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Botanical & herbal supplements

Chamomile

German chamomile flower (Matricaria chamomilla; syn. Matricaria recutita)

Chamomile usually refers to German chamomile flower, used as tea or extract; Roman chamomile is a related but different species. Human studies suggest small, inconsistent improvements in subjective sleep quality and preliminary benefits for GAD symptoms with specific products used for weeks, but a primary-insomnia trial was negative and there is no direct cognitive benefit. Overall risk is minimal for most healthy adults using ordinary oral amounts, with important exceptions for ragweed-family allergy, warfarin or complex prescriptions, concentrated products, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.

CalmRelaxationSleep SupportWhole HerbStandardized ExtractWater ExtractFood Derived
Updated July 2026/6 min read/13 citations
Prepared by the NootropicsIndex editorial team.Method: prioritize cited human research and official safety or regulatory sources; compare retailer-listed prices without endorsing products.Affiliate disclosure
01

What is it?

German chamomile flower is the evidence focus

1

This page centers on German chamomile flower, Matricaria chamomilla (also called Matricaria or Chamomilla recutita), used as tea or oral extract. Roman chamomile, Chamaemelum nobile, is a related species found on some labels but should not inherit German chamomile evidence.

02

Names, aliases and forms

Latin NamesMatricaria chamomilla; Matricaria recutita; Chamomilla recutita; Chamaemelum nobile
Common NamesGerman chamomile; Roman chamomile
Plant Partflower
Active Constituentapigenin
03

Mechanisms of action

Apigenin is a marker, not a complete explanation

9

Chamomile contains apigenin and other constituents. Apigenin bound a benzodiazepine site in vitro, but the same study found complex GABA effects and did not attribute its animal locomotor effect to that binding site. This does not mean chamomile tea acts like a benzodiazepine.

04

Potential effects and evidence map

Human evidence is limited and preparation-specific. A 2024 review of 10 studies (772 participants) found a modest improvement in pooled subjective PSQI scores, but heterogeneity was high and sleep duration, sleep efficiency, and daytime functioning did not improve. A 28-day randomized primary-insomnia pilot found no significant sleep-diary benefit, while small trials in older adults and postpartum women reported selected subjective improvements. Standardized-extract GAD trials suggest possible symptom benefit over 8 weeks, but the evidence is preliminary, disease-specific, and not proof of immediate relaxation or cognitive enhancement.

Effect domainMagnitudeGrade
Sleep quality4
CumulativeConfidence: Medium

Chamomile may modestly improve subjective sleep-quality scores in some populations, but results are heterogeneous and do not show longer sleep, better sleep efficiency, or dependable benefit for primary insomnia.

Note Effects depend on population, preparation, and outcome; do not present as an insomnia treatment.

2/5
C
Calm / relaxation6
CumulativeConfidence: Medium

Specific standardized German chamomile extracts have preliminary human evidence for GAD symptoms over several weeks; this does not establish immediate relaxation in healthy users.

Note Disease-specific extract trials are not equivalent to ordinary tea or an acute calming protocol.

2/5
C
Stress resilience5
CumulativeConfidence: Low

Any stress-resilience benefit is indirect and inferred from limited GAD and subjective sleep studies.

Note No healthy-user stress-performance protocol is established.

1/5
D
Mood / wellbeing1
CumulativeConfidence: Low

Mood findings are exploratory subgroup results within GAD research, not evidence for a standalone antidepressant or wellbeing effect.

Note Do not position chamomile as depression treatment.

0/5
D
Focus / attention4
UnknownConfidence: Low

Chamomile has no controlled human evidence for improving focus, memory, wakefulness, or productivity.

Note Feeling calmer or better rested is not direct cognitive enhancement.

0/5
E
05

Typical dosages and timing

Dose context10

Sleep studies used specific preparations such as 200 mg or 270 mg extract twice daily for 28 days. GAD trials used standardized extracts up to 1,100 or 1,500 mg/day for weeks under research supervision. Tea, essential oil, gummies, Roman chamomile, and multi-ingredient blends are not dose-equivalent.

06

Timing & effect horizon

Effect horizonCumulative
Cumulative
Study window11Cumulative
2 weeks (tea trial)
Study window10Cumulative
28 days (sleep trials)
Study window6Cumulative
8 weeks (GAD RCT)
Follow-up7Cumulative
26 weeks (continuation)
Trials measured weeks, not a validated acute duration4

Relevant oral studies assessed tea over 2 weeks, sleep extracts over 28 days, and standardized GAD extracts over 8 weeks or longer. Human evidence does not establish a reliable same-day onset, peak, effect duration, or half-life for chamomile tea or extracts.

07

Safety, side effects and risk profile

Sedation / impairment12
Confidence: Medium

Drowsiness was among the most common reported adverse events in a 2025 safety review, but events were generally self-limiting and non-serious.

Note First-use caution is reasonable before driving; stronger impairment is more relevant to multi-ingredient sedating products.

1/5
B
Interaction risk1
Confidence: Low

NCCIH reports cases involving warfarin and some liver-metabolized drugs; additive effects with sedatives are a theoretical concern.

Note People using warfarin, cyclosporine, or other prescriptions should have a pharmacist review the exact product.

2/5
C
Hormonal caution1
Confidence: Low

Preliminary evidence suggests possible estrogen-like activity, but the clinical importance is uncertain.

Note Concentrated extract use deserves review with hormone-sensitive conditions or hormonal therapies.

1/5
D
Pregnancy / lactation caution1
Confidence: Low

Controlled safety evidence during pregnancy and breastfeeding is insufficient, especially for concentrated extracts and essential oils.

Note Do not treat ordinary tea exposure, concentrated extracts, and essential oil as equivalent.

2/5
D
GI discomfort12
Confidence: Medium

Trial adverse events were uncommon and mainly mild GI symptoms or drowsiness; rare case reports describe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis.

Note Ragweed, chrysanthemum, marigold, or daisy allergy is the most important practical screen.

1/5
B
Evidence uncertainty4
Confidence: Medium

German chamomile tea, standardized extract, Roman chamomile, essential oil, topical products, and blends are not interchangeable.

Note Species, flower part, extraction, dose, standardization, and route matter.

1/5
B
Allergy12

Chamomile is generally well tolerated, but rare case reports describe severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. Risk is higher in people allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, or related Asteraceae plants.

Combination context1

NCCIH reports cases involving warfarin and some drugs metabolized by the liver, while concerns with sedatives are theoretical. Anyone using anxiety medicines or other prescriptions should ask a pharmacist to review the exact species, preparation, dose, and combination.

Pregnancy / lactation1

Little controlled safety information exists for pregnancy or breastfeeding. Occasional tea-like food exposure should not be assumed equivalent to concentrated oral extracts, essential oil, or high-dose multi-ingredient products.

08

Legal and regulatory status

U.S. and EU frameworks do not establish sleep approval13

In the United States, many oral chamomile products are marketed as teas, foods, or dietary supplements; dietary supplements are not FDA-approved before sale. EMA has an EU herbal monograph for Matricaria flower covering specified traditional-use areas such as gastrointestinal, mouth/throat, skin, and cold-related uses, not sleep, anxiety, or cognition. Product authorization and permitted claims vary by country and format.

09

Practical buying and quality notes

  • Prefer labels that identify German chamomile as Matricaria chamomilla or M. recutita, specify flower as the plant part, state extract ratio or tea amount, and provide contaminant testing. Do not assume Roman chamomile or essential oil matches oral German chamomile trials.1
  • Chamomile is often combined with melatonin, valerian, lemon balm, passionflower, antihistamines, or alcohol-containing tinctures. The blend can have a different drowsiness and compatibility profile from chamomile alone.12
10

FAQ

Is chamomile a nootropic?

5

Not in the direct cognitive-enhancement sense. It is better described as a traditional calming botanical with limited, mixed human evidence for subjective sleep quality and GAD symptoms.

What chamomile dose is studied?

10

There is no single studied dose that applies across products. Trials used different teas and standardized extracts, including 200 mg or 270 mg twice daily in 28-day sleep studies and higher standardized-extract regimens in GAD research.

Can chamomile replace insomnia or anxiety care?

10

No. The primary-insomnia pilot was negative, and GAD findings are preliminary and product-specific. Persistent sleep or anxiety symptoms deserve evidence-based clinical assessment.

Who should be especially careful?

1

People with ragweed-family allergy, a history of severe allergic reactions, warfarin use, complex prescriptions, pregnancy, or breastfeeding should review concentrated oral use first.

11

References

  1. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Chamomile: Usefulness and Safety. Last updated November 2024. Accessed July 14, 2026.
  2. NCBI Taxonomy. Matricaria chamomilla, Taxonomy ID 98504. Accessed 2026-06-30.
  3. NCBI Taxonomy. Chamaemelum nobile, Taxonomy ID 99037. Accessed 2026-06-30.
  4. Kazemi A, et al. Effects of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) on sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2024;84:103071.
  5. 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. Phytotherapy Research. 2019;33(6):1604-1615.
  6. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 2009;29(4):378-382.
  7. Mao JJ, et al. Long-term chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized clinical trial. Phytomedicine. 2016;23(14):1735-1742.
  8. The effects of chamomile extract on sleep quality among elderly people: A clinical trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2017;35:109-114.
  9. Avallone R, et al. Pharmacological profile of apigenin, a flavonoid isolated from Matricaria chamomilla. Biochemical Pharmacology. 2000;59(11):1387-1394.
  10. Zick SM, et al. Preliminary examination of the efficacy and safety of a standardized chamomile extract for chronic primary insomnia: a randomized placebo-controlled pilot study. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011;11:78.
  11. Chang SM, Chen CH. Effects of an intervention with drinking chamomile tea on sleep quality and depression in sleep disturbed postnatal women: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 2016;72(2):306-315.
  12. Hashempur MH, et al. Chamomile: A systematic review of adverse events. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2025;91:103192.
  13. European Medicines Agency. European Union herbal monograph on Matricaria recutita L., flos (EMA/HMPC/55843/2011). First published April 5, 2016.
Note

This page is informational and summarizes available evidence. It is not medical advice, a recommendation, or a substitute for guidance from a qualified clinician.