Chamomile
Chamomile Nature’s Gentle Sedative
Botanical Name
Matricaria recutita
Active Ingredients
Major chemical compounds present within chamomile include Chamazulene apigenin and alpha-bisabolol Other compounds include: sesquiterpenes, terpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins such as herniarin and umbelliferone, phenylpropanoids such as chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid, flavones such as apigenin and luteolin, flavanols such as quercetin and rutin, and polyacetylenes.
Research
- Anticancer effect – Recent studies had shown that chamomile extracts have growth inhibitory on cancer cells in skin, prostate, breast, ovarian, prostate cancer with minimal effects on normal cells. Apigenin has demonstrated chemopreventive effects against cancer cells in the laboratory,
- Anticoagulant effect – Coumarin compounds in chamomile such as herniarin and umbelliferone may have blood-thinning properties.
- Anti-inflammatory effect – Several chemical constituents bisabolol, chamazulene, apigenin, loteolin possess anti-inflammatory properties although exact mechanism is not well characterized
- Antimicrobial effects – Chamazulene, alpha-bisabolol, flavonoids, and umbelliferone have antifungal activities., inhibition of the growth of poliovirus and herpes virus, blockage of aggregation of Helicobacter pylori and numerous strains of Escherichia coli.
- Antispasmodic/antidiarrheal effects – Bisabolol and flavonoids have demonstrated antispasmodic effects in animal experiments. In human studies, chamomile tea in combination with other herbs (vervain, licorice, fennel, balm mint) was shown to be effective in treating colic in children. Flavonoids and coumarins are considered smooth muscle relaxants.
- Central Nervous System NS/sensory effects – Chemical compounds present within chamomile bind to GABA receptors, modulate monoamine neurotransmission, and have neuroendocrine effects.
- Anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties chamomile possesses constituents that could be used to treat stress and insomnia.
- Antihyperglycemic, (pertaining to a substance or therapy that counteracts high levels of glucose in the blood
- Antigenotoxic,( genotoxic describes the property of chemical agents that damages the genetic information within a cell causing mutations, which may lead to cancer.) and anticancer properties when examined in vitro and in animal studies.
Uses for People
- May be used for times of insomnia and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- May have modest anxiolytic (anti-anxiety )activity in patients with mild to moderate GAD, although the results have not since been replicated.
- Has a mild anti-histamine effect due to chamazulene, apigenin
- Cancer treatment as an alkylating agent which interferes with DNA replication and transcription by modifying DNA bases.
- Some of its active ingredients will induce cancer cells to undergo apoptosis.(cell death)
Uses for Horses
- May be useful for horses that get nervous traveling causing them to sweat and get runny droppings.
- Acts on the central Nervous system by binding to GABA receptors. This will help reduce anxiety and adrenal over production.
- Suitable for digestive problems in horses when moving properties or travelling and staying at a show ground or overnight at racing stables
- May be used as an adjunct with conventional treatment for cancers.
- Suitable for the treatment of stomach ulcers in horses because alpha-bisabolol has been shown to reduce pepsin secretion without altering secretion of stomach acid
Uses for Pets
- May be used during times when your pet is exposed to a new and stressful event ie first time showing, when traveling etc.
- Acts on the central Nervous system by binding to GABA receptors. This will help reduce anxiety and adrenal over production.
- Suitable for digestive problems particularly for dogs.
- May be used as an adjunct with conventional treatment for cancers.
- Suitable for the treatment of stomach ulcers in horses because alpha-bisabolol has been shown to reduce pepsin secretion without altering secretion of stomach acid
- Suitable for calming skin allergies.
Disclaimer: Information in this article is not to be used in place of professional medical advice and expertise. For diagnosis and treatment always see your health professional. We recommend that either a qualified herbalist or your animal professional carry out diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Herbal remedies must not be given not be taken in conjunction with other medication with out consulting a medical professional.