Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) has a long history of use in traditional medicine for a variety of digestive complaints, including colic in both children and adults. Traditional European herbal medicine recommends chamomile as an antispasmodic and carminative, believed to soothe the gastrointestinal tract, relieve gas, and ease cramping or spasms that characterize colic. Historical texts and herbal compendia, such as those from the German Commission E and various ethnobotanical sources, document its widespread use for digestive upset, with colic specifically mentioned in some cases.

However, direct scientific evidence supporting chamomile’s efficacy in treating colic in adults is limited. While a few small studies and reviews suggest chamomile preparations can reduce symptoms of infantile colic (often as part of multi-herb formulas), robust clinical trials in adults are lacking. Most modern use remains based on tradition and extrapolation from its known antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in animal studies. The evidence rating of 2 reflects this reliance on historical precedent and some suggestive, but not conclusive, scientific rationale. More high-quality, adult-focused clinical research would be needed to raise the evidence rating further.

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