GradedHealth

Chamomile

Last reviewed October 2026 · Based on 12 studies

Bottom line

Chamomile extract reduced generalised anxiety more than placebo in small trials, and sleep quality improved modestly in meta-analyses. Evidence is limited and based on small studies. Chamomile can add to bleeding risk with warfarin.

What it helps with

  • Eases generalised anxiety — Benefit, evidence grade C (Limited). Two small placebo-controlled trials and a meta-analysis; downgraded for small trials and inconsistency across anxiety outcomes.
  • Does not clearly ease state anxiety — No effect, evidence grade C (Limited). Meta-analysis of three RCTs with a non-significant pooled result; downgraded for small number of trials and imprecision.
  • Helps you sleep better — Benefit, evidence grade C (Limited). Two meta-analyses of small trials with high heterogeneity (I2 88% for PSQI); downgraded for inconsistency and small trials.
  • Helps with insomnia — Mixed results, evidence grade C (Limited). Chamomile oil trial positive against normal routine; one trial no change and a 2015 herbal review found no significant difference across herbs; downgraded for inconsistency and small trials.
  • Eases low mood — Benefit, evidence grade C (Limited). Exploratory secondary analysis of one 57-person trial; downgraded for small size and post hoc design.
  • Can add to bleeding risk with warfarin — Harm, evidence grade C (Limited). Systematic review of case reports and interaction studies; downgraded for risk of bias and reliance on case-level reports.

What it is

Chamomile is a daisy-family herb. Tea and standardised extracts are both used, and trials mainly tested extracts [1].

How it might work

A narrative review lists chamomile compounds, such as flavonoids, with antidepressant and other activities [2]. How this works in people is not established.

What the research says

In a placebo-controlled trial of 57 adults with generalised anxiety, chamomile extract reduced anxiety more than placebo over eight weeks [3]. A meta-analysis found a significant improvement in generalised anxiety at two and four weeks, but no clear effect on state anxiety [4]. A 2024 meta-analysis found a modest improvement in sleep quality [5].

Doses used in studies

Anxiety trials used 500 mg of standardised extract three times a day for up to eight weeks [6]. The long-term trial continued this for 26 weeks [1]. Oil inhalation trials used 10 minutes a day for 15 days [7].

Safety and interactions

Side effects were reported by 11.7% of people in an open-label trial, and none were serious [6]. Chamomile tea is linked to a higher bleeding risk with warfarin [8]. Sensitisation is rare but possible in people allergic to daisies [9]. No upper-limit, pregnancy or breastfeeding data were found in the studies read.

Caveats and open questions

Most trials are small, and some are open-label without a control group [6]. A 2015 review of herbal insomnia trials, including chamomile, found no statistically significant difference from placebo across the herbs as a group [10]. Larger placebo-controlled trials are needed [1].

References

  1. Long-term chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized clinical trial.. Phytomedicine, 2016.
  2. Chamomile: A Review of Its Traditional Uses, Chemical Constituents, Pharmacological Activities and Quality Control Studies.. Molecules, 2022.
  3. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder.. J Clin Psychopharmacol, 2009.
  4. Therapeutic efficacy and safety of chamomile for state anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia, and sleep quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials and quasi-randomized trials.. Phytother Res, 2019.
  5. Effects of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) on sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.. Complement Ther Med, 2024.
  6. Short-term open-label chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) therapy of moderate to severe generalized anxiety disorder.. Phytomedicine, 2016.
  7. Effects of chamomile oil inhalation on sleep quality in young adults with insomnia: A randomized controlled trial.. Int J Psychiatry Med, 2025.
  8. Warfarin and food, herbal or dietary supplement interactions: A systematic review.. Br J Clin Pharmacol, 2021.
  9. Contact sensitization from Compositae-containing herbal remedies and cosmetics.. Contact Dermatitis, 2002.
  10. Herbal medicine for insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.. Sleep Med Rev, 2015.