Over a million cups of chamomile tea are drunk daily, testifying to its good taste at least. Chamomile was used by early Egyptian physicians for fevers, and by ancient Greeks, Romans, and Indians for headaches and disorders of the kidneys, liver, and bladder. The modern use of chamomile dates back to 1921, when a German firm introduced a topical form of chamomile named Kamillosan. Today, Germany s Commission E authorizes the use of various topical chamomile preparations for a variety of diseases of the skin and mouth. The Commission E has also authorized oral chamomile as a treatment for pain and inflammation in the stomach and intestines, and inhaled chamomile vapor for asthma and other lung problems.
Chamomile tea remains popular for mild tension and stress.
It also might possibly help protect the stomach against irritation caused by alcohol or anti-inflammatory drugs, but this has not been proven. 1 Concentrated alcohol extracts of chamomile are sometimes used to treat the pain caused by various types of arthritis. It has been suggested that chamomile s reported benefits are due to the constituents of its bright blue oil, including chamazulene, alpha-bisabolol, and bisaboloxides. However, the water-soluble part of chamomile may possess some relaxant properties. Animal research suggests that chamomile extracts taken orally can relax the intestines and reduce inflammation.