Evidence supporting the use of: Chamomile (unspecified)
For the health condition: Depression
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Chamomile has a long history of use in traditional medicine for a variety of conditions, including mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression. Historically, both Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile) and Chamaemelum nobile (Roman chamomile) have been used in European, Middle Eastern, and other traditional systems to calm nerves, promote relaxation, and improve mood. The use of chamomile for depression is primarily based on its reputation as a mild sedative and anxiolytic, rather than robust clinical evidence for antidepressant effects.
In terms of scientific research, there are a few small clinical studies and animal experiments suggesting chamomile may have some antidepressant activity, likely due to its flavonoids and other phytochemicals that may influence neurotransmitter systems. However, the evidence base is limited, with most research focusing on anxiety and sleep rather than depression specifically. A handful of pilot studies and reviews (e.g., Amsterdam JD et al., 2012, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine) suggest modest benefit, but methodological limitations and small sample sizes prevent strong conclusions. Thus, while chamomile's use for depression is justified by tradition, scientific validation is limited and evidence quality is low.
Other ingredients used for Depression
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)acetyl l-carnitine
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anchovies
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
basil
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
bifidobacterium longum
black tea
Indian frankincense
bасора
caffeine
cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
Chinese salvia root
choline
citicoline
clove
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
turmeric
curcumin
damiana
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
folate
gardenia
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
green tea
hemp oil
Indian tinospora
inositol
jujube
krill oil
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-carnosine
l-glycine
l-methionine
l-phenylalanine
l-theanine
l-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
lion's mane
lithium orotate
liquid liver fractions
luteolin
maca
mackerel
magnesium
magnolia
marine lipid
matcha
melatonin
moringa
muira puama
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
omega-3 fatty acids
phenolic acids
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
polygala root
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pregnenolone
protein
butyric acid
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhodiola
rose oil
rosemary
saffron
sage
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sardines
sceletium
selenium
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
tongkat ali
almond fruit
valerian root
velvet bean
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
whey protein
zinc
suma
gastrodia
mugwort
alpinia galangal
commiphora
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
peony
lingzhi
lemongrass
kanna
cistanche
dodder
morinda
royal jelly
polyphenols
trace minerals
St. John's Wort
yerba mate
hypothalamus
cocoa
thyroid substance
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Arginine Creatine
Ardisia
Angelica
Apigenin
Albizia
Agmatine
Agarwood
Alpha lactalbumin
Asteracea
Algal protein
Aniracetam
Amor seco
Betony
Baikal Skullcap
Broussonetia
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Biopterin
Butea monosperma
Beef liver
Bacopin
Brahmi
Bacopa
Bee products
bacoside
Baicalin
Black Hellebore
Biogenic amine
Camellia sinensis
Coconut
Caryophyllene
Common Monkey Flower
Crocin
Clary sage
Catalpol
Codonopsis
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Chinese Raisintree
Curcumen
Cymbopogon Martini
Centella asiatica
Chocolate
Creatine
Curcuma
Cowslip
Cannabidiol
Convolvulus prostratus
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
cola nut
Canscora
Cannabichromene
Docosahexaenoic Acid
D-phenylalanine
DHEA
Devil's Club
Dopamine
Egg
Eicosatetraenoic acid
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Estrogen
Folinic Acid
Folic Acid
Flavonoids
Fragrant Rosewood
Fish
Fatty acids
Frankincense
Guanidinoacetic acid
Ginsenosides
Griffonia simplicifolia
Glutamate
Glycine
Gastrodin
jasmine
Little ironweed
Milk Protein
Mimosa
Phenylethylamine (PEA)
Rose
Spikenard
Shellfish
Sandalwood
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
walnut
yohimbine
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Chamomile (unspecified)
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Backache
Bedwetting
Bladder Infection
Bleeding (external)
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Canker Sores
Colds (general)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (children)
Conjunctivitis
Constipation (adults)
Cuts
Depression
Dermatitis
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Ear Infection or Earache
Eczema
Fever
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Headache (general)
Headache (tension)
Indigestion
Inflammation
Insomnia
Irritability
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Jaundice (adults)
Laryngitis
Menopause
Migraine
Nausea and Vomiting
Neurosis