Evidence supporting the use of: Chamomile
For the health condition: Sore Throat

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Synopsis

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

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) has a long history of use in traditional medicine for relieving sore throat symptoms. Traditionally, chamomile has been used as a tea or gargle to soothe irritated mucous membranes of the throat. Historical records from European folk medicine and various herbal compendia document its use as an anti-inflammatory and mild analgesic remedy. The perceived benefits are attributed to chamomile's bioactive constituents, such as apigenin, chamazulene, and bisabolol, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial properties in vitro.

Scientific evidence supporting chamomile’s effectiveness for sore throat is limited. A few small clinical studies and case reports suggest that chamomile preparations (such as teas or gargles) may offer symptomatic relief, likely due to their soothing and anti-inflammatory effects. However, high-quality, large-scale randomized controlled trials specifically investigating chamomile for sore throat are lacking. Some studies on chamomile in the context of oral mucositis (a condition with symptoms similar to sore throat) have shown modest benefits in reducing inflammation and discomfort, but these findings cannot be directly extrapolated to common sore throat conditions such as those caused by viral or bacterial infections.

In summary, chamomile’s use for sore throat is supported primarily by traditional medicine, with some preliminary scientific rationale but limited direct clinical validation. It may provide mild symptomatic relief, but should not be considered a substitute for evidence-based medical treatments, especially in the case of persistent or severe symptoms.

More about chamomile
More about Sore Throat

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