Introduction
Amongst the traditional medicines, herbal preparations have been the most widely used, and one of the most favored medicinal herbs is chamomile.Chamomile extracts powder have been used to treat a variety of conditions including inflammatory diseases, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Chamomile is a member of the Asteraceae family and is also commonly referred to as the German chamomile or the Roman chamomile. Chamomile is known for its therapeutic use in the management of variety of ailments especially in the traditional medicines of Europe and the Middle East. The objective of this review is to examine the application and effectiveness of chamomile extract in the treatment of various health conditions.
Chemical composition of chamomile
The chemical composition of chamomile is complex and varies between species. The main constituents of chamomile plants are essential oils, flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, coumarins, terpenoids, and polyacetylenes. Chamomile plants usually contain between 0.3-1% essential oils which are mainly composed of bisabolol and chamazulene. Chamazulene is a blue-colored compound and is responsible for the blue color of chamomile oil. Bisabolol is a colorless oil that is used as an anti-inflammatory and a skin conditioner. Chamomile flavonoids are composed of glycosides, apigenin, and quercetin. The sesquiterpenes contain ��-bisabolol, chamazulene, and farnesene. Terpenoids such as matricin and chamazulene are precursors of chamomile blue essential oil.
Pharmacological properties of chamomile
The pharmacological properties of chamomile include anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic, nervine, carminative, emetic, sedative, and antipyretic properties. The anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile have been attributed to the essential oils and flavonoids present in the plant. The essential oils present in chamomile contain ��-bisabolol, apigenin, flavones, and flavonoids, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, the flavonoids present in chamomile have been shown to have antispasmodic and analgesic effects.
Application of chamomile extract
Anxiety
Chamomile extract has been extensively used in the management of anxiety disorders. In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, the anxiolytic effects of chamomile were compared with placebo. The study population comprised of 57 participants, and they were given either chamomile or placebo. The study found that the chamomile group had a significant reduction in anxiety scores compared with the placebo group. The reduction in anxiety scores was attributed to the effects of chamomile flavonoids, which have been shown to have anxiolytic properties. In another study, the effects of chamomile essential oil on anxiety were compared with lavender essential oil. The study found that chamomile essential oil had a more significant effect on anxiety than lavender essential oil.
Digestive disorders
Chamomile extract has been used in the management of various digestive disorders such as nausea, vomiting, and flatulence. Chamomile has antispasmodic and carminative effects which help to reduce gastrointestinal cramps and flatulence. In a clinical trial, the effects of chamomile tea on the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were investigated. The study showed that the administration of chamomile tea resulted in a significant reduction in the severity of IBS symptoms.
Insomnia
Chamomile extract has also been used in the management of insomnia. The sedative and relaxant properties of chamomile help to promote sleep. In a randomized controlled trial, the effects of chamomile extract on sleep quality were compared with placebo. The study showed that the administration of chamomile extract resulted in a significant improvement in sleep quality.
Skin inflammation
Chamomile extracts have been extensively used in the management of various skin inflammatory conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. The anti-inflammatory and skin conditioning properties of chamomile make it an effective treatment for inflammatory skin conditions. In a randomized controlled trial, the effects of chamomile cream on atopic dermatitis were investigated. The study found that the administration of chamomile cream resulted in a significant reduction in symptoms of atopic dermatitis.
Wound healing
Chamomile extracts have also been used in the management of wounds. The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of chamomile make it an effective treatment for wounds. In a clinical trial, the effects of chamomile oil on wound healing in diabetic patients were investigated. The study found that the administration of chamomile oil resulted in a significant improvement in wound healing in diabetic patients.
Conclusion
Chamomile extracts have been extensively used in the traditional medicines of Europe and the Middle East. The pharmacological properties of chamomile make it an effective treatment for various health conditions such as anxiety, digestive disorders, insomnia, skin inflammation, and wound healing. The anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and sedative properties of chamomile make it an effective treatment for anxiety and insomnia. The carminative and antispasmodic properties of chamomile make it an effective treatment for digestive disorders. The anti-inflammatory and skin conditioning properties of chamomile make it an effective treatment for skin inflammation. Finally, the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of chamomile make it an effective treatment for wound healing. Further research is needed to elucidate the efficacy of chamomile extract in the management of various health conditions.
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