Common medicinal herbs such as chamomile and sage are generally safe in the amounts used in food and tea, but scientific evidence for their therapeutic benefits is limited or preliminary. They may interact with medicines such as warfarin, and they should be used with caution during pregnancy. They are not a substitute for medical treatment, so tell your doctor or pharmacist about every herb you use.
What are the common medicinal herbs in Jordan, and what does the evidence say about them?
Common medicinal herbs are part of the Jordanian kitchen and home: a cup of chamomile to soothe the stomach, sage with tea in winter, or anise after meals. This use is old and familiar, but being familiar does not mean it has been scientifically proven or is free of risks.
This article relies on two sources from the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) on chamomile and sage. These two sources distinguish between what is claimed for an herb and what studies have actually shown. We did not rely on any source for anise, so we make no claims about it.
Why should we distinguish between dietary and therapeutic use?
An occasional cup of herbal tea is different from a concentrated extract or capsules taken daily to treat a health problem. Both sources distinguish between the amounts normally found in food and tea, and larger amounts or long-term use, for which reliable information is limited.
Oral herbal products are also marketed in the United States mainly as dietary supplements. They are not approved before sale the way medicines are, and the manufacturer is responsible for the product's safety and labeling [1]. Therefore, do not assume that "natural" means "tested and guaranteed."
What does the evidence say about chamomile?
Chamomile (Chamomile) is promoted for colds, indigestion, anxiety, insomnia, infantile colic and coughs, and it is used topically for some skin problems and as a mouthwash [1]. However, studies have not produced sufficiently reliable evidence to assess its clinical benefit in these conditions. Also, some studies tested mixtures of several herbs, which makes it difficult to know the effect of chamomile alone [1].
What do preliminary studies suggest?
- Anxiety: Preliminary studies suggest that a chamomile supplement may help generalized anxiety disorder and the depression that accompanies it [1].
- Insomnia: Information is very scarce. A 2019 review found one study that did not show a benefit of chamomile for insomnia [1].
- Diarrhea and infant colic: Products containing herbal mixtures that include chamomile may help diarrhea in children and infant colic, but chamomile alone has not been proven to help in these conditions [1].
- Mouth: Small studies suggest that chamomile-containing mouthwashes may prevent or treat inflammation and swelling of the mouth caused by radiation or chemotherapy, or by stem cell transplantation [1].
If you suffer from recurrent mouth ulcers, the cause needs to be evaluated. You can read common causes of recurrent mouth ulcers and treatment options.
How safe is chamomile?
Chamomile is probably safe when taken in the amounts normally found in tea and food, and it is possibly safe for adults and children for short-term medicinal use by mouth [1]. Side effects are uncommon and may include nausea, dizziness and allergic reactions, including severe allergy and anaphylaxis in some people [1]. The risk of allergy is higher in people who are allergic to related plants such as ragweed, chrysanthemum, marigold and other plants of the daisy family [1]. Using it near the eyes may cause irritation [1].
What does the evidence say about sage?
Sage (Sage) is a shrub native to the Mediterranean and Middle East. It is used as a spice in cooking and has traditionally been used for digestive, respiratory and skin problems [2]. Today it is marketed as a supplement for menopausal symptoms, memory improvement and lowering cholesterol [2]. However, research on it is limited, and no firm conclusions can be drawn about its effects [2].
| Promoted use | What the evidence says |
|---|---|
| Hot flashes in menopause | A few small studies suggest that common sage may reduce how often they occur [2] |
| Memory and cognition | Some studies suggest improvement in memory tests in healthy people, but the evidence is limited and needs further research; its effect in Alzheimer's patients is uncertain [2] |
| Blood fats and cholesterol | A few studies suggest a beneficial effect [2] |
| Blood sugar | There is not enough evidence to know whether it is helpful [2] |
The practical takeaway: do not rely on sage instead of cholesterol or diabetes medicines, or instead of menopause symptom treatment prescribed by your doctor. If you wish to try it, discuss this with your doctor first.
Is sage safe?
Sage is probably safe in the amounts found in food, and larger amounts have been used safely for up to 8 weeks in research studies [2]. However, some species, including common sage (Salvia officinalis), contain thujone, which may be toxic in large amounts, so sage may be unsafe at high doses or with long-term use [2]. Therefore, do not drink large amounts of it daily for many weeks just because it is an "herb."
What about anise?
Anise is one of the most common herbs in Jordanian homes, but the sources we relied on do not cover it, so we do not mention specific benefits or risks for it. The absence of information here does not mean it is safe or harmful.
The general rule for any herb is consistent: if you take medicines, have a chronic disease, or are pregnant, ask your doctor or pharmacist before regular use, especially for supplements and concentrated extracts.
Do common medicinal herbs interact with medicines?
Yes, they may. The NCCIH sources explain that some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways, and they recommend asking your healthcare provider before using any herbal product if you take any medicine [1] [2]. For a general overview of these interactions, see common examples of drug interactions.
| Herb | What the sources report about interactions | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Chamomile | Interactions have been reported with warfarin (an anticoagulant) and with some medicines processed by the liver. Theoretically, interactions with other medicines such as sedatives are suspected [1] | Tell your doctor or pharmacist before regular use or use in medicinal amounts |
| Chamomile | It may have some estrogen-like effects, and preliminary studies suggest that with oral contraceptives it may reduce their effectiveness [1] | Discuss this with your doctor if you use oral contraceptives |
| Sage | The source does not mention specific interactions, but advises speaking with a healthcare provider if you take any medicine [2] | Do not assume it has no interactions, and ask before using it regularly |
What about conditions sensitive to estrogen?
Because of chamomile's estrogen-like effects, it may worsen any condition affected by exposure to estrogen, such as breast or uterine cancer [1]. If you are in this situation, ask your treating doctor before using it in a medicinal form.
What should I do if I am taking a chronic medicine?
Do not stop your medicine or change its dose because of an herb, and do not add an herb regularly without informing your doctor. Mention the herb by name, the amount, and how many times you use it. You can review safe use of over-the-counter medicines and precautions for their use, since the same principle applies to supplements.
Are herbs safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women and for children?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Information about the safety of chamomile during pregnancy or breastfeeding is limited [1]. Sage may not be safe during pregnancy because of thujone, which may have harmful effects, and information about its safety during breastfeeding is also limited [2]. Therefore, pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before regular use of any herb. They can ask their doctor or at the maternal and child health centers affiliated with the Ministry of Health, which are spread across the governorates.
Children
Chamomile is possibly safe for children by mouth for short-term medicinal use [1], but it has not been proven on its own to help infant colic or diarrhea in children [1]. The appropriate amount for a child depends on weight and should be based on a doctor's prescription or a pharmacist's guidance. Do not give any herb to an infant without consulting the infant's doctor. If the infant cries excessively, vomits or has a fever, a medical examination is needed, not herbal trial and error.
When should you see a doctor, and when should you go to the emergency room?
Herbs are not a substitute for diagnosis and treatment, and delaying an examination because of relying on herbs may hide a disease that needs treatment.
See a doctor if:
- Symptoms (such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, cough, anxiety or insomnia) persist or recur despite using herbs.
- A skin rash, itching, nausea or dizziness appears after using an herb. Stop the herb and consult your doctor. To learn about drug allergies, see drug allergy.
- You take a blood thinner or chronic medicines and wish to add an herb.
- You are pregnant, breastfeeding, or using oral contraceptives and are considering using an herb regularly.
- A cough is accompanied by fever or changing phlegm, as it may need evaluation for infection. Reading how to tell bacterial infections from viral ones may help you.
- Digestive disturbances persist or bowel habits change; see common colonic diseases, their diagnosis and symptoms.
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if:
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing or swallowing, severe dizziness or fainting appears after taking an herb (this may be anaphylaxis [1]).
- Unusual bleeding, extensive bruising, or blood in the urine or stool appears in someone taking blood thinners.
- A child or a person has taken a large amount of a concentrated herbal product and shows worrying symptoms.
How do you find the right doctor or clinic in Jordan?
Start with the doctor who follows your condition or with your pharmacist, especially if you take medicines. If you want someone who uses herbs within their specialty, you can browse herbal medicine doctors in Jordan or narrow your search by governorate, such as herbal medicine in Amman or herbal medicine in Irbid.
What should you check in the profile?
- The specialty and listed qualifications, the governorate and the address.
- Contact or booking methods if the profile provides them.
- The services offered by the clinic and its working hours.
Questions to ask at the appointment
- Is this herb suitable for my condition and my current medicines?
- What do studies honestly say about it, and what are the limits of its benefit?
- What is the appropriate duration of use, and when should I stop?
- Which symptoms require urgent review?
Your doctor may refer you to another specialist when needed and can explain the concept of medical referral and how it works. For advance planning, you can review the cost of a medical consultation in Jordan. ClinicsJo is a directory for searching for and learning about doctors and clinics, and it does not provide a quality assessment of them.
How can you use common medicinal herbs more safely?
If you decide to use common medicinal herbs, here are practical points based on what was mentioned above:
- Consider herbs a possible supplement, not an alternative treatment, since the evidence for their therapeutic benefits is preliminary or limited [1] [2].
- Keep to the usual amounts of tea and food, and do not exceed them without supervision.
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every herb or supplement you use, as shared dialogue helps with well-considered decisions [1].
- Read the ingredients of ready-made products, and remember that herbal products may not undergo prior approval the way medicines do [2]. In Jordan, the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) regulates medicines and their public prices, so ask your pharmacist about any product you do not know.
- Stop the herb and consult your doctor if any allergic or unusual symptoms appear.
- Do not stop a prescribed treatment or change its dose based on an herb.
In short, chamomile or sage tea can be part of your daily habits when consumed in moderation, but medical decisions should be based on medical diagnosis, not on tradition alone.
Frequently asked questions
Is chamomile tea safe to drink daily?
Chamomile is probably safe in the amounts normally found in tea and food. However, regular use in medicinal amounts requires consulting a doctor or pharmacist, especially if you take medicines such as warfarin, have an allergy to related plants such as chrysanthemum, or are pregnant.
Does chamomile interact with blood thinners?
Interactions between chamomile and warfarin, a blood-thinning medicine, have been reported. So if you take a blood thinner, tell your doctor or pharmacist before using chamomile regularly or in medicinal amounts, and do not stop your medicine or change its dose on your own.
Is sage safe during pregnancy?
Sage may not be safe during pregnancy because it contains thujone, which may have harmful effects. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, avoid using it in therapeutic amounts before consulting your doctor. During breastfeeding, information about its safety is also limited, so ask your doctor as well.
Does sage really treat menopause or improve memory?
A few small studies suggest that sage may reduce hot flashes and may improve some memory tests in healthy people, but the evidence is limited and does not allow a firm conclusion. Do not replace a treatment prescribed by your doctor with it, and discuss any wish to use it with your doctor.
Can I give my child or infant chamomile for colic?
It has not been proven that chamomile alone helps infant colic or children's diarrhea; herbal mixtures have been tested instead. Any amount for a child depends on weight and should be based on a doctor's prescription or a pharmacist's guidance. If the infant cries excessively, vomits or has a fever, see a doctor.
Should I tell my doctor that I drink herbs?
Yes. Some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways, and using herbs may change your doctor's treatment decision. Mention the herb's name, amount and duration of use at every visit, and tell your pharmacist as well, especially if you take chronic medicines or are pregnant.
Sources and references
- Chamomile: Usefulness and Safety | NCCIH — NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Accessed: 2026-10-26.
- Sage: Usefulness and Safety | NCCIH — NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Accessed: 2026-10-26.