The effect of chamomile on nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A triple-blind randomized clinical trial

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Chamomilla Recutita on nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Chamomilla Recutita (L.) fell into either chamomile or placebo groups randomly. The intervention was performed one hour before the operation. The severity of nausea and the frequency of vomiting was measured using a visual analog scale. Both groups were studied in three stages before the operation, after the operation in recovery, and 2 hours after the operation. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics (SPSS). The mean severity of nausea increased significantly over time in both groups; however, this increase was significantly slighter in the chamomile group than that in the placebo group. The frequency of preoperative nausea in the chamomile and placebo groups was 6.2% and 25%, respectively, before being discharged from the recovery. Two hours later, in the surgical ward, this frequency was estimated to be 31.2% in the chamomile group and 75% in the placebo group (P <0.05). The frequency of vomiting in the surgical ward was 15.6% and 56.2% in the chamomile and placebo groups, respectively. Thus, this frequency in the chamomile group was significantly lower than in the placebo group (P<0.001). It seems that in laparoscopic surgeries, the use of chamomile drops as a preventive drug reduces postoperative nausea and vomiting.