Most of us turn to chamomile (there are several varieties German or Hungarian, Roman or English) for a delicious apple-like beverage that relaxes the mind and body. The herb has a long history of use as a minor tranquilizer that calms frayed nerves. But two new studies show that chamomile is more than a simple soothing remedy.
Recently, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania conducted the largest trial to date to confirm the herb's anti-anxiety action. In the study, they recruited 151 people, average age of 46, who had consulted Penn physicians for treatment of moderate to severe anxiety. A pre-treatment symptoms survey documented their distress. Then they took either a placebo or chamomile (1,500 mg per day dried flower extract). Almost immediately, 20% reported less distress. After eight weeks, 58% showed significant improvement, and only 20% experienced no benefit. Side effects were minor and rare, the most common being fatigue (7% of participants). This study is significant because of the severity of the participants' anxiety problems.
Previous research has focused on people with mild to moderate symptoms. In this study, the participants experienced more severe anxiety, and chamomile still worked. The researchers concluded that the chamomile dosage they provided, 1,500 mg per day, was therapeutically equivalent, roughly, to standard doses of Valium.
As part of their evening ritual, my parents drink a cup of chamomile tea before bed to support restful sleep. I’ve embraced the same habit, and over time, I've come to appreciate not only chamomile’s medicinal effects, but also the quiet magic of the ritual itself. There’s something deeply calming about participating in a tradition that has soothed European families for centuries.
