Chamomile - Research
A double-blind study of the therapeutic effects of a chamomile extract on reepithelialization and drying of wound weeping after dermabrasion demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in the wound size and drying tendency (41).
In clinical trials, topical application of a chamomile extract in a cream base was found to be superior to hydrocortisone 0.25% for reducing skin inflammation (42). In an international multicentre trial chamomile cream was compared with hydrocortisone 0.25%, fluocortin butyl ester 0.75% and bufexamac 5% in the treatment of eczema of the extremities (42). The chamomile cream was shown to be as effective as hydrocortisone and superior to the other two treatments, but no statistical analysis was performed. Chamomile preparations have also been found to be beneficial in the treatment of radiation mucositis owing to head and neck radiation and systemic chemotherapy (43).
References:
41. Glowania HJ, Raulin C, Svoboda M. The effect of chamomile on wound healing- a controlled clinical-experimental double-blind study. Zeitschrift für Hautkrankheiten, 1986, 62:1262–1271.
42. Aertgeerts P et al. Vergleichende Prüfung von Kamillosan® Creme gegenüber steroidalen (0.25% Hydrocortison, 0.75% Fluocortinbutylester) und nichtsteroidalen (5% Bufexamac) Externa in der Erhaltungstherapie von Ekzemerkrankungen. Zeitschrift für Hautkrankheiten, 1985, 60:270–277.
43. Carl W, Emrich LS. Management of oral mucositis during local radiation and systemic chemotherapy: a study of 98 patients. Journal of prosthetic dentistry, 1991, 66:361–369.
Source: WHO Monographs Vol 1, 1999 -2010
