Effect of Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) Syrup on Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia: A Randomized Triple-Blind Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial

PURPOSE: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy of childhood. Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia as a serious hematologic toxicity is one of the main treatment complications in these patients. We hypothesized that an herbal formulation of chamomile could be effective in management of neutropenia. RESULTS: A total number of 20 patients in each group (40 in total) finished the study. Comparison of longitudinal changes between the groups revealed higher level of WBC (P-value = .008) and absolute neutrophil count (P-value = .038) in the test group. In addition, patients in chamomile group had shorter course of hospitalization in comparison to control group (2 days on average). No adverse effect was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Using chamomile syrup as a complementary treatment in pediatric oncology patients can improve their immunity and minimize their chemotherapy complications, specially neutropenia.