Evidence supporting the use of: Chamomile
For the health condition: Stress

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla and Chamaemelum nobile) has a long history of use as a calming herb in traditional medicine systems, such as European folk medicine and Ayurveda. Traditionally, chamomile tea and extracts have been used to alleviate symptoms of stress, promote relaxation, and aid sleep. The calming effects are attributed primarily to compounds like apigenin, a flavonoid that binds to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain, which may induce mild sedative effects.

While there is robust traditional usage, scientific studies investigating chamomile’s efficacy specifically for stress are limited. Most clinical research focuses on chamomile’s effects on anxiety and insomnia rather than stress per se. Some small randomized controlled trials suggest that chamomile extracts may reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which can overlap with stress. However, these studies often have small sample sizes or methodological limitations, and direct evidence for stress reduction is less conclusive.

Overall, chamomile’s use for stress management is primarily justified by tradition, with a moderate evidence rating due to its well-established historical use and some supportive, albeit indirect, scientific findings. Chamomile is generally regarded as safe, but individuals with allergies to plants in the Asteraceae family should exercise caution. More rigorous clinical trials are needed to directly establish chamomile’s efficacy for stress.

More about chamomile
More about Stress

Other ingredients used for Stress

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
7-Keto-DHEA
acetyl l-carnitine
alpha-pinene
arjun tree
ashwagandha
asparagus
astragalus
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bergamot
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
sesame
black tea
bonito peptide
bupleurum falcatum
California poppy
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
chamomile
cordyceps
curcumin
damiana
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
dong quai root
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fish protein
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gardenia
gotu kola
green tea
guayusa
heartwood
hibiscus
hops
jujube
kava root
kudzu
l-ornithine
l-taurine
l-theanine
l-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactium casein decapeptide
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus helveticus
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lavender
lentinula edodes mycelia
lion's mane
liquid liver fractions
maca
magnesium
magnolia
matcha
melatonin
mint
motherwort
muira puama
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
oat
passionflower
peppermint oil
perilla
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
pine bark
polygala root
pregnenolone
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quail egg
relora® (proprietary)
rhodiola
rose oil
saffron
sceletium
black ginger
skullcap
spearmint leaf
spinach
valerian root
velvet bean
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
mulberry
whole adrenal glandular
zinc
sarsaparilla
suma
jiaogulan
catnip
cardamom
anise
fumaria parviflora
bee pollen
lingzhi
kanna
silk tree
oriental arborvitae
anemarrhena asphodeloides
St. John's Wort
yerba mate
noni
wood betony
biota seed
goji berry
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ashitaba
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Aralia
Arjuna
akebia
Antler
Agastache
Agrimony
Apigenin
Antrodia camphorata
Arginine aspartate
Albizia
Anserina
Agmatine
Agarwood
Alpha lactalbumin
Algal protein
Betony
Baikal Skullcap
Black spruce
Baccosides
Bacopin
Baicalein
Basidiomycota
Banyan
Brahmi
Bacopa
Buddha's Hand
Borage
banana
Bifidobacteria
Bupleurum
bacoside
Baicalin
Bird's nest
Centella triterpenes
Common Monkey Flower
Clary sage
Chinese Mountain Ant
Codonopsis
Coriander
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Chinese Fleeceflower
Chuchuhuasi
Cymbopogon Martini
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
Coca
Chocolate
Capitate Valerian
Corktree
Catuaba
C-Phycocyanin
cypress
Cowslip
Calamus
Cherimoya
Convolvulus prostratus
Corydalis
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
Celastrus
Canscora
Dismutase
Dodeca-2E, 4E-Dienoic Acid Isobutylamide
Dibenzo-alpha pyrones
Devil's Club
Date
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
Eplotab
Erythrina
Emblicanin
Goldthread
Glycine
jasmine
Lotus
Mistletoe
Mimosa
Orchid
Poppy
Pistachio
Rose
Spikenard
yohimbine

Other health conditions supported by chamomile

Abdominal Pain
Abrasions
Abscesses
Abuse and Trauma
Acid Indigestion
Acne
Addictions (general remedies for)
Adrenal Fatigue
Afterbirth Pain
Age Spots
Allergies (respiratory)
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Antibiotics (side effects of)
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Anger (excessive)
Bedwetting
Belching
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Blisters
Bloodshot Eyes
Boils
Bruises (healing)
Bulimia
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
Colic (children)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cuts
Depression
Dermatitis
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dysmenorrhea
Dyspepsia
Ear Infection or Earache
Eczema
Emotional Sensitivity
Enteritis
Epilepsy
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Fever
Fungal Infections
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Halitosis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Hemorrhoids
Hiatal Hernia
Hiccups
Hysteria
Indigestion
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Insomnia
Irritability
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Itching Ears
Labor and Delivery
Laryngitis
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Lesions
Lupus
Measles
Morning Sickness
Nausea and Vomiting
Nose Bleeds
Perspiration (excessive)
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
PMS Type P
Poison Ivy or Oak
Post Partum Depression
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Rashes and Hives
Restless Dreams
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic
Rosacea
Scratches and Abrasions
Seizures
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Sore Throat
Strep Throat
Stress
Sunburn
Sweat Baths (herbs for)
Teething
Tension
Tickle in Throat
TMJ
Tonsillitis