C
Some people advise, perhaps overadvise, that sensitive people may have an allergic reaction to this.
I don't take chamomile daily, but almost daily I ingest a whole lot of peanuts, which are more
dangerous, anaphylactically killing two people a year in the U.S. Patients who are allergic to
ragweed, however, may experience cross-reactivity with chamomile, which can produce intense
itching in the mouth if the mucosa becomes highly irritated (O’Brien, 1998). CAN cautions that
the sesquiterpene lactones can cause allergic reactions. They add that cross-sensitivities with other
aster relatives (WAM) and celery exist. Because it is reputed to affect the menstrual cycle and to
be a uterine stimulant, with excessive use, its use in pregnancy and lactation is to be avoided (CAN).
But SKY says no contraindications during pregnancy or lactation (SKY). Not recommended for
teething babies. Because of coumarin content, may interfere with anticoagulant therapy (CAN).
Highly concentrated hot tea is reportedly emetic. Some advise against daily use, but I would not.
Keep all hot teas at a distance from the eyes (AHP). Oral administration of chamomile extract
induced a deep sleep in 10 of 12 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization (CAN). Reported as
an effective treatment for mucosal infections. Diluted extracts used as a mouthwash 5 to 6 times
daily provided astringent and cooling effects (CAN). Chamomile preparations and their components
worked on the inflammatory mediators of the arachidonic acid cascade; they inhibit cyclooxygenase
and 5-lipoxygenase. Chamomile is so far my best source of COX-2 inhibitor apigenin (to 0.8%
ZMB) followed by celery (to 0.2%), making celery stalks the best food farmacy source (COX).
Extracts (Chamomile) — Chamomile oils analgesic, antianaphylactic, antiinflammatory, anti-
pyretic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, bactericidal, and fungicidal (PED). Azulenes, documented as
aniinflammatory and hypoallergenic, may prevent allergic seizures in guinea pigs, perhaps through
antihistaminic activity. EO LD50 = >5000 orl rabbit (CAN); LD50 = >5000 der rabbit (CAN);
LD50 = 2.5 ml/kg orl mouse (CAN). High molecular weight polysaccharides are immunostimulant;
choleretic, hypouremic, and hypocholesterolemic at 0.1 ml/kg in cats and dogs, cardiodepressant,
hypotensive, and respiradepressant at 0.2 ml/kg (CAN). Bisabolol and flavonoids are responsible
for antispasmodic activities. Apigenin was three times as effective as papaverine; bisabolol was
comparable. Smooth muscle relaxant properties documented for a cis-spiroether. Antiinflammatory
activity documented for the sesquiterpene bisabolol compounds. (–)-alpha-bisabolol protects against
the gastric effects of aspirin (PH2). Flavonoids antiinflammatory. Chamomile oil (25 mg/ml;
bisabolol at 1 mg/ml) was active against bacteria (especially Gram positive), fungi, and Candida
albicans. Apigenin and luteolin are more active antiinflammatories than indomethacin and phe-
nylbutazone (WHO). “Chamazulene, a-bisabolol, and flavones such as apigenin were the single
components that were found to have the strongest antiinflammatory activity, but most studies found
that the whole extracts were more active than their individual components” (SHT). Chamomile
extract in a cream base was superior to hydrocortisone 0.25% for reducing skin inflammation. For
eczema, chamomile was as good as hydrocortisone (0.25%), and better than fluocortin butyl ester
(0.75%) and bufexamac (5%) (WHO). Extracts based on fresh flowers equaled antiinflammatory
activity of benzydamine (MAB).CHAMPAC (Michelia champaca L.) ++Activities (Champac) — Abortifacient (f; SKJ); Alexeteric (f; KAB); Antifertility (f; SKJ); Anti-
pyretic (f; KAB; SKJ; SUW); Antispasmodic (f; KAB; SUW); Aphrodisiac (f; KAB); Astringent (f;
KAB; SUW); Bitter (f; KAB; SUW); Carminative (f; SKJ; SUW); Demulcent (f; KAP); Deobstruent
(f; KAP); Deodorant (f; KAB); Depurative (f; KAB); Diaphoretic (f; KAB; SKJ); Diuretic (f; KAB;
SKJ; SUW); Emmenagogue (f; KAB; SUW); Expectorant (f; DEP; KAB); Hypertensive (1; KAP);
Hypoglycemic (1; KAP); Laxative (f; KAB); Stimulant (f; DEP; KAB; SKJ; SUW; WOI); Stomachic
(f; DEP; KAB; SUW); Tonic (f; KAB; SKJ; SUW); Vermifuge (f; DEP; KAB).
Indications (Champac) — Amenorrhea (f; KAB); Biliousness (f; KAB); Cancer (f; JLH);
Cancer, abdomen (f; JLH); Cancer, colon (f; JLH); Colic (f; DEP; KAB; SUW); Constipation