Chamomile (botanical name – Chamomilla recutita or Matricaria recutita) is a herbal medicine that possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, anti-ulcer and other healing properties. It can also act as a mild sedative and may be suitable for the treatment of anxiety, colic, gastrointestinal inflammation and diarrhoea and may be used topically (on the skin) for the treatment of dermatitis, wounds and ulceration.
The following scientific research compared chamomile with cortisone treatment and the chamomile appeared to provide more beneficial results:
Comparative Analysis between Chamomilla recutita and Corticosteroids on Wound Healing. An In Vitro and In Vivo Study.
The comparison of chamomile and corticosteroids for treating ulcers was done in vitro and in vivo. The experimental groups were: control; chamomile recutita; triamcinolone acetonide and clobetasol propionate. For the in vitro study the cell viability of fibroblasts cultured for 24 h in media conditioned by the substances was obtained by the MTT reduction analysis. For the in vivo study, 125 male rats were submitted to experimental ulcers treated or not (control) by the substances tested. At 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days later 5 animals of each group were sacrificed. The lesions were analyzed by means of clinical observation and histological wound healing grading. Data were compared by ANOVA (p ≤0.05). All experimental groups presented positive cell viability in 24 h. The cultures treated with chamomile presented the smallest cell viability. All animals of the chamomile group exhibited complete wound healing 9 days before the other groups. Complete repaired lesions were observed after 5 days of treatment only in the chamomile group. Animals treated with chamomile presented significantly faster wound healing in comparison to those treated with corticosteroids. Based on the conditions of this study, we concluded that chamomile in comparison to corticosteroids promotes faster wound healing process.
Martins, Manoela Domingues., Márcia Martins Marques, Sandra Kalil Bussadori, Marco Antonio Trevizani Martins, Vanessa Christina Santos Pavesi, Raquel Agnelli Mesquita-Ferrari and Kristianne Porta Santos Fernandes, Phytother. Res. 23, 274–278 (2009).
So, next time your dog is suffering from an open wound or skin ulceration, you may like to try a good quality chamomile-based ointment from your local health food store. However, keep in mind that it is always best to seek professional advice from a qualified animal herbalist or animal naturopath before using herbal medicines on your dog.
Yours in Health, Sar Rooney BHSc., ND., DC., DASc., GDSc. (Hons) Zoology, MHATO, MATMS. Canine Naturopath, Naturopathic Physician, Research Health Scientist, ZoologistNaturopathic Animal Services
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