Chamomile Extract

Summary: The efficacy of Kamillosan cream was tested against three other pharmaceutical preparations using 161 volunteers with inflammatory dermatitis. (Kamillosan cream contains chamomile extract as a major ingredient). The results showed that the Kamillosan cream had similar therapeutic effects as the steroidal cream (0.25% hydrocortisone), and superior effects to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents.

Effects on inflammation and wounds
Safayhi H, Sabieraj J, Sailer ER, Ammon HP (1994). Chamazulene: an antioxidant-type inhibitor of leukotriene B4 formation. Planta Med, 60(5):410-3.

Summary: Preparations of chamomile are used to treat inflammatory bowel and skin diseases. Chamomile extract has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory effects. This study compared two constituents of chamomile, matricine and chamazulene. The researchers found that the chamazulene, but not the matricine, inhibited the inflammatory process.

Hartman D, Coetzee JC. (2002). Two US practitioners' experience of using essential oils for wound care. J Wound Care 118 317-20.

This article describes the results of using lavender and chamomile essential oils on chronic wounds. The study compared 5 patients using essential oil therapy to 3 controls using only conventional therapy. Lavender and chamomile were combined and diluted in a grape seed oil carrier base. The recipients of essential oil treatment did better than those who received only conventional treatment. The authors conclude that essential oils have a promising role to play in chronic wound care, but randomized controlled clinical trials are needed. (Essentials note: lavender and chamomile are in our Wound Care blend).

Carl W, Emrich LS (1991). Management of oral mucositis during local radiation and systemic chemotherapy: a study of 98 patients. J Prosthet Dent, 66(3):361-9.

Summary: Inflammation of the tissue in the mouth is a complication of head and neck irradiation. Kamillosan Liquidum, which contains german chamomile, was evaluated as an oral rinse. The study found that the rinse helped to prevent inflammation and maintain tissue integrity.

Fidler P, Loprinzi CL, O'Fallon JR, Leitch JM, Lee JK, Hayes DL, Novotny P, Clemens-Schutjer D, Bartel J, Michalak JC (1996). Prospective evaluation of a chamomile mouthwash for prevention of 5-FU-induced oral mucositis. Cancer, 77(3):522-5.

Summary: This study did not support the use of a chamomile mouthwash for decreasing chemotherapy-induced oral inflammation.

Akihisa T, Yasukawa K, Oinuma H, Kasahara Y, Yamanouchi S, Takido M, Kumaki K, Tamura T (1996). Triterpene alcohols from the flowers of compositae and their anti-inflammatory effects. Phytochemistry, 43(6):1255-60.

Summary: These chemical constituents of chamomile showed marked anti-inflammatory activity against induced skin inflammation in mice.

Merfort I, Heilmann J, Hagedorn-Leweke U, Lippold BC (1994). In vivo skin penetration studies of chamomile flavones. Pharmazie, 49(7):509-11.

Summary: Using human volunteers, the study concluded that chamomile flavonoids penetrate below the skin surface into the deeper skin layers. The authors stated that this is important for their use as topical antiphlogistic (anti-inflammatory) agents.

Shipochliev T, Dimitrov A, Aleksandrova E (1981). Anti-inflammatory action of a group of plant extracts. Vet Med Nauki, 18(6):87-94.

Summary: Inflammation was induced in rats in order to evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of plant extracts. German chamomile was found to significantly suppress inflammation.

Jakovlev V, Isaac O, Flaskamp E (1983). Pharmacologic studies on chamomile compounds. VI. Studies on the antiphlogistic effect of chamazulene and matricine. Planta Med, 49(2):67-73.

Summary: This article is in German. We will be translating it and summarizing the results in the near future.

Jakovlev V, Isaac O, Thiemer K, Kunde R (1979). Pharmacological investigations with compounds of chamomile ii. new investigations on the antiphlogistic effects of (-)-alpha-bisabolol and bisabolol oxides]. Planta Med, 35(2):125-40.

Summary: This article is in German. We will be translating it and summarizing the results in the near future.

Jakovlev V, Schlichtegroll A von (1960). On the inflammation inhibitory effect of (-)-alpha-bisabolol, an essential component of chamomilla oil]. Arzneimittelforschung, 19(4):615-6.

Summary: This article is in German. We will be translating it and summarizing

Papaya Extract

The treatment of paediatric burns using topical papaya.

Starley IF, Mohammed P, Schneider G, Bickler SW.

The Royal Preston Hospital , Preston , Lancashire , UK .

Due to the limited resources for the management of burns in most regions of Africa there is a significant role for many aspects of traditional African medicine. The active component of many traditional preparations is often of plant origin and more than 25 plants have been described as useful in relations to burns and wound healing. Carica papaya is currently used in The Gambia at the Royal Victoria Hospital , Banjul in the Paediatric Unit as the major component of burns dressings, where it is well tolerated by the children. Cheap and widely available, the pulp of the papaya fruit is mashed and applied daily to full thickness and infected burns. It appears to be effective in desloughing necrotic tissue, preventing burn wound infection, and providing a granulating wound suitable for the application of a split thickness skin graft. Possible mechanisms of action include the activity of proteolytic enzymes chymopapain and papain, as well as an anti microbial activity, although further studies are required.

Publication Types:

• Clinical Trial

PMID: 10563690 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Topical use of papaya in chronic skin ulcer therapy in Jamaica .

Hewitt H, Whittle S, Lopez S, Bailey E, Weaver S.

Department of Advanced Nursing Education, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies , Kingston , Jamaica .

The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of the use of the fruit (papaya) of Carica papaya as topical ulcer dressings by registered nurses in the Spanish Town Hospital (STH), Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) and the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), Jamaica . A ten-item pretested self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 285 randomly selected registered nurses at the UHWI, KPH and STH. There was a 72% response rate. The prevalence of topical papaya use among the respondents was 75%. Comments from the users of papaya suggested that topical application of the unripe fruit promoted desloughing, granulation and healing and reduced odor in chronic skin ulcers. It was cost effective. Papaya was considered to be more effective than other topical applications in the treatment of chronic ulcers. There was some difficulty in preparation of the fruit and occasionally a sensation of burning was reported by the patients. There was concern about the use of a non-sterile, non-standardised procedure but there were no reports of wound infection from its use. Papaya is widely used by nurses as a form of dressing for chronic ulcers and there is need for standardization of its preparation and application.

PMID: 10786448 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]