Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla or Chamaemelum nobile) has a long history of traditional use for relaxation and calming effects, which are thought to be mediated through the GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) system in the body. Traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Europe and the Middle East, has employed chamomile preparations as mild sedatives and anxiolytics. The rationale is that certain compounds in chamomile, such as apigenin, may bind to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain, which are part of the GABAergic system, thereby producing calming effects.

However, scientific validation for chamomile’s direct effect on the GABA system is limited. Some in vitro studies suggest that apigenin can bind to GABA-A receptors, but robust clinical evidence in humans is lacking, and most human studies focus on chamomile’s general anxiolytic or sleep-promoting effects rather than direct GABA system modulation. Therefore, while there is a plausible mechanism and a strong traditional basis, the evidence from well-designed clinical trials directly linking chamomile to GABA system support is limited. This supports a moderate evidence rating based primarily on traditional use with some emerging, but not conclusive, scientific support.

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