Chamomile

Chamomile may be small in stature but it is has a huge presence in most herbalist's dispensaries. This familiar plant, with an unmistakable scent and flavour, has a gentle, yet powerful, nature which means it works superbly for both adults and children alike. Well known for its soothing effects, and ability to help people relax and unwind after a long day, chamomile quietens the mind and promotes calm with its nervine sedative qualities. i

As well as being a remarkable relaxant for the nervous system chamomile is also a carminative for the digestion so it shines for digestive problems due to anxiety. It is a mild relaxing nervine with antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and bitter activity. In the digestive tract chamomile relieves painful digestive spasms and inflammatory digestive complaints such as Crohn’s disease, colitis, irritable bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome. A 2024 systematic review of clinical trials concluded that oral consumption of chamomile was effective in reducing anxiety in most of the available trials. The researchers said this effect is not limited to diagnosed patients with anxiety disorders and can help relieve anxiety symptoms in different groups for example, the anxiety that women experience during their menstrual cycle, postmenopausal women who show the anxiety symptoms, people suffering from insomnia and anxiety, and patients in the recovery phase of their psychological disorder. ii

There is some evidence to suggest that chamomile may be helpful in managing hyperactive traits of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). A small study found that children with ADHD who received chamomile extract for four weeks had improvements in hyperactivity and “conduct problems”, compared to a control group. However, the study was small and more research is needed to confirm these findings. iii

References

i Popham S. Chamomile: Beyond the Teabag. The School of Evolutionary

Herbalism. c2014-2024 Available from

https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/2022/08/24/chamomile-beyond-the-

teabag/

ii Saadatmand S, Zohroudi F, Tangestani H. The Effect of Oral Chamomile on

Anxiety: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials. Clin Nutr Res. 2024 Apr

23;13(2):139-147. doi: 10.7762/cnr.2024.13.2.139. PMID: 38784853; PMCID:

PMC11109927.

iii Niederhofer H. Observational study: Matricaria chamomilla may improve some

symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Phytomedicine. 2009

Apr;16(4):284-6. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2008.10.006. Epub 2008 Dec 20. PMID:

19097772.