Chamomile side effects

Potential downsides

This wondrous herb has been known for quite some time as the best possible remedy for such conditions as sore throat, anxiety, insomnia, mouth sore – to mention but just a few of the most prominent conditions for which chamomile is used as an effective treatment solution. In addition, the all famous FDA has also given it an undisputed green light in terms of health benefits and safety.

On the other hand, just as with any herb known to us, chamomile is also characterized by potential undesired side effects and certain perilous interactions, as well. But all these can, of course, be surmounted by proper usage, i.e. by complete adherence to the safety instructions issued by a health expert.

Medicinal uses

In medicine, the most prominent reasons for chamomile usage are rooted in the presence of bisabolol and couramin. These two substances represent natural oils (volatile), which can be most frequently found in the flowers of the chamomile.

Bisabolol – besides being endowed with strong anti-inflammatory properties, it is also known to poses anti-anxiety and anti-microbial characteristics. These properties account for chamomile’s strong potentials in terms of fighting off the pain, infections and restlessness. A huge upside of this active constituent is that there have not been any recorded cases of its undesired side effects, nor any unwanted interactions.

Couramin - it is the an active constituent, which is suspected of causing unwanted effects, particularly in the cases of people who are on the therapy involving the blood-thinners in greater amounts (innumerably greater than taken in through chamomile tea). In addition, persons who suffer from serious instances of hemorrhagic disorders, as well as those taking warfarin and certain other anticoagulants, are advised not to employ chamomile in medicinal purposes since it can induce hemorrhage

Due to its wide known tranquilizing and soothing effects that it has one the body, this herb is also regarded as a mild sedative. Out of this reason it is not heartily recommended to those people who plan to, for example, drive or do something similar, at least not until they reveal the exact effects that chamomile has on them. But on the other hand, since the vast majority of people is already familiar with this effect of chamomile, they particularly choose this herb.

What can be said is that, as far as those potentially “harmful”, i.e. unwanted effects of the chamomile are concerned, the most prominent one is drowsiness. A lot less frequent undesired effects include vomiting and occurrence of rash.