Innocent or Guilty Chamomile

Chamomile is a particularly well known herb and its allergic effects, including the phenomenon of cross-sensitivity, are discussed in several books and articles. Although the plant can in fact cause allergy, the symptoms are usually anything but dramatic. 

German chamomile or wild chamomile Matricaria recutita) is a member of the Asteraceae plant family and owes its popularity to various properties, which include confirmed anti-inflammatoty, antibacterial and antispasmodic activities. As a consequence, it is used against the common cold, stomach aches and skin inflammations. Despite its widespread use, very few adverse effects have been reported, and only some of these side effects are allergic in nature. So then, why is there so much talk about chamomile and allergies  

First of all, it should be noted that the origins and symptoms of allergies vary quite a bit modem medicine classifies hypersensitivity reactions into five types (I-V). All of these involve an exaggerated immime response the body tries to defend itself against something that is certainly not dangerous and the body s defense reaction is exaggerated. 

The same compound (or structurally very similar varieties) may occm in several related species, which explains why allergy is usually not specific to a single plant. This is called cross-reactivity, and since chamomile belongs to the same family (Asteraceae) as notorious allergenic common ragweed, cross-reactivity carmot be excluded. 

Sesquiterpene lactones only cause allergy on contact with skin, with no oral effect being observed. These molecules are relatively small, and they can only cause hypersensitivity when they bind to proteins in skin. 

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