May 25, 2021|In Lifestyle|6 Minutes

Health Benefits of Chamomile

ethosBy ethos

The use of plants in human health has been documented for thousands of years. Herbs have been integral to both traditional and non-traditional forms of medicine dating back at least 5000 years. One of the most common herbs used for medicinal purposes is chamomile.

Tea
By Soo Chung

Commonly known in tea form or as an extract, both are derived from dried flowers of the plant. Chamomile is one of the oldest, most widely used and well documented medicinal plants in the world and has been recommended for it’s healing properties.

Here, we’ll take you through why we love chamomile, it’s possible uses and health benefits:

1.  TOPICAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

We all know that chamomile has been used for years as a key calming ingredient in some of the most popular skincare products. A study in 2010 demonstrated that chamomile penetrates below the skin surface into the deeper skin layers. This is important for its use as a topical anti-inflammatory to soothe and irritation on the skin including sunburn, rashes and sores.

2. STOMACH AND GUT CONDITIONS

Inflammation is associated with many gut disorders or stomach discomfort. Chamomile is used traditionally for numerous gastrointestinal conditions, including digestive disorders, “spasm” or colic, upset stomach, flatulence (gas), ulcers, and gastrointestinal irritation. Chamomile is especially helpful in dispelling gas, soothing the stomach, and relaxing the muscles that move food through the intestines. Studies also suggest that chamomile inhibits Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that can contribute to stomach ulcers.

Dried Chamomile

By Nia Ramirez

3. SLEEP AID

Traditionally, chamomile tea and essential oil aromatherapy have been used to treat insomnia and to induce calm. Chamomile is widely regarded as a mild tranquillizer and sleep-inducer. How does it work? Compounds present in extracts of chamomile can bind to receptors in the brain and might be responsible for some sedative effect.

4. ANXIETY

Chamomile has been reported in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. Recent results from a controlled clinical trial on chamomile extract for anxiety suggests that it may provide relief in patients with mild to moderate generalized anxiety disorder.

At ethos, we combine chamomile extract with spearmint essential oil and Irish CBD oil. These ingredients make for a calming blend, and as part of a bedtime ritual could help induce a dreamy sleep. Shop our Sleep range now. 

 

 

References: 

1. Newman DJ, Cragg GM, Snader KM. Natural products as sources of new drugs over the period 1981–2002. J Nat Prod. 2003;66:1022–1037. [PubMed] []
2. Koehn FE, Carter GT. The evolving role of natural products in drug discovery. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2005;4:206–220. [PubMed] []
3. Jones WP, Chin YW, Kinghorn AD. The role of pharmacognosy in modern medicine and pharmacy. Curr Drug Targets. 2006;7:247–264. [PubMed] []
4. Philip RB. Herbal remedies: the good, the bad, and the ugly. J. Comp. Integ. Med. 2004;1:1–11. []
5. Fabricant DS, Farnsworth NR. The value of plants used in traditional medicine for drug discovery. Environ Health Perspect. 2001;109:69–75. [PMC free article] [PubMed] []
6. Hadley SK, Petry JJ. Medicinal herbs: A primer for Primary Care Hosp Prac. Hosp Pract (Minneap) 1999;34:105–116. [PubMed] []
7. Astin JA, Pelletier KR, Marie A, Haskell WL. Complementary and Alternative medicine use among elderly persons: One year analysis of Blue Shield medicare supplement. J Gerontol. 2000;55:M4–M9. [PubMed] []
8. Merfort I, Heilmann J, Hagedorn-Leweke U, Lippold BC. In vivo skin penetration studies of camomile flavones. Pharmazie. 1994;49:509–511. [PubMed] []
9. Weseler A, Geiss HK, Saller R, Reichling JA. Novel colorimetric broth microdilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of antibiotics and essential oils against Helicobacter pylori. Pharmazie. 2005;60:498–502. [PubMed] []
10. Fugh-Berman A. Herbal Supplements: Indications, Clinical Concerns, and Safety. Nutr. Today. 2002;37:122–124. [PubMed] []
11. Wechselberger G, Schoeller T, Otto A, Obrist P, Rumer A, Deetjen H. Total gluteal pouching with pseudoanus caused by burn injury: report of a case. Dis Colon Rectum. 1998;41:929–931. [PubMed] []
12. Tubaro A, Zilli C, Redaelli C, Della Loggia R. Evaluation of antiinflammatory activity of a chamomile extract after topical application. Planta Med. 1984;50:359. [PubMed] []
13. Kroll U, Cordes C. Pharmaceutical prerequisites for a multi-target therapy. Phytomedicine. 2006;5:12–19. [PubMed] []
14. Ramos-e-Silva M, Ferreira AF, Bibas R, Carneiro S. Clinical evaluation of fluid extract of Chamomilla recutita for oral aphthae. J Drugs Dermatol. 2006;5:612–617. [PubMed] []
15. Wu J. Treatment of rosacea with herbal ingredients. J Drugs Dermatol. 2006;5:29–32. [PubMed] []
16. Graf J. Herbal anti-inflammatory agents for skin disease. Skin Therapy Letter. 2000;5:3–5. [PubMed] []
17. Amsterdam JD, Li Y, Soeller I, Rockwell K, Mao JJ, Shults J. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (Chamomile) extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2009;29:378–382. [PMC free article] [PubMed] []
ethos
All author posts
4,026 Comments