IgE-mediated reactions

Camomile pollen can induce asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis. (1)

In a study of patients allergic to Camomile, 10 of 14 had a clinical history of immediate reactions to Camomile, in some cases life-threatening. Eleven subjects were also shown by specific IgE tests to be sensitised to Mugwort, and eight to Birch tree pollen. (2)

One study reports that Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) hay fever can be associated with the Asteraceae (Compositae) family of foods, including Camomile, but that it is not normally associated with other foods. The inference is that individuals allergic to Camomile pollen may be allergic to other parts of the plant or infusions made from the plant. (3,4)

Nine patients with hay fever, with or without asthma, experienced systemic allergic reactions after ingestion of natural honeys and/or Camomile tea. This study suggests that pollen of Asteraceae (Compositae) may be responsible for allergic reactions to certain natural foods and that the reactions are mediated by an IgE-related mechanism. (5)

Allergy and anaphylaxis have been described to Camomile, (4,6,7) as well as anaphylaxis to a Camomile tea enema. (8,9)

Camomile has been suggested to cause Oral Allergy Syndrome. (10)

Other reactions

A 43-year-old male tea-packing plant worker developed occupational asthma and rhinitis caused by inhalation exposure to chamomile dust. (11)

Camomile flowers, leaves and stems contain sesquiterpene lactone, which causes contact dermatitis. (15) Camomile is one of the commonest causes of contact dermatitis, and cross-reactivity between this plant and other members of the Compositae, e.g., Chrysanthemum, Feverfew and Tansy, are common. (13-15)

In this study, allergen-specific immunoglobulin E antibodies to black or Camomile tea were found in 5.6% of employees of a tea packing factory, but there was little evidence of specific allergic sensitisation to the tea varieties tested. The excess of work-related respiratory and nasal symptoms probably represented non-specific irritation. (16,17)

Contact urticaria and allergic contact dermatitis have been reported to the plant and tea. (18-24)

Camomile tea eye washing has been shown to induce allergic conjunctivitis. (3) A 20-year-old woman with a proven allergy to camomile suffered from short-lasting rhinitis when using a camomile-scented toilet paper. (25)

Allergens of 23-50 kDa have been detected, all heat-stable. (2)

A homologue of the major Birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 has been detected in two Camomile blots (from the plant, not the pollen). Deglycosylation experiments proved the presence of carbohydrate determinants in Camomile, which were, however, not responsible for IgE-binding. Profilins (Bet v 2) were not detected in the Camomile extracts. (2)

Cross Reactivity

An extensive cross-reactivity among the different individual species of the genus could be expected, as well as to a certain degree among members of the family Asteraceae (Compositae). (26)

One study shows a high degree of in vivo cross-reactivity between Artemisia vulgaris and Matricaria chamomilla, and the authors suggest that sensitisation to A. vulgaris may thus result in allergic reactions to Camomile infusions. (1,3)

In laboratory studies, binding to Camomile proteins was inhibited in variable degrees by extracts from Celery roots, Anise seeds and pollen from Mugwort, Birch and Timothy grass. (2)

In a group of flower sellers investigated for occupational allergy, extensive cross-sensitisation was seen to pollen of several members of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family (e.g., Matricaria, Chrysanthemum, Solidago) and to pollen of the Amaryllidaceae family (Alstroemeria and Narcissus). (27)

Cross-reactivity among Camomile tea extract and the pollens of Matricaria chamomilla, Ambrosia trifida (Giant Ragweed), and Artemisia vulgaris (Mugwort), was demonstrated by an ELISA-inhibition study. (4)

Last reviewed: May 2022