Evidence supporting the use of: Chamomile
For the body system: Parasympathetic Nervous System

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Synopsis

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

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla or Chamaemelum nobile) has a long tradition of use as a calming herb, particularly in European, Middle Eastern, and some Asian herbal medicine systems. Its traditional applications include easing anxiety, promoting sleep, and soothing digestive disturbances, all of which are functions closely related to the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). The PNS is responsible for "rest and digest" activities in the body, counterbalancing the "fight or flight" response of the sympathetic nervous system.

Scientific research supports some of these traditional uses. Preclinical studies indicate that chamomile extracts—and particularly its active components such as apigenin—interact with benzodiazepine receptors in the brain, producing mild sedative and anxiolytic effects. Human clinical trials, although limited, have shown that chamomile may reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder and improve sleep quality. Since calming the nervous system and improving sleep are linked to PNS activation, chamomile's effects may be understood as supportive of parasympathetic function.

However, while chamomile's ability to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety is reasonably well documented, direct research specifically demonstrating enhancement or activation of the PNS is sparse. Most evidence is indirect, based on outcomes consistent with PNS activity. Therefore, while there is scientific support for chamomile's calming effects, the evidence directly connecting it to the PNS is moderate rather than strong.

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