Chamomile, German









Chamomile, German


Natural product category
Herb
What is this natural product used for?
Chamomile has been used as a mild sedative and to reduce anxiety. It may also reduce spasms and swelling in the digestive system. Topically, chamomile is used for acne and certain types of skin infections and as a mouth rinse.
How does it work?
Three groups of chemicals in chamomile are responsible for its activity. Chamomile is known to prevent the release of histamine. One chemical appears to have anti-inflammatory actions, as well as supportive properties in the stomach, to help prevent the development of gastric ulcers.
How is it best taken?
  • Oral:
  • Take this product with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
  • Take this product with a full glass of water.
  • Take this product at a similar time every day.
  • Topical:
  • Clean affected area before use.
  • Wash hands before and after use.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
  • To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this natural product?
  • Check medicines and natural products with healthcare provider. This natural product may not mix well with other medicines or natural products.
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, and pain medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you know how this product affects you.
  • If you are 65 years of age or older, you may have more side effects. You could feel drowsy or shaky.
  • Use with caution if you have an allergy to the Asteraceae/Compositae family of plants (ragweed, daisy, aster, chrysanthemum) and/or other pollens.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicines or natural products. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
What are the possible side effects of this natural product?
  • You may feel tired or sleepy. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how this product affects you.
  • Feeling sleepy or unable to think clearly.
  • Nausea or vomiting (primarily vomiting). Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, and chewing gum may help.
What should I monitor?
  • Degree of drowsiness/sedation. Adjust the amount of natural product taken as needed. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider on a regular basis.
Reasons to call healthcare provider
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Too tired or sleepy.
  • Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Severe diarrhea.
  • Blood in stool and toilet bowl.
  • Vomiting blood.
  • If using product topically, any rash.
How should I store this natural product?
  • Store in original container at room temperature.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
Plant part used
Flowers, oil
Dosage forms
Oral, topical
Drug interactions
Antianxiety agents, benzodiazepines, sedatives
General statements
Under current law in the United States, herbal supplements are classified as dietary supplements and fall under the regulations of the food service industry. This includes the manufacturing practices imposed by the local agriculture departments for food manufacturers. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are currently not required by the FDA, yet many companies follow GMPs, and the industry is improving self-imposed practices. Use herbs with extreme caution in the following groups:
  • Children younger than 2 years of age
  • Pregnant or lactating women; some herbs are contraindicated in pregnancy, make sure to observe warnings.
  • If you are taking pharmaceutical medications (prescription and others), always review for potential herb-drug interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • If you are taking other natural products, always review for potential herb-herb, or herb-natural product interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • Individuals having known allergies to plants. If you fall into this category, speak with your healthcare provider before using an herbal product. Both large doses of herbs and herbs taken over a long period of time may increase the risk for adverse effects. Many herbs, due to a variety of their chemical ingredients, may cause temporary adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach distress.
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