Chamomile Side Effects, Interactions, and Warnings

Chamomile is one of the most common medicinal herbs in the world, and is well-known for its unsurpassed ability to safely treat sore throat, insomnia, anxiety, and mouth sores. While it is acknowledged by the FDA as GRAS, or "generally recognized as safe", chamomile, like all herbal medicines, carries some risk of side-effects or unsafe interactions. Still, consumers following safety guidelines can use chamomile to safely and effectively treat common ailments without the unnecessary use of pharmaceutical alternatives.

The medicinal uses of chamomile stem from bisabolol and couramin, two natural, volatile oils found primarily in the flowers of the chamomile plant. Bisabolol, a powerful anti-inflammatory oil, also has anti-microbial and anti-anxiety effects, and is primarily responsible for chamomile's ability to combat pain, infection, and restlessness. Fortunately, bisabolol has never been documented to cause unsafe drug interactions or negative side-effects, and is considered to be one of the safest natural medicines currently available.

Couramin, chamomile's other constituent, active oil, may have negative effects in people who are taking blood-thinners, and massive amounts of it (far more than could be consumed through chamomile tea) can be acutely toxic. Those with severe hemorrhagic disorders and those taking warafin and other anticoagulants are cautioned to avoid the medicinal use of chamomile, to to the risk of hemorrhage. Other couramin-containing plants, such as vanilla, should also be avoided by high-risk consumers.

Chamomile's far more common side effect is much more mild, and is usually expected by the people who take it. Because of its calming, soothing effects on the body, chamomile is known to be a weak sedative, and should probably not be used by people who will need to drive or operate heavy machinery until they know how it will affect them. Most people taking chamomile are aware of this side effect; it is one of the most common reasons that people choose to take it. Drowsiness is one of the only side effects of chamomile common enough to warrant concern for the majority of people.

Significantly more rare side effects of chamomile include rash and vomiting, but these have only been known to occur when massive amounts were consumed in a very short period of time. Even these symptoms are very short-lived and generally mild. So few case reports exist regarding this side-effect, that it is possible they were caused by other contributing factors.

Many herbalists are concerned about the rumored potential of chamomile to trigger allergic reactions, up to and including anaphalactic shock, in people who are allergic to ragweed. Both ragweed and chamomile are members of Asteraceae, the botanical family that includes sunflowers and daisies, so some herbalists and naturopaths believe that chamomile can cause strong histamine reactions in those with hay fever. This concern may be wholly unwarranted, however, since many people with hay fever consume chamomile regularly, and no peer-reviewed case reports exist that back its allergenic potential.

The use of chamomile in young children is somewhat debated. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against any sedative drug or herb in children under six months of age, owing to the risk of SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome. Chamomile also may contain trace amounts of botulism, which, while very easily tolerated in adults and older children, can be dangerous to very young infants. Though generally safe for toddlers and older babies, chamomile should probably be avoided by newborns and babies under six months of age. Adults generally tolerate these mild side-effects without hassle or danger.

Fortunately for consumers seeking healthy, natural, safe alternatives to prescription pain relievers, antispasmodics, anxiety medications, and sedatives, chamomile is generally considered to be extremely safe, even in large quantities, and has little potential for negative interactions. As always, patients interested in taking chamomile or any other herbal supplement should discuss the possibility with their doctor before self-diagnosing or self-treating.