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- Chamomile (Matricaria recutita syn. Chamomilla recutita, Asteraceae)
- Mortality
- Mexican-American Survey
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Date:
03-15-2016 | HC# 101543-540
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Re: Chamomile Shows Protective Effects against Mortality in Older Mexican Women
Howrey BT, Peek MK, McKee JM, Raji MA,
Ottenbacher KJ, Markides KS. Chamomile consumption and mortality: a prospective
study of Mexican origin older adults. Gerontologist.
April 29, 2015; [epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnv051.
Using data from the
Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly
(H-EPESE), a population-based study of 3050 free-living Mexican-Americans aged
65 and older in five southwestern states, the authors examined effects of
chamomile (Matricaria recutita syn. Chamomilla recutita, Asteraceae)
consumption on mortality in all H-EPESE participants from 2000-2007 (n=1677).
H-EPESE data have been collected in seven waves beginning in 1993-1994; the
authors began with Wave 4 (2000-2001), when herbal use was first reliably
queried. Mortality data, verified through the National Death Index and Social
Security, exist through 2007, setting the time frame of the study. Final
survival status of each cohort member was determined at the end of Wave 6 data
collection. Data used represented 7824 person-years with 644 deaths. Cause-specific
mortality was determined by International
Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth
Revision (ICD-10) codes.
Data from the 2002
National Health Interview Survey/Complementary and Alternative Medicine
supplement (NHIS/CAM) show that about 20% of US residents used herbs or herbal
supplements in the 12 months preceding the survey; among Hispanics and
Asian-Americans, 30%. Prevalence is higher among women than men; among
Mexican-Americans, twice as high. Tea (Camellia
sinensis, Theaceae) consumption is one of the most common forms of herb
use, with both black and green tea beverages linked to lower risk of mortality,
fewer cardiovascular events, and reduced incidence of some cancers in regular
users. A Japanese study found that drinking three or more cups of green tea
daily was associated with reduced risk of mortality, especially for women and
for cardiovascular-related deaths. However, Mexican-American adults typically drink
chamomile (manzanilla) infusions rather
than tea. The authors hypothesized that chamomile use in their sample would be
associated with reduced all-cause mortality and possibly fewer cardiovascular-related
and cancer deaths, and that, given gender differences in chamomile use, effects
would differ for women and men. H-EPESE participants were asked if they had
used any herbal medication in the two weeks preceding their response; those who
responded affirmatively were asked to name the herbs used, with up to four
responses coded for each participant.
Chamomile was used by
14% of the cohort. An initial Cox proportional hazards analysis for all-cause
mortality, cancer, and chronic heart disease was adjusted only for chamomile
use. A second model also considered age, gender, marital status, level of
education, financial strain (determined by self-reported degree of difficulty
in paying monthly bills), and nativity (US or foreign born); a third added
diagnoses of hypertension, heart attack, diabetes, and arthritis; and a fourth
added limitations in activities of daily living (ADL), depressive symptoms (as
measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale [CESD]), body
mass index (BMI), and tobacco (Nicotiana
tabacum, Solanaceae) and alcohol
use. Regression analyses showed chamomile associated with 29% less risk of
mortality for the whole sample (hazard ratio [HR] 0.71, 95% confidence interval
[CI] 0.55-0.92), and 33% reduced risk for women (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.49-0.92) but
not men. After adjusting for sociodemographic and health variables, chamomile
remained significantly associated with a 28% reduced mortality risk in women
(HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.53-0.98). In the cohort, female gender conferred a 45%
reduction in risk from all-cause mortality. While place of birth had no effect
on men, US-born women saw an increased risk of mortality of 27%. Underweight
women were more than twice as likely to die. Depressive symptoms in men were
associated with a 37% risk increase, but obese men had a 36% reduced risk of
mortality. Fully adjusted models showed no association between chamomile use
and any specific causes of death.
Potential health
effects of chamomile have been studied in humans and in vivo. Its active
compounds include terpenoids, alpha-bisabolol, and azulenes, with known antioxidant,
antimicrobial, antiplatelet, and anti-inflammatory effects. Its antioxidant
effects include reduced lipid oxidation. Chamomile's constituents are
associated with cancer prevention, cholesterol-lowering activities, antigenotoxic
effects, and sedation. Its apigenin glucosides and alpha-bisabolol may cause
apoptosis in cancer cells. Chamomile is often used in Mexico for
gastrointestinal ailments, and clinical case studies show it may be helpful in
dyspepsia and in mucositis following radiation and chemotherapy. It may have
benefits in hyperglycemia, diabetic complications, and anxiety disorder. It is
perhaps most commonly consumed, alone or in herbal blends, to promote restful
sleep and has been reported to improve daytime functioning in patients with
chronic insomnia.
This study could not
determine a dose-response relationship for chamomile because of limitations in
the data used. The particular pathways that chamomile may influence in reducing
risk of all-cause mortality are unknown and long-term effects of consumption
are unclear. Further study is warranted in different populations, with a
particular need to ascertain levels of and reasons for chamomile use.
—Mariann
Garner-Wizard
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