Evidence supporting the use of: Chamomile
For the health condition: Rhinitis

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Synopsis

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

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla or Chamaemelum nobile) has been traditionally used for a variety of respiratory ailments, including rhinitis, primarily due to its reputed anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and soothing properties. In traditional medicine systems, such as European herbalism and some Middle Eastern practices, chamomile preparations (teas, steam inhalations, and extracts) have been recommended to relieve symptoms associated with nasal congestion, sneezing, and irritation—common features of rhinitis.

The traditional rationale for chamomile’s use in rhinitis centers on its ability to soothe mucous membranes and reduce inflammation. Chamomile contains compounds like apigenin, chamazulene, and bisabolol, which have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and mild antihistamine effects in laboratory studies. These effects may contribute to symptom relief in rhinitis, especially allergic rhinitis. Some small clinical studies and case reports suggest that inhaling chamomile vapor or using chamomile-based nasal preparations may alleviate nasal symptoms, but the evidence is limited and not robustly validated in large, controlled trials.

Overall, while chamomile’s use in rhinitis is primarily justified by traditional practice and some plausible mechanistic support, high-quality scientific evidence is lacking. Most healthcare guidelines do not recommend chamomile as a first-line therapy for rhinitis, though it may provide mild, adjunctive symptom relief for some individuals.

More about chamomile
More about Rhinitis

Other health conditions supported by chamomile

Abdominal Pain
Abrasions
Abscesses
Abuse and Trauma
Acid Indigestion
Acne
Addictions (general remedies for)
Adrenal Fatigue
Afterbirth Pain
Age Spots
Allergies (respiratory)
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Antibiotics (side effects of)
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Anger (excessive)
Bedwetting
Belching
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Blisters
Bloodshot Eyes
Boils
Bruises (healing)
Bulimia
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
Colic (children)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cuts
Depression
Dermatitis
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dysmenorrhea
Dyspepsia
Ear Infection or Earache
Eczema
Emotional Sensitivity
Enteritis
Epilepsy
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Fever
Fungal Infections
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Halitosis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Hemorrhoids
Hiatal Hernia
Hiccups
Hysteria
Indigestion
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Insomnia
Irritability
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Itching Ears
Labor and Delivery
Laryngitis
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Lesions
Lupus
Measles
Morning Sickness
Nausea and Vomiting
Nose Bleeds
Perspiration (excessive)
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
PMS Type P
Poison Ivy or Oak
Post Partum Depression
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Rashes and Hives
Restless Dreams
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic
Rosacea
Scratches and Abrasions
Seizures
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Sore Throat
Strep Throat
Stress
Sunburn
Sweat Baths (herbs for)
Teething
Tension
Tickle in Throat
TMJ
Tonsillitis