomilla might be a slightly effective treatment also for ADHD.

Nat Prod Res. 2008;22(14):1197-202
Evaluation of topical Matricaria chamomilla extract activity on linear incisional wound healing in albino rats
Jarrahi M, Vafaei AA, Taherian AA, Miladi H, Rashidi Pour A.
Physiology Research Centre, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran. jarrahi44@yahoo.com
In this investigation, the effect of Matricaria chamomilla extract on linear incisional wound healing was studied. Thirty male Wistar rats were subjected to a linear 3 cm incision made over the skin of the back. The animals were randomly divided into three experimental groups, as control, olive oil, and treatment. Control group did not receive any drug or cold cream. Olive oil group received topical olive oil once a day from beginning of experiments to complete wound closure. Treatment group were treated topically by M. chamomilla extract dissolved in olive oil at the same time. For computing the percentage of wound healing, the area of the wound measured at the beginning of experiments and the next 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, and 20 days. The percentage of wound healing was calculated by Walker formula after measurement of the wound area. Results showed that there were statistically significant differences between treatment and olive oil animals (p < 0.05) in most of the days. We conclude that the extract of M. chamomilla administered topically has wound healing potential in linear incisional wound model in rats.

Phytother Res. 2009 Feb;23(2):274-8
Comparative analysis between Chamomilla recutita and corticosteroids on wound healing. An in vitro and in vivo study.
Martins MD, Marques MM, Bussadori SK, Martins MA, Pavesi VC, Mesquita-Ferrari RA, Fernandes KP.
Rehabilitation Science Post-Graduation Program, Nove de Julho University - UNINOVE, São Paulo - SP, Brazil. manomartins@gmail.com
The comparison of chamomile and corticosteroids for treating ulcers was done in vitro and in vivo. The experimental groups were: control; chamomile recutita; triamcinolone acetonide and clobetasol propionate. For the in vitro study the cell viability of fibroblasts cultured for 24 h in media conditioned by the substances was obtained by the MTT reduction analysis. For the in vivo study, 125 male rats were submitted to experimental ulcers treated or not (control) by the substances tested. At 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days later 5 animals of each group were sacrificed. The lesions were analyzed by means of clinical observation and histological wound-healing grading. Data were compared by ANOVA (p

J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Sep 10;56(17):8206-11.
Protective effects of dietary chamomile tea on diabetic complications
Kato A, Minoshima Y, Yamamoto J, Adachi I, Watson AA, Nash RJ.
Department of Hospital Pharmacy, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan. kato@med.u-toyama.ac.jp
Matricaria chamomilla L., known as "chamomile", has been used as an herbal tea or supplementary food all over the world. We investigated the effects of chamomile hot water extract and its major components on the prevention of hyperglycemia and the protection or improvement of diabetic complications in diabetes mellitus. Hot water extract, esculetin (3) and quercetin (7) have been found to show moderate inhibition of sucrase with IC50 values of 0.9 mg/mL and 72 and 71 microM, respectively. In a sucrose-loading test, the administration of esculetin (50 mg/kg body weight) fully suppressed hyperglycemia after 15 and 30 min, but the extract (500 mg/kg body weight) and quercetin (50 mg/kg body weight) were less effective. On the other hand, a long-term feed test (21 days) using a streptozotocin-induced rat diabetes model revealed that the same doses of extract and quercetin showed significant suppression of blood glucose levels. It was also found that these samples increased the liver glycogen levels. Moreover, chamomile extract showed potent inhibition against aldose reductase (ALR2), with an IC50 value of 16.9 microg/mL, and its components, umbelliferone (1), esculetin (3), luteolin (6), and quercetin (7), could significantly inhibit the accumulation of sorbitol in human erythrocytes. These results clearly suggested that daily consumption of chamomile tea with meals could contribute to the prevention of the progress of hyperglycemia and diabetic complications.

Homeopathy. 2008 Jul;97(3):141-4
An animal model for the study of Chamomilla in stress and depression: pilot study.
Pinto SA, Bohland E, Coelho Cde P, Morgulis MS, Bonamin LV.
Faculty of Health Sciences, Brazilian Institute for Homeopathic Studies (FACIS-IBEHE), São Paulo, Brazil.
The behavioral and hematological effects of treatment with Chamomilla 6cH in mice subjected to experimental stress are described. Swiss mice were randomly divided into pairs, one animal was inoculated with Ehrlich's tumor, the other was treated daily with Chamomilla 6cH or control or received no treatment. After 7 days, the animals were observed in an open-field arena and blood samples taken. Mice who cohabitated with a sick cage-mate showed a decrease in their general activity, but those treated with Chamomilla 6cH were less severely affected (p=0.0426). No hematological changes were observed. In a second experiment, the forced swimming test was applied to mice pre-treated with Chamomilla 6cH, controls were: water, 10% ethanol or amitriptyline. Only the amitriptyline and ethanol treated groups showed significant excitatory behavior (p=0.0020), Chamomilla 6cH treated animals' scores intermediate between water control and ethanol or amitriptyline. A decrease in the leukocyte count was observed in the amitriptyline and Chamomilla 6cH treated groups (p=0.039). These data suggest that treatment with Chamomilla 6cH is related to the recovery of basal behavioral conditions in mice subjected to stressful conditions.

J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Nov 14;55(23):9470-8.
Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of chamomile extract in various human cancer cells
Srivastava JK, Gupta S.
Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), a popular herb valued for centuries as a traditional medicine, has been used to treat various human ailments; however, its anticancer activity is unknown. We evaluated the anticancer properties of aqueous and methanolic extracts of chamomile against various human cancer cell lines. Exposure of chamomile extracts caused minimal growth inhibitory responses in normal cells, whereas a significant decrease in cell viability was observed in various human cancer cell lines. Chamomile exposure resulted in differential apoptosis in cancer cells but not in normal cells at similar doses. HPLC analysis of chamomile extract confirmed apigenin 7-O-glucoside as the major constituent of chamomile; some minor glycoside components were also observed. Apigenin glucosides inhibited cancer cell growth but to a lesser extent than the parent aglycone, apigenin. Ex vivo experiments suggest that deconjugation of glycosides occurs in vivo to produce aglycone, especially in the small intestine. This study represents the first reported demonstration of the anticancer effects of chamomile. Further investigations of the mechanism of action of chamomile are warranted in evaluating the potential usefulness of this herbal remedy in the management of cancer patients.

Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2003;30(4):203-6
The immediate effect of natural plant extract, Angelica sinensis and Matricaria chamomilla (Climex) for the treatment of hot flushes during menopause. A preliminary report.
Kupfersztain C, Rotem C, Fagot R, Kaplan B.
The Central Menopause Outpatient Clinic, General Health Services of Israel, Petah Tikva District, Petah Tikva, Israel.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficiency of a medicinal herb extract preparation (Climex) for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. METHOD: In this placebo-controlled experiment on 55 postmenopausal women who complained of hot flushes and refused hormonal therapy. The women were randomly divided into two groups, one to receive Climex (5 chewable tablets daily between meals) and the other group to receive a placebo; both groups would take the tablets for 12 weeks. The women were asked to complete a daily structured (Kupperman) questionnaire assessing the frequency and intensity of menopausal symptoms, starting one week prior to treatment to the completion of the study. All women underwent hormone profile measurements and transvaginal ultrasonography evaluation before and after treatment. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the study group and the control group in the decrease in number and intensity of hot flushes from baseline to completion of treatment (90-96% vs 15-25%, p < 0.001). In the study group, a response was already noted during the first month of treatment (68% +/- 2% reduction of hot flushes during the day and 74% +/- 4% during the night). There was also a marked alleviation of sleep disturbances and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with Climex seems to be effective for menopausal symptoms without apparent major adverse effects. This hormone-free preparation may be used as an important modality for menopausal women with contraindications for hormone replacement therapy.