Evidence supporting the use of: Chamomile
For the health condition: Sleep (restless and disturbed)

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Synopsis

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

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla and Chamaemelum nobile) has a long history of traditional use for promoting relaxation and improving sleep quality, particularly for people experiencing restlessness or disturbed sleep. In recent years, scientific studies have begun to investigate these traditional claims. Several randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews suggest that chamomile extract, when taken as a tea or in supplement form, may modestly improve subjective sleep quality and reduce symptoms of insomnia, especially in populations with mild-to-moderate sleep disturbances.

The primary mechanism proposed involves chamomile's apigenin content, a flavonoid that binds to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain, exerting mild sedative and anxiolytic effects. A 2016 randomized controlled trial in older adults with insomnia found that participants taking chamomile extract reported significantly better sleep quality than those receiving placebo. Other studies in postpartum women and individuals with generalized anxiety disorder have also reported improved sleep parameters with chamomile use.

However, the overall quality of evidence is moderate, with some studies showing only small improvements and others reporting no significant effect. There is a need for larger, more rigorous studies to confirm these findings and to clarify optimal dosing and administration. Nonetheless, chamomile is generally considered safe and well-tolerated for most individuals, making it a reasonable option for those seeking gentle, natural sleep support.

More about chamomile
More about Sleep (restless and disturbed)

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