General

Pronunciation
kam-o-MEAL

Trade Name(s)

• German, Hungarian, or common chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

• Roman, English, or common chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)

Ther. class.
gastroinestinal anti inflammatories
sedative/hypnotics

Action

The volatile oil of chamomile contains several compounds with anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic activity

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Unknown

Distribution: Unknown

Metabolism and Excretion: Unknown

Half-life: Unknown

TIME/ACTION PROFILE

ROUTE	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
PO, Topical	unknown	unknown	unknown

Contraindication/Precautions

Contraindicated in:
Allergy to chamomile, ragweed, asters, chrysanthemums, and other members of the family Compositae

Use Cautiously in:

• Alcohol-containing products should be used cautiously in patients with known intolerance or liver disease

• Pregnancy and lactation (safety not established)

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

Derm: contact dermatitis.

Misc: ALLERGIC REACTIONS, INCLUDING ANAPHYLAXIS.

*CAPITALS indicates life-threatening.
*italic indicates most frequent.

Interactions

Natural Products-Drug

• Alcohol -containing preparations may interact with disulfuram and metronidazole

• Theoretically, large chamomile ingestions with anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs may increase risk of bleeding

Natural Products-Natural Products
Theoretically, herbs with anticoagulant or antiplatelet properties may increase bleeding risk when combined with chamomile, including: anise, asafoetida, bogbean, boldo, capsicum, celery, clove, danshen, dong quai, fenugreek, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, horse chestnut, horseradish, licorice, meadowsweet, prickly ash, onion, papain, passionflower, poplar, quassia, red clover, turmeric, wild carrot, wild lettuce, willow, and others

Route/Dosage

• PO (Adults):
Tea—2–3 heaping teaspoons dried flowers per cup of water as a compress or beverage as needed;
tincture—1/2-1 teaspoon up to three times per day;
liquid extract—1–4 ml up to tid;
gargle—10 drops of fluid extract per glass of water as needed.

Availability

• Tea^OTC

• Crude Drug^OTC

• Tincture^OTC

• Liquid extract^OTC

Assessment

• Assess patient for abdominal distention and auscultate for bowel sounds

• Evaluate sleep pattern and anxiety level prior to initiation of this herbal supplement

• Note size, location and character of affected skin prior to and after topical application

Potential Nursing Diagnoses

• Acute pain

• Insomnia

• Anxiety

• Deficient knowledge, related to medication regimen (Patient/Family Teaching)

Implementation

• May be taken orally without regard to food intake

• As a sleep aide take just prior to retiring

• As a topical application for skin irritation, apply to skin that has been cleansed with a mild nonalcohol-containing cleanser

Patient/Family Teaching

• Inform patients that only a small amount of the volatile oil, the active ingredient in chamomile, is released when brewed to make a tea. However, long-term consumption of low concentrations of the volatile oil may have a cumulative therapeutic effect

• Warn pregnant women to avoid chamomile because of the potential abortifacient effect it may exert. Not recommended for use by breast-feeding women as safety has not been established

• Teach patients using it topically to observe for allergic reactions and to immediately discontinue use if this develops

• Instruct patients not to take other medications at the same time as the tea as it may inhibit absorption and decrease therapeutic effect of other agents

• Advise patients on anticoagulant therapy to avoid concomitant use as it may enhance the effect of anticoagulants increasing the potential for bleeding

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes

• Relief of abdominal spasm and pain associated with gas

• Improved digestion and decreased sense of fullness after eating

• Decrease in anxiety

• Improved ability to fall asleep

• Resolution of skin irritation or inflammation

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