title: Chamomile Consumption and Mortality: A Prospective Study of Mexican Origin Older Adults.
abstract: Approximately 20% of adults use some kind of herbal; however, little data exists from population-based study or clinical trials to support effectiveness of most herbal products. Chamomile is a commonly used herb among older adults of Mexican origin. We examined the effects of herbal chamomile consumption on mortality among older adults of Mexican origin.
  
  
  
  A sample from the Hispanic Established Populations for Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly, a population-based study of noninstitutionalized Mexican Americans aged 65 and older from five Southwestern states (Texas, California, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona). We included all men and women from 2000 to 2007 (n = 1,677).
  
  
  
  Chamomile was used by 14% of the sample. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses showed that chamomile was associated with a decreased risk of mortality in the total sample (hazard ratio [HR] 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55-0.92) and for women (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.49-0.92) but not for men. In models adjusted for sociodemographic variables, health behaviors, and chronic conditions, chamomile remained significantly associated with reduced mortality in women (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.53-0.98).
  
  
  
  The use of chamomile shows protective effects against mortality in this sample of older adults of Mexican origin for women. Further research is warranted in other populations to determine if these effects are consistent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston. bthowrey@utmb.edu.
authors.forename: Bret T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Howrey
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston.
authors.forename: M Kristen
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Peek
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston.
authors.forename: Juliet M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: McKee
authors.affiliation: Division of Geriatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston.
authors.forename: Mukaila A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Raji
authors.affiliation: Division of Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston.
authors.forename: Kenneth J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Ottenbacher
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston.
authors.forename: Kyriakos S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Markides
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001130:Arizona; D002140:California; D020843:Chamomile; D003120:Colorado; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans; D009026:Mortality; D009516:New Mexico; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D065840:Protective Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013781:Texas
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations
keywords: Herbs and supplements; Hispanic; Mortality