Topical Chamomile for Diabetic Neuropathy and Carpal Tunnel

A 2025 study found that topical chamomile oil significantly improved diabetic neuropathy when added to standard medication therapy with gabapentin as compared to placebo oil with gabapentin. Improvement was measured with neurothesiometer (vibration perception) and questionnaires.

Similarly, a 2017 study found that topical chamomile oil significantly improved mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome vs placebo in addition to wrist splint over 4 weeks. Compound latency of the median nerve in the chamomile oil group significantly decreased compared to placebo. Some people may be allergic to chamomile and this can be severe in rare cases. Chamomile can also cause drowsiness, gastrointestinal issues or other side effects.

Amiri M, Imani MH, Imani AH, Bazrafshan H, Bazrafshan M, Vardanjani HM, Zohalinezhad ME. Topical chamomile oil as a novel therapeutic intervention for diabetic neuropathy: A randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial. Explore (NY). 2025 Jul-Aug;21(4):103189. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2025.103189. Epub 2025 May 16. PMID: 40440968.

Hashempur MH, Ghasemi MS, Daneshfard B, Ghoreishi PS, Lari ZN, Homayouni K, Zargaran A. Efficacy of topical chamomile oil for mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2017 Feb;26:61-67. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.11.010. Epub 2016 Nov 30. PMID: 28107852.