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Cha6.2

Chamomile Research

Mostly mechanism / observationalHigh safety

9 peer-reviewed studies

What the evidence says

Mostly mechanism / observational

Most Chamomile studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.

Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2009–2024 with a typical study size of 179 participants.

Based on 9 studies · 5 meta-analyses · 3 RCTs · 236 total participants

Confidence

High

By outcome

Anxiety & stressReduced generalized anxiety symptoms, supported by placebo-controlled trials · 2-8 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational7 studies
Sleep & insomniaModest improvement in sleep quality and relaxation before bed · 2-4 weeks
Too few graded studies2 studies
Depression & moodMay ease mild low mood accompanying anxiety · 2-8 weeks
Too few graded studies2 studies
Therapeutic & clinical
Too few graded studies2 studies

Active research area

4 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2024

200920162024

1Meta-Analysis2019

A meta-analysis found chamomile may reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety, though high-quality data are limited.

Hieu TH et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2019)

Reduced anxiety symptoms versus control
Effect promising but trials were small
Favourable safety profile

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2Meta-Analysis2024

A systematic review and meta-analysis found chamomile improved sleep quality.

Kazemi A et al. · Complementary therapies in medicine (2024)

Improved subjective sleep quality
Heterogeneous interventions and populations

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3Meta-AnalysisCited 48×2022

A network meta-analysis of medicinal herbs for anxiety included chamomile among effective options.

Zhang W et al. · Pharmacological research (2022)

Chamomile among herbs associated with reduced anxiety
Indirect comparisons used
Quality of evidence varied

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4RCTn=57 · small study2009

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found oral chamomile extract reduced symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.

Amsterdam JD et al. · Journal of clinical psychopharmacology (2009)

Significant reduction in GAD symptom scores versus placebo
Well tolerated over the trial
Landmark controlled trial for chamomile anxiolysis

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5Meta-AnalysisCited 69×2016

A Cochrane review of dietary supplements for dysmenorrhoea found low-quality evidence for several agents including chamomile.

Pattanittum P et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2016)

Some supplements may reduce menstrual pain
Overall evidence quality low
Larger trials needed

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6Meta-AnalysisCited 117×2022

Clinician-guideline nutraceutical review assessed chamomile among agents for psychiatric symptoms.

Sarris J et al. · The world journal of biological psychiatry : the official journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (2022)

Chamomile reviewed for anxiety indications
Evidence graded as preliminary-to-moderate
Part of broader nutraceutical guidance

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7RCTn=179 · medium study2016

Long-term chamomile treatment was studied for generalized anxiety disorder.

Mao JJ et al. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (2016)

Maintained anxiety symptom improvement over extended use
Relapse-prevention focus
Open-label long-term phase

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8Systematic ReviewCited 131×2018

A systematic review of herbal medicine for depression and anxiety included chamomile with assessment of quality.

Yeung KS et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2018)

Some support for anxiolytic effects
Trial quality was a limiting factor
More rigorous studies recommended

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9RCT2022

Inhalation aromatherapy with lavender and chamomile was studied for anxiety and sleep.

Ebrahimi H et al. · Explore (New York, N.Y.) (2022)

Aromatherapy reduced anxiety and improved sleep measures
Inhalation route, not oral
Small controlled study

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View in Research Library

Chamomile Research

Mostly mechanism / observational

Therapeutic efficacy and safety of chamomile for state anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia, and sleep quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials and quasi-randomized trials.

Effects of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) on sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

Medicinal herbs for the treatment of anxiety: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder.

Dietary supplements for dysmenorrhoea.

Clinician guidelines for the treatment of psychiatric disorders with nutraceuticals and phytoceuticals: The World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) and Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) Taskforce.

Long-term chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized clinical trial.

Herbal medicine for depression and anxiety: A systematic review with assessment of potential psycho-oncologic relevance.

The effects of Lavender and Chamomile essential oil inhalation aromatherapy on depression, anxiety and stress in older community-dwelling people: A randomized controlled trial.