Evidence supporting the use of: Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
For the health condition: PMS (general)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) has a long history of traditional use for alleviating symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as irritability, cramps, and sleep disturbances. In various traditional medicine systems, including European herbal medicine, chamomile has been valued for its calming, antispasmodic, and mild sedative properties. These qualities are thought to help ease menstrual discomfort and emotional symptoms linked to PMS.
Scientific evidence supporting chamomile's effectiveness for PMS is limited. Some small clinical studies suggest chamomile may reduce menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea) due to its anti-inflammatory and muscle-relaxant effects, but studies specifically addressing PMS as a broader syndrome are scarce. The available research has generally focused on individual symptoms that overlap with PMS, such as anxiety or sleep problems, rather than PMS itself.
Overall, chamomile's use for PMS is primarily justified by traditional practice rather than robust scientific validation. While preliminary findings on related symptoms are promising, well-designed clinical trials are needed to establish its efficacy for PMS as a whole.
More about Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
More about PMS (general)
Other ingredients used for PMS (general)
ashwagandhabeet
black cohosh
borage oil
bupleurum falcatum
calcium
chamomile
chaste tree
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dong quai root
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
evening primrose oil
fennel
flaxseed
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
green tea
inositol
jujube
kudzu
licorice root
lignans
liquid liver fractions
maca
magnesium
motherwort
pollen
quail egg
relora® (proprietary)
sage
soybean
valerian root
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
watermelon
wild yam
zinc
tangerine
bee pollen
lingusticum wallichii
royal jelly
Equol (proprietary)
peach
27-deoxyactein
Alchemilla
Aerva lanata
Agrimonia pilosa
Acetylsalicylic acid
Agnuside
Ashoka
Borage
banana
Cohosh
Calendula
Clary sage
Cnidium
Cyathula
Chocolate
Dong Quai
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Evening Primrose Oil
Estrogen
Lotus
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
Other health conditions supported by Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Canker Sores
Colds (general)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
Colic (children)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Cuts
Depression
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dysmenorrhea
Dyspepsia
Ear Infection or Earache
Eczema
Emotional Sensitivity
Fever
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Headache (tension)
Indigestion
Inflammation
Insomnia
Itching
Menopause
Migraine
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
PMS (general)
Rashes and Hives
Restless Dreams
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Stress