Chamomile
Summary
Chamomile extract has been tested for generalised anxiety. An 8-week trial in 57 people found greater symptom reduction than placebo, and a long-term trial kept symptoms lower but did not significantly reduce relapse. Pooled sleep studies report better sleep-quality scores. Allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, are possible with daisy-family allergies.
Key facts
- Greater Hamilton Anxiety score reduction than placebo in an 8-week trial of 57 people[2]
- Continuing 1,500 mg/day kept symptoms lower over 26 weeks; relapse was not significantly reduced[3]
- Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores improved in pooled studies; sleep duration and daytime function did not[4]
- Interactions with warfarin and some liver-metabolised drugs have been reported[1]
- 3 graded human outcomes on this page
- October 11, 2026
How it works
ProposedThe trial extract was standardised to apigenin, a chamomile flavonoid that binds benzodiazepine sites linked to GABA-A receptors in laboratory studies; its role in people is unproven.[2]
What the human research says
Human trials only, one row per outcome. The form column shows what each trial actually tested. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.
At a glance: strongest evidence per outcome
| Outcome | Grade | Effect | Strongest evidence | Rows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sleep | Grade C | Improved | Systematic review of 10 trials · n = 772 · 2024 | 1 row |
| Anxiety | Grade C | Improved | RCT · n = 57 · 2009 | 2 rows |
Every graded row
| Outcome | Effect | Grade | Best evidence | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sleep quality | Improved | Grade C | Systematic review · n = 772 · 2024 Healthy and diseased adults in 10 studies (PSQI pooled from 5) Form: Chamomile extract or tea · Dose: Varied across trials · Duration: Varied across trials Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index improved by 1.88 points; sleep duration, efficiency and daytime functioning did not improve. | 39106912 (opens PubMed)Source [4] |
| Generalised anxiety disorder symptoms | Improved | Grade C | RCT · n = 57 · 2009 Outpatients with mild to moderate generalised anxiety disorder Form: Pharmaceutical-grade German chamomile extract, 220 mg capsules · Dose: 220–1,100 mg/day (1–5 capsules, titrated) · Duration: 8 weeks Total Hamilton Anxiety score fell more than with placebo (p=0.047); secondary measures moved the same way; adverse events were similar. | 19593179 (opens PubMed)Source [2] |
| Relapse of generalised anxiety disorder | Mixed | Grade D | RCT · n = 93 · 2016 Responders after 12 weeks of open-label chamomile in moderate to severe generalised anxiety disorder (179 enrolled) Form: Pharmaceutical-grade chamomile extract · Dose: 500 mg three times daily (1,500 mg/day) · Duration: 12-week open-label phase, then 26 weeks randomised Relapse was 15.2% with continued chamomile vs 25.5% after switching to placebo (HR 0.52, not significant); anxiety symptoms stayed significantly lower with chamomile. | 27912875 (opens PubMed)Source [3] |
Forms
| Form | Elemental % | Absorption (human data) | GI tolerance | Studied for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standardised chamomile extract capsules | Varies | No head-to-head human absorption data in the sources cited here. | Side effects were uncommon and similar to placebo in the anxiety trials.[2][3] | Anxiety trials |
| Chamomile tea | Varies | No head-to-head human absorption data in the sources cited here. | Likely safe in food amounts; allergic reactions can occur.[1] | Some sleep studies |
Studied doses
Doses studied in human trials ranged from 220 mg/day, titrated up to 1,100 mg/day over 8 weeks, to 500 mg three times daily (1,500 mg/day) for a 12-week open-label phase followed by 26 randomised weeks.[2][3]
Interactions
Published interactions only: each row cites a source. No row means none was found in our sources, not that a combination is safe.
Medicines
- Warfarin and drugs metabolised by the liverNIH fact sheetNCCIH reports interactions with warfarin and some liver-metabolised drugs, and theoretical interactions with sedatives.[1]
Who should be careful
- Daisy-family allergies
- Allergic reactions, including severe hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis, are more likely with allergies to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds or daisies.[1]
- People on warfarin or sedatives
- Reported or theoretical interactions; check with the prescriber.[1]
Talk to your pharmacist or clinician before starting a supplement, especially if you take prescription medicines.
Frequently asked questions
Does chamomile help anxiety?
One 8-week trial in mild to moderate generalised anxiety found a modest benefit over placebo; a long-term trial kept symptoms lower but did not significantly cut relapse.[2][3]
Does chamomile help sleep?
Pooled studies found better sleep-quality scores but no longer sleep or better daytime function.[4]
What dose was studied?
Extract capsules from 220 mg up to 1,500 mg a day; tea strengths were not standardised.[2][3]
Who should avoid chamomile?
People allergic to ragweed or other daisy-family plants, and anyone on warfarin without checking first.[1]
Sources
- [1]Chamomile. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), 2024. fact-sheet
- [2]A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder.. J Clin Psychopharmacol, 2009. RCT
- [3]Long-term chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized clinical trial.. Phytomedicine, 2016. RCT
- [4]Effects of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) on sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.. Complement Ther Med, 2024. systematic-review
What changed
- First draft. Every PMID checked against NCBI E-utilities (title, journal and year taken from the PubMed record) and each evidence row written from its PubMed abstract; self-reviewed in a separate adversarial pass.