Chamomile Cancer Cure

Chamomile is one of the oldest favourites amongst garden herbs and its reputation as a medicinal plant shows little signs of abatement. The Egyptians reverenced it for its virtues, and from their belief in its power to cure ague, dedicated it to their gods. It has been grown for centuries in English gardens for its use as a common domestic medicine. Chamomile comes in capsule, liquid, and tea form.

A major Italian population study including 2,569 women with breast cancer found that the risk of breast cancer was reduced for increasing intake of flavones (e.g., apigenin, luteolin, tangeritin) and flavonols (e.g., fisetin, quercetin, patuletin, myricetin, kaempferol), including those found in chamomile.

Another study conducted at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio found that chamomile extracts slowed cancer cell growth and promoted cancer cell death while leaving normal cells relatively untouched. Researchers also added that the normal digestive process may convert the active ingredients in chamomile (apigenin glucosides) into more powerful cancer-fighters (apigenin aglycone).

Chamomile contains the flavanoids apigenin, quercetin, patuletin, and luteolin. Apigenin has been shown to induce apoptosis in skin, thyroid, gastric, liver, colon, cervical, and prostate cancer cells, and to inhibit migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells. Apigenin has also been shown to exhibit potent growth-inhibitory effects in breast cancer cells.

However, extensive studies have not yet been done to verify these claims.

Chamomile Precaution

• Can interfere with Warfarin (coumadin) and other blood-thinning therapy
• Contact dermatitis might occur.
• Anaphylactic reactions may occur.
• Chamomile tea can interfere with the absorption of dietary iron.
• Allergic reaction may occur for people who have allergies related to ragweed and daisy.
• Should be avoided with other couramin-containing plants (e.g. vanilla).
• Drowsiness may occur.
• Rash and vomiting may occur if consumed in massive amounts in a very short period of time.
• Not to be used on babies under six months of age.
• Not to be used when pregnant or lactating.

Chamomile is generally considered to be extremely safe, even in large quantities, and has little potential for negative interactions. Some of these symptoms are very short-lived and generally mild. 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.

Chamomile Health Benefits

• Promotes relaxation.
• Reduces the progress of hyperglycemia.
• Reduces the progress of diabetic complications.
• Cures skin problems (e.g. burns, allergies, rashes, etc.)
• Relaxes intestinal and stomach cramps.
• Reduces pain in menstrual cramps.
• Cures bowel problems and stomach infections (e.g. Ulcer, Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
• Reduces joint pain.
• Cures soar throat.
• Relieves headaches.
• Treats Insomnia.

Chamomile Tea

The tea can be made from flowers freshly picked or dried. Freshly picked flowers can be added directly to a pot filled with just boiled water. Steep the flowers for about three minutes and then remove. The tea can then be poured off into a cup. Consuming a petal or two is not harmful. Nevertheless, to avoid getting petals in the cup, the tea can be poured through a strainer.