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This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 28 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Chamomile is an ancient medicinal herb used for its anti-inflammatory, sedative, and antioxidant properties [PMID:36297396, PMID:21132119].
Background
Chamomile is a member of the Asteraceae/Compositae family, primarily represented by two varieties: German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L. or Matricaria recutita) and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile L. or Anthemis nobilis) [PMID:36297396, PMID:21132119, PMID:31643492].
Traditional uses
Traditionally used as a sedative, mild analgesic, sleep medication, and for gastrointestinal conditions [PMID:31643492]. It has been used for hay fever, inflammation, muscle spasms, menstrual disorders, insomnia, ulcers, wounds, rheumatic pain, and hemorrhoids [PMID:21132119].
Active compounds
Key components include flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, patuletin), terpenoids (alpha-bisabolol, farnesene), sesquiterpenelactones (chamazulene, matricin), and coumarins [PMID:36297396, PMID:31643492, PMID:16628544].
Mechanism of action
Chamomile exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities [PMID:36297396, PMID:16628544]. In animal models, chamazulene has shown interactions with stress-related targets including IFN-γ, IL-6, caspase-3, BDNF, and GLUT-1 [PMID:41351710].
Clinical evidence
Evidence AGeneralized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Significant improvement in GAD symptoms was observed after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment [PMID:31006899]; one trial showed a significantly greater reduction in HAM-A scores compared to placebo [PMID:19593179].
Evidence BDiabetic Neuropathy
Topical chamomile oil was evaluated as a therapeutic intervention to improve neuropathy indices [PMID:40440968].
Evidence BDepression, Anxiety, and Stress (Older Adults)
Inhalation aromatherapy using lavender and chamomile essential oils resulted in statistically significant improvement [PMID:33454232].
Evidence CPremenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Chamomile is used for PMS relief due to its anti-inflammatory effects [PMID:31970017].
Evidence AInsomnia and Sleep Quality
A meta-analysis of one RCT found no significant change in insomnia severity index [PMID:31006899].
Evidence DSARS-CoV-2
Safety & adverse effects
Chamomile has not been implicated in causing clinically apparent liver injury or serum enzyme elevations [PMID:31643492]. Some species in the Compositae family are suspected of causing allergic contact dermatitis, though sensitization occurs rarely with German chamomile [PMID:12492516]. Roman chamomile ingredients used in cosmetics are generally not irritating or sensitizing [PMID:28553737].
Evidence summary
Evidence is strongest (Level A) for the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, while evidence for insomnia is limited and non-significant. Many other claims (anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial) are supported by reviews or animal models (Level C/D) rather than large-scale human trials.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 36297396 (2022) — A Comprehensive Study of Therapeutic Applications of Chamomile. · Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
2.PMID: 31643492 (2012) — Chamomile: A Review of Its Traditional Uses, Chemical Constituents, Pharmacological Activities and Quality Control Studies. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3.PMID: 16628544 (2006) — A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of chamomile tea (Matricaria recutita L.). · Phytotherapy research : PTR
4.PMID: 21132119 (2010) — Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future. · Molecular medicine reports
5.PMID: 33454232 (2022) — The effects of Lavender and Chamomile essential oil inhalation aromatherapy on depression, anxiety and stress in older community-dwelling people: A randomized controlled trial.
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
In vitro results show a significant inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 by chamomile decoction [PMID:40230940].
· Explore (New York, N.Y.)
6.PMID: 27912875 (2016) — Long-term chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized clinical trial. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
7.PMID: 31006899 (2019) — 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. · Phytotherapy research : PTR
8.PMID: 19593179 (2009) — A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. · Journal of clinical psychopharmacology
9.PMID: 35926778 (2022) — Anxiolytic effect of Anthemis nobilis L. (roman chamomile) and Citrus reticulata Blanco (tangerine) essential oils using the light-dark test in zebrafish (Danio rerio). · Journal of ethnopharmacology
10.PMID: 40230940 (2024) — Chamomile in combating SARS-Cov-2. · Bioinformation
11.PMID: 40374153 (2025) — Chamomile: A systematic review of adverse events. · Complementary therapies in medicine
13.PMID: 41599305 (2026) — Unlocking the Secrets of Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis L.) Essential Oil: Structural Elucidation and Acute Toxicity of New Esters. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
14.PMID: 40440968 (2025) — Topical chamomile oil as a novel therapeutic intervention for diabetic neuropathy: A randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial. · Explore (New York, N.Y.)
15.PMID: 28553737 (2017) — Safety Assessment of Anthemis nobilis-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics. · International journal of toxicology
16.PMID: 40665590 (2025) — Anti-inflammatory effect of chamomile from randomized clinical trials: a systematic review and meta-analyses. · Pharmaceutical biology
17.PMID: 38240454 (2024) — Evaluation of the use of chamomile in isolation and in association with laser photobiomodulation in the healing of rats oral mucosa. · Photochemistry and photobiology
18.PMID: 37052390 (2023) — Effect of Chamomile on the Complications of Cancer: A Systematic Review. · Integrative cancer therapies
19.PMID: 41351710 (2025) — Chamomile Modulates Glucose Metabolism and Neuro-inflammation to Alleviate Stress-Induced Depression in Mice. · Molecular neurobiology
20.PMID: 34602925 (2021) — Chamomile as a potential remedy for obesity and metabolic syndrome. · EXCLI journal
21.PMID: 39836709 (2025) — Efficacy and safety of Matricaria chamomilla intervention in managing menopausal symptoms: a triple-blind clinical trial. · Menopause (New York, N.Y.)
22.PMID: 31970017 (2019) — Efficacy of Chamomile in the Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome: A Systematic Review. · Journal of pharmacopuncture
23.PMID: 41190721 (2025) — Chemometrically-supported quality assessment of chamomile tea. · Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)
24.PMID: 21156115 (2010) — [Evidence of dermatological effects of chamomile]. · Ugeskrift for laeger
25.PMID: 12492516 (2002) — Contact sensitization from Compositae-containing herbal remedies and cosmetics. · Contact dermatitis