A Review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of chamomile tea (Matricaria recutita L.)

Abstract

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L., Chamomilla recutita L., Matricaria chamomilla) is one of the most popular single ingredient herbal teas, or tisanes. Chamomile tea, brewed from dried flower heads, has been used traditionally for medicinal purposes. Evidence-based information regarding the bioactivity of this herb is presented. The main constituents of the flowers include several phenolic compounds, primarily the flavonoids apigenin, quercetin, patuletin, luteolin and their glucosides. The principal components of the essential oil extracted from the flowers are the terpenoids alpha-bisabolol and its oxides and azulenes, including chamazulene. Chamomile has moderate antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and significant antiplatelet activity in vitro. Animal model studies indicate potent antiinflammatory action, some antimutagenic and cholesterol-lowering activities, as well as antispasmotic and anxiolytic effects. However, human studies are limited, and clinical trials examining the purported sedative properties of chamomile tea are absent. Adverse reactions to chamomile, consumed as a tisane or applied topically, have been reported among those with allergies to other plants in the daisy family, i.e. Asteraceae or Compositae.

Chamomile Consumption and Mortality: A Prospective Study of Mexican Origin Older Adults

“…The potential health benefits of chamomile focus on its phytochemical content and have been examined in both human and animal studies (McKay & Blumberg, 2006). The major active compounds in chamomile, (terpenoids alpha-bisabolol, and azulenes) have been shown to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiplatelet, and anti-inflammatory characteristics (McKay & Blumberg, 2006).…”

“…The major active compounds in chamomile, (terpenoids alpha-bisabolol, and azulenes) have been shown to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiplatelet, and anti-inflammatory characteristics (McKay & Blumberg, 2006). Other beneficial properties include chemoprevention, cholesterol lowering activities, antigenotoxic effects, and sedative effects (McKay & Blumberg, 2006).…”

“…The major active compounds in chamomile, (terpenoids alpha-bisabolol, and azulenes) have been shown to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiplatelet, and anti-inflammatory characteristics (McKay & Blumberg, 2006). Other beneficial properties include chemoprevention, cholesterol lowering activities, antigenotoxic effects, and sedative effects (McKay & Blumberg, 2006). The antioxidant characteristics of chamomile are associated with reducing lipid oxidation (Guimarães et al, 2013;Rekka, Kourounakis, & Kourounakis, 1996) and may influence consequences of peroxidation such as atherosclerosis.…”

“…Melzer, Rosch, Reichling, Brignoli, and Saller (2004) demonstrated that chamomile potentially slows peristaltic movement, potentially decreasing dyspepsia. A chamomile rinse reduced the likelihood of having mucositis secondary to radiation and chemotherapy (McKay & Blumberg, 2006).…”

Risks and benefits of commonly used herbal medicines in Mexico

“…Preliminary research suggests that it blocks slow wave activity in the small intestine, which could slow peristaltic movement (Melzer et al, 2004). In a clinical trial of 98 patients receiving local radiation and systemic chemotherapy, chamomile oral rinse prevented mucositis secondary to radiation therapy and some types of chemotherapeutic drugs including asparaginase, cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, daunorubicin, doxorubicin, etoposide, hydroxyurea, mercaptopurine, methotrexate, procarbazine, and vincristine (McKay and Blumberg, 2006). Chamomilla contains flavonoids, which exert benzodiazepine-like activity (Avallone et al, 2000), and also has a phosphodiesterase inhibitory action, which leads to increased cAMP levels (Kuppusamy and Das, 1992).…”