Effect of Matricaria chamomilla on Salivary Properties

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pH, salivary flow, and buffer capacity caused by the ingestion of chamomile tea.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven healthy subjects, between 18 and 21 years old, and with low caries risk, were enrolled. Three salivary samples were obtained: (1) baseline saliva, (2) saliva post-intake of water, and (3) saliva post-ingestion of chamomile. All tests were conducted under standard conditions. pH was determined by potentiometry (PL-600, GOnDO Electronics Co., Taiwan), buffering capacity by Ericsson's method, and salivary flow during recollection in mL/min.

RESULTS: All data were processed by the Mann-Whitney test with SPSS 15.0 software. Baseline salivary flow rate was 0.51 mL/min, with a pH and buffer capacity of 7.18 and 3.19, respectively. Post-intake of water, flow rate tended to decrease (0.38 mL/min), pH remained relatively constant (7.22), and the buffer capacity had a slight tendency to increase (4.2). Post-intake of chamomile, flow and pH remained stable (7.23 and 0.53 mL/min), and a significant increase in buffer capacity was observed, to 5.00 (p = 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Salivary pH after the ingestion of chamomile remains stable; however, the buffer capacity and salivary flow increase significantly, suggesting a positive effect in preventing tooth decay.