Evidence supporting the use of: Chamomile
For the health condition: Congestion (sinus)

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Synopsis

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

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) has a long history of use in traditional medicine for a variety of ailments, including respiratory congestion and sinus issues. In folk medicine, chamomile is often used as an herbal steam inhalation or in teas to help alleviate congestion symptoms. The primary rationale is that chamomile contains volatile oils, such as bisabolol and chamazulene, which may have mild anti-inflammatory and soothing effects on mucous membranes. There are also anecdotal reports of chamomile's steam helping to loosen mucus and provide symptomatic relief.

However, scientific evidence supporting chamomile's effectiveness specifically for sinus congestion is limited. Some small studies and in vitro research suggest chamomile's anti-inflammatory properties could be beneficial for mucosal irritation, but robust clinical trials are lacking. The use of chamomile steam inhalation is primarily grounded in traditional practice rather than modern evidence-based medicine. Most available research focuses on chamomile's effects on anxiety, sleep, and gastrointestinal disorders, rather than its impact on sinus congestion. Thus, while chamomile's use for congestion is established in folk traditions, it is not strongly supported by scientific studies, warranting a relatively low evidence score.

More about chamomile
More about Congestion (sinus)

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