Home About Programs Calendar Store Blog Contact

Chamomile and Sesame Oil for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

aromatherapy carpal tunnel syndrome
Chamomile and Sesame Oil for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Very exciting research is being done on carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and the topical use of chamomile and sesame oil. The study summary is below—enjoy!

With gratitude,
Margaret

Study Reviewed

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

Why This Matters

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is commonly characterized by tingling, numbness, and weakness in the hand. Conventional treatments may include surgery, splinting, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids.

In traditional Persian medicine, chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla / M. recutita) has been considered an analgesic agent, and chamomile flower extract has been used topically for joint pain. The authors of this study had previously reported that a standardized formulation of chamomile oil appeared beneficial in severe CTS. This trial explored whether it could help people with mild-to-moderate CTS.

Who Participated

Patients over age 18 who met electrodiagnostic criteria for mild-to-moderate CTS were recruited from outpatient clinics in Shiraz, Iran, between August 2014 and February 2015.

Participants also had at least two of the following symptoms:

  • numbness

  • paresthesia (burning or prickling sensation)

  • nocturnal pain

  • tingling

  • positive Phalen, Tinel, or compression tests

Exclusion Criteria Included

  • severe CTS

  • previous wrist trauma/fracture or surgery for median nerve release

  • intracarpal injection within six months

  • cervical radiculopathy detected by electromyography

  • recent use of analgesics or corticosteroids

  • hypersensitivity to the study treatments

  • inability to complete study forms

  • neuropathy

  • collagen vascular diseases

  • rheumatoid arthritis

  • hyperthyroidism

  • diabetes

  • renal failure

  • alcoholism

How the Treatment Was Made

The treatment oil was prepared by the researchers using a method based on historical medical literature.

Chamomile flowers were purchased from a traditional herbal shop in Shiraz, sourced from the nearby city of Kazeroon, and morphologically authenticated. Powdered chamomile flower was boiled in distilled water, the plant residue removed, and the resulting liquid combined with sesame seed oil and boiled until the water was removed.

The authors noted the final preparation contained 1% chamomile essential oil.

What Was in the Chamomile Essential Oil

The essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The main components were reported as:

  • bisabolone oxide A (62.4%)

  • bisabolol oxides A and B (15.5% and 2.1%)

  • β-caryophyllene (7.5%)

What the Placebo Contained (Important Detail)

The placebo was 10% sesame oil in pharmaceutical paraffin with 0.1% chamomile essential oil. The authors said the small amount of chamomile was included so the placebo had a chamomile odor, helping maintain blinding.

What Participants Did

All participants were instructed to wear a wrist splint at night to immobilize the wrist.

For four weeks, morning and evening, participants applied five drops of the treatment oil or placebo to the palmar area of the wrist. They were instructed not to massage the wrist.

How Results Were Measured

The primary outcome was assessed at the beginning and end of the study using the Persian version of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, which measures symptom severity and function.

Results at a Glance

Of 112 assessed patients, 86 were enrolled. Forty-three were assigned to each group. Nine were lost to follow-up. Final completion:

  • 39 in the chamomile group

  • 38 in the placebo group

Improvements Reported

Improvement from baseline was significantly greater in the chamomile group compared with placebo for:

  • symptom severity

  • functionality

  • dynamometry (muscle power), which slightly worsened in the placebo group and improved in the chamomile group

There were no other significant changes in electrodiagnostic measurements.

Side Effects

No adverse effects were reported.

The Authors’ Conclusion (and a Key Caution)

The authors concluded that four weeks of this traditional chamomile oil preparation improved symptoms and function in people with mild-to-moderate CTS.

They also noted an important limitation: sesame oil has known antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anesthetic properties. Because of that, the benefits cannot be attributed to chamomile alone. The chamomile and sesame oils may be working additively or synergistically.

Other limitations included the short study duration (CTS is often chronic) and the relatively small sample size. Even so, the study offered supportive evidence for the approach.

—Heather S. Oliff, PhD

Study Details: At a Glance

Participants: 86 men and women
Mean age: 43.7 (test group) and 41.9 (control group)
Condition: mild-to-moderate CTS
Study design: randomized, controlled trial
Study length: four weeks
Test material: topical oil containing 1% chamomile essential oil and sesame oil (prepared by authors)
Control: placebo oil containing 10% sesame oil and 0.1% chamomile essential oil
Financial disclosures: none