Matricaria chamomilla L. · herb
Evidence tier: moderate
Promotes relaxation, supports sleep, and soothes digestive discomfort
Acts mainly on the digestive tract and, more loosely, on the nervous system. The leading laboratory explanation for the calming effect is that apigenin, its main flavonoid, binds GABA-A receptors, the same broad target family sedative medicines act on. Treat this as a plausible hypothesis, not a demonstration: Europe reviewed the evidence and declined to register chamomile as a sedative at all.
Moderate, and shaky, for subjective sleep quality only. Two independent meta analyses find a real improvement in how well people say they slept (PMID 31006899, SMD -0.73; PMID 39106912, PSQI -1.88), but heterogeneity in the 2024 pooling was 88 percent, sleep efficiency did not improve, and daytime functioning did not improve in any of the three studies that measured it. Anxiety is limited and contested: the best meta analysis found no effect on general anxiety and only a signal in diagnosed GAD, while the 2022 WFSBP and CANMAT international guideline grades chamomile not currently recommended for GAD (PMID 35311615). NCCIH notes the one insomnia study found no benefit. The EMA HMPC monograph (EMA/HMPC/55843/2011) registers five indications, all traditional use only, led by minor gastrointestinal complaints. A mild, pleasant, well tolerated herb, not a strong sleep ingredient.
1.5 to 4 g of dried flower in 150 ml of boiling water, three to four times daily for adults (the EMA registered tea dose). The seed's extract dose of 220 to 1100 mg standardised to 1.2 percent apigenin could not be traced to any named regulator or clinical source and is unverified.
As a tea, drink 30 to 60 minutes before bed or after meals.
Onset: ~7 days
Considered safe at food and typical tea doses. High dose supplementation in pregnancy is not recommended due to potential uterine stimulation. Rare allergic reactions in people sensitive to Asteraceae (ragweed, daisy family).
Pregnancy: caution
Breastfeeding: caution
One of the oldest and most widely used medicinal plants in the world, with documented use dating back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. A cornerstone of European folk medicine for digestive, nervous system, and skin conditions for over 2,000 years.
Active compounds: apigenin, volatile oils, flavonoids, hydroxycoumarins
Remedies using Chamomile · Browse by body system · Check it against what you take
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.