Chamomile (Matricaria Chamomilla L.) as An Anti-Inflammatory Agent for Oral Mucosa: Mechanisms and Clinical Evidence
Matricaria chamomilla L. commonly known as chamomile is a medicinal herb widely recognized for its potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the therapeutic potential of chamomile in managing oral mucosal inflammation, emphasizing its pharmacological mechanisms and clinical efficacy. Chamomile’s major bioactive compounds including flavonoids such as apigenin and essential oils like chamazulene and α-bisabolol modulate key inflammatory pathways by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), suppress the production of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), and regulating NF-κB activity. These effects collectively reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, and microbial colonization in oral tissues. Clinical trials demonstrate chamomile’s efficacy in reducing symptoms and accelerating healing in conditions such as oral mucositis, recurrent aphthous stomatitis, and gingivitis. Given its favourable safety profile and multi-targeted mechanisms, chamomile represents a promising natural adjunct or alternative in oral healthcare. Further standardized clinical research is warranted to optimize its therapeutic use.