Chamomile, an aromatic annual herb, has a long history of use in traditional medicine to treat muscle spasms, menstrual disorders, insomnia, ulcers, wounds, stomach disorders, rheumatic pain, hay fever, and hemorrhoids. It is widely used in teas for its relaxing and calming effects. In vitro and animal studies indicate that chamomile extracts have anti-inflammatory ⁽¹¹⁾, anti-hyperglycemic ⁽¹²⁾, antigenotoxic ⁽¹³⁾, and anticancer ⁽¹⁴⁾ properties. Apigenin, a flavone present in chamomile, has chemopreventive effects ⁽¹⁵⁾. Bisabololoxide A, another constituent, had additive inhibitory effects in some instances when used with 5-fluorouracil against leukemic cells ⁽¹⁹⁾.

Clinical data suggest modest benefits with oral chamomile in chronic insomnia ^(20) (41) and for moderate cyclic mastalgia ⁽⁴²⁾. Chamomile tea had positive effects on glycemic control in patients with diabetes ⁽³³⁾. Several studies have reported that chamomile extracts are effective against mild-to-moderate ⁽¹⁶⁾ and moderate-to-severe generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) ^(37) (38). Chamomile may also reduce depressive symptoms in subjects with comorbid GAD plus depression ⁽⁴⁵⁾ and improve biological markers of stress in people with chronic anxiety ⁽⁴⁰⁾. In other controlled trials, application of a chamomile compress was effective and superior to hydrocortisone ointment in facilitating healing of peristomal skin lesions following colostomy ⁽²¹⁾, and a chamomile oleogel affected pain relief in patients who had migraine without aura ⁽⁴³⁾.

Chamomile has also been evaluated in oral rinse and topical formulations for inflammatory conditions related to cancer treatment. Preliminary data on whether these products can reduce or prevent mucositis are mixed ^{(2) (8) (9) (47) (48)}. Other preliminary findings suggest some benefit with a chamomile gel in preventing acute radiation dermatitis ⁽⁴⁶⁾. Additional studies are needed.