Topical Application of Chamomile Oil Beneficial for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Written by Angeline A. De Leon, Staff Writer. Chamomile, known for its potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and analgesic effects, significantly improved symptom severity in the study participants with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) involves sensations of numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist. Primarily affecting individuals in the age range of 40-60 years old ¹, cases of CTS are limited to surgical treatment options and splinting and steroid therapy, although the long-term effectiveness of such strategies is still under investigation ². In the practice of complementary and alternative medicine, the use of German chamomile, Matricaria chamomilla L. (Asteraceae), is associated with successful management of neuropathic pain ³, with studies suggesting that the herbal remedy may function as a painkiller and a neural tissue strengthening agent when applied topically ⁴. The flowers of chamomile have been found to contain flavonoids and unique compounds similar to those in essential oils, which endow the traditional oil with potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic effects ^5,6. Moreover, research, thus far, suggests that topical use of chamomile oil is not associated with any serious toxic effects ³. To evaluate the efficacy of topical chamomile oil as an analgesic agent, a recent study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice (2017) examined the impact of standardized traditional chamomile oil on symptoms of mild and moderate CTS.

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, a total of 86 patients (aged 18 years and older) with the diagnosis of mild to moderate CTS were recruited as participants. In addition to receiving standard treatment with a wrist splint, patients were prescribed to topically apply 5 drops of either standardized traditional chamomile oil or a placebo oil containing 10% sesame oil twice daily for four weeks. At the beginning and end of the intervention, researchers collected data regarding functional status and symptom severity (using the Persian version of Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire), as well as dynamometry (measurement of force or power).

Analyses indicated that relative to the placebo group, those treated with chamomile exhibited significant improvement on dynamometry (8.44 +/- 6.26 to 9.76 +/- 6.22, p = 0.040), functionality (2.5 +/- 0.89 to 1.82 +/- 0.73, p = 0.0001), and symptom severity scores (2.37 +/- 0.96 to 1.65 +/- 0.60, p = 0.017). Compound latency of the median nerve (a measure of motor function in the hand) was also seen to significantly decrease for the chamomile group vs. placebo (2.54 +/- 0.09 to 2.15 +/- 0.31, p = 0.035).

Overall, findings suggest that for supportive management of mild to moderate cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, the topical use of traditional chamomile oil may offer helpful benefits as a complementary treatment to standard steroid therapy. By bolstering physical functioning and improving symptom severity, the polyphenol-rich oil of chamomile may improve functionality and strength in patients with CTS through its analgesic, anti-inflammatory properties.

Source: Hashempur MH, Ghasemi MS, Daneshfard B, et al. Efficacy of topical chamomile oil for mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome: A randomized double-blind Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2017; 26: 61-67.placebo controlled trial.

© 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Posted November 14, 2017.

Angeline A. De Leon, MA, graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2010, completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a concentration in neuroscience. She received her master’s degree from The Ohio State University in 2013, where she studied clinical neuroscience within an integrative health program. Her specialized area of research involves the complementary use of neuroimaging and neuropsychology-based methodologies to examine how lifestyle factors, such as physical activity and meditation, can influence brain plasticity and enhance overall connectivity.

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