Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesSide EffectsPrecautionsDosageToxicityInteractionsHow to StoreSimilar SupplementsSources & What to Look For
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Side Effects
Precautions
Dosage
Toxicity
Interactions
How to Store
Similar Supplements
Sources & What to Look For
German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is an herbal “cure-all” that’s been used for thousands of years.Today, chamomile is a popular supplement for irritated skin,anxiety, andinsomnia.However, research is somewhat limited.
German chamomile is a flowering plant in the Asteraceae family. The herb smells slightly like an apple, which may explain its name—chamomile is Greek for “ground apple.”
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Uses of German Chamomile
Some clinical trials suggest German chamomile may be beneficial forsleepdisorders, anxiety, and wound healing. Here’s a look at the scientific evidence.
Insomnia
German chamomile may be best known as a sleep aid, but there needs to be more solid research supporting its effectiveness for this indication.
A study was conducted in older adults in nursing homes. Sleep quality improved when participants were given 400-milligram capsules of German chamomile twice a day for four weeks, compared to those who didn’t receive any treatment.
Another study was conducted in people assigned female at birth who had just given birth. It found that those who drank one cup of chamomile tea a day for two weeks had fewer sleep problems and symptoms ofdepressioncompared to a control group that didn’t drink the tea.However, the improvement disappeared four weeks after the women stopped drinking the tea.
Anxiety
Limited research has shown German chamomile may have benefits when it comes to reducing anxiety, but more robust clinical trials are needed.
For example, in one study, chamomile was shown to be effective in reducing symptoms ofgeneralized anxiety disorder(GAD) in 58% of people who took it.
Adults with GAD were given 1,500 milligrams (mg) of German chamomile for 12 weeks. There were then assigned to another 26 weeks of chamomile treatment or aplacebo.
Those taking long-term chamomile had fewer GAD symptoms at the end of the trial, but there wasn’t a significant decrease in relapse rate.
Wound Healing
Topical (on the skin) chamomile may help speed wound healing. However, more research is needed to determine its effectiveness.
Chamomile compresses were applied twice a day to lesions aroundstomasites proved superior to 1% hydrocortisone ointment in one study.
The wounds treated with chamomile healed five to six days faster than those treated withhydrocortisone, and resulted in less pain and itching.
More studies are needed.
Additional Uses
German chamomile has also been studied for the following conditions, though the research is minimal:
More well-designed studies on German chamomile’s effectiveness are needed to recommend it for any of these uses.
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
What Are the Side Effects of German Chamomile?
Your provider may recommend taking German chamomile for anxiety, sleep, or another condition.
However, consuming an herb like chamomile may have potential side effects. These side effects may be common or severe.
Common Side Effects
Generally, German chamomile is considered safe when used as directed.
Side effects may include the following:
Severe Side Effects
Anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction is possible with chamomile.
Please seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms of a severe allergy.
People with allergies to the following plants in the same family (aster) as chamomile are more likely to have allergic reactions to it:
Also, note that, in general, the safety of supplements in pregnant people, nursing mothers, and children has not been well established.
Dosage: How Much German Chamomile Should I Take?
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your needs.
There is no standard dosage of chamomile. Dosages used in studies vary.
For instance, 400 milligrams (mg) twice daily has been studied to improve sleep quality in older adults.
And 1,500 milligrams of German chamomile extract were taken daily for up to 38 weeks in a clinical trial for anxiety in adults.
Supplement FactsActive ingredients:Apigenin, terpenoids,flavonoids, coumarinsAlternate names:Matricaria recutita, Chamomilla recutita,mayweed flower,Hungarian chamomile, true chamomileLegal status:Over-the-counter (OTC) supplement.Suggested dose:Varies; 1,500 milligrams daily (generalized anxiety disorder)Safety considerations:Hasn’t been proven safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Supplement Facts
Active ingredients:Apigenin, terpenoids,flavonoids, coumarinsAlternate names:Matricaria recutita, Chamomilla recutita,mayweed flower,Hungarian chamomile, true chamomileLegal status:Over-the-counter (OTC) supplement.Suggested dose:Varies; 1,500 milligrams daily (generalized anxiety disorder)Safety considerations:Hasn’t been proven safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
What Happens If I Take Too Much German Chamomile?
German chamomile appears safe for adults at high doses of up to 1,500 milligrams daily for up to 38 weeks.
Similar rates of side effects were seen in people who took chamomile and placebo (around 8%), and all side effects were mild.
No toxicity data are available for doses higher than this or for chamomile that is used longer than 38 weeks.
Chamomile interactions with the following medications have been reported:
It is essential to carefully read a supplement’s ingredient list and nutrition facts panel to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.
How to Store German Chamomile
Store German chamomile according to product directions, away from children and pets.
Discard after one year or as directed on the package.
Other supplements that are touted for sleep disturbances include:
Some other herbal supplements that might be beneficial for anxiety are:
And physical activity, in particularaerobic exerciseor “cardio,” has been shown to lower stress as well.
Sources of German Chamomile & What to Look For
The FDA has designated German chamomile and its essential oil and extracts as generally regarded as safe (GRAS).
The flowering tops of the chamomile plant are used to make teas, liquid extracts, or capsules.
The herb can also be applied to the skin as a cream, ointment, or orally as a mouth rinse.
Food Sources of German Chamomile
Chamomile tea is a popular tonic promoted to help with anxiety or sleep. It has even been added as an ingredient in beer.
German Chamomile Supplements
German chamomile is available in many different supplement forms, including the following:
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe two main types of chamomile used medicinally are German chamomile and Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis). German chamomile is considered to be more potent, and it is more commonly used.It’s traditionally been used for children and has been investigated in clinical trials for children as young as 4 years old, where six drops of chamomile oil were applied to the skin once a day forincontinence.Discuss using chamomile with your child’s pediatrician for more guidance.Dried chamomile flowers are often used to brew tea. One simple recipe for this soothing tea consists of 5 grams of chamomile, two slices of lemon, and one tablespoonful of honey.Steep for three to 10 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The two main types of chamomile used medicinally are German chamomile and Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis). German chamomile is considered to be more potent, and it is more commonly used.
It’s traditionally been used for children and has been investigated in clinical trials for children as young as 4 years old, where six drops of chamomile oil were applied to the skin once a day forincontinence.Discuss using chamomile with your child’s pediatrician for more guidance.
Dried chamomile flowers are often used to brew tea. One simple recipe for this soothing tea consists of 5 grams of chamomile, two slices of lemon, and one tablespoonful of honey.Steep for three to 10 minutes.
Summary
Despite its long history of use in herbal medicine, there needs to be more scientific research to support German chamomile.
Limited studies suggest it may benefit anxiety, insomnia, and wound healing. However, more robust clinical trials are needed before it can be routinely recommended.
Side effects aren’t common and are generally mild, but long-term safety data is unknown.
Also, we don’t know whether German chamomile is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
As with any supplement, discuss German chamomile with your healthcare provider to see if it may benefit you.
28 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Dai YL, Li Y, Wang Q, et al.Chamomile: a review of its traditional uses, chemical constituents, pharmacological activities and quality control studies.Molecules. 2023;28(1):133. doi:10.3390/molecules28010133
Sah A, Naseef PP, Kuruniyan MS, Jain GK, Zakir F, Aggarwal G.A comprehensive study of therapeutic applications of chamomile.Pharmaceuticals. 2022;15(10):1284. doi:10.3390/ph15101284
Abdullahzadeh M, Matourypour P, Naji SA.Investigation effect of oral chamomilla on sleep quality in elderly people in Isfahan: a randomized control trial.J Educ Health Promot. 2017;6:53. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_109_15
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.J Adv Nurs. 2016;72(2):306-315. doi:10.1111/jan.12836
Keefe JR, Mao JJ, Soeller I, Li QS, Amsterdam JD.Short-term open-label chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) therapy of moderate to severe generalized anxiety disorder.Phytomedicine. 2016;23(14):1699-1705. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2016.10.013
Mao JJ, Xie SX, Keefe JR, Soeller I, Li QS, Amsterdam JD.Long-term chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: a randomized clinical trial.Phytomedicine. 2016;23(14):1735-1742. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2016.10.012
Charousaei F, Dabirian A, Mojab F.Using chamomile solution or a 1% topical hydrocortisone ointment in the management of peristomal skin lesions in colostomy patients: results of a controlled clinical study.Ostomy Wound Manage. 2011;57(5):28-36.
Jadoon S, Karim S, Bin Asad MH, et al.Anti-aging potential of phytoextract loaded-pharmaceutical creams for human skin cell longetivity.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2015;2015:709628. doi:10.1155/2015/709628
Khorasani F, Aryan H, Sobhi A, et al.A systematic review of the efficacy of alternative medicine in the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.J Obstet Gynaecol. 2020;40(1):10-19. doi:10.1080/01443615.2019.1587392
Rauf A, Akram M, Semwal P, et al.Antispasmodic potential of medicinal plants: a comprehensive review.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2021;2021:4889719. doi:10.1155/2021/4889719
Saghafi N, Rhkhshandeh H, Pourmoghadam N, et al.Effectiveness of Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) extract on pain control of cyclic mastalgia: a double-blind randomised controlled trial.J Obstet Gynaecol. 2018;38(1):81-84. doi:10.1080/01443615.2017.1322045
Shoara R, Hashempur MH, Ashraf A, Salehi A, Dehshahri S, Habibagahi Z.Efficacy and safety of topical Matricaria chamomilla L. (chamomile) oil for knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled clinical trial.Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2015;21(3):181-187. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.06.003
Hashempur MH, Lari ZN, Ghoreishi PS, et al.A pilot randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial on topical chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) oil for severe carpal tunnel syndrome.Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2015;21(4):223-228. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.08.001
Zargaran A, Borhani-Haghighi A, Salehi-Marzijarani M, et al.Evaluation of the effect of topical chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) oleogel as pain relief in migraine without aura: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.Neurol Sci. 2018;39(8):1345-1353. doi:10.1007/s10072-018-3415-1
Ebrahimi F, Farzaei MH, Bahramsoltani R, Heydari M, Naderinia K, Rahimi R.Plant-derived medicines for neuropathies: a comprehensive review of clinical evidence.Rev Neurosci. 2019;30(6):671-684. doi:10.1515/revneuro-2018-0097
Goes P, Dutra CS, Lisboa MR, et al.Clinical efficacy of a 1% Matricaria chamomile L. mouthwash and 0.12% chlorhexidine for gingivitis control in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances.J Oral Sci. 2016;58(4):569-574. doi:10.2334/josnusd.16-0280
Rafraf M, Zemestani M, Asghari-Jafarabadi M.Effectiveness of chamomile tea on glycemic control and serum lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes.J Endocrinol Invest. 2015;38(2):163-170. doi:10.1007/s40618-014-0170-x
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Chamomile.
Srivastava JK, Shankar E, Gupta S.Chamomile: a herbal medicine of the past with bright future.Mol Med Rep. 2010;3(6):895-901. doi:10.3892/mmr.2010.377
PubChem.Substance Record for SID 160698474, B2045.
Ganzera M, Schneider P, Stuppner H.Inhibitory effects of the essential oil of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) and its major constituents on human cytochrome P450 enzymes.Life Sci. 2006;78(8):856-861. doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2005.05.095
Food and Drug Administration.Drug development and drug interactions: table of substrates, inhibitors and inducers.
Ali R, Tariq S, Kareem O, et al.Nutraceuticals for sleep disorders.Comb Chem High Throughput Screen. 2021;24(10):1583-1592. doi:10.2174/1386207324666210121111446
Fernández-Rodríguez M, Rodríguez-Legorburu I, López-Ibor Alcocer MI.Nutritional supplements in anxiety disorder.Actas Esp Psiquiatr. 2017;45(Supplement):1-7.
Kandola A, Stubbs B.Exercise and anxiety.Adv Exp Med Biol. 2020;1228:345-352. doi:10.1007/978-981-15-1792-1_23
Mao JJ, Li QS, Soeller I, Rockwell K, Xie SX, Amsterdam JD.Long-term chamomile therapy of generalized anxiety disorder: a study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.J Clin Trials. 2014;4(5):188. doi:10.4172/2167-0870.1000188
Sharifi H, Minaie MB, Qasemzadeh MJ, et al.Topical use of matricaria recutita L (chamomile) oil in the treatment of monosymptomatic Enuresis in children: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(1):12-17. doi:10.1177/2156587215608989
American Botanical Council.Introduction to chamomile.Amsterdam JD, Li Y, Soeller I, et al.A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder.J Clin Psychopharmacol.2009;29(4):378-382.Amsterdam JD, Shults J, Soeller I, et al.Chamomile (matricaria recutita) may provide antidepressant activity in anxious, depressed humans: an exploratory study.Altern Ther Health Med. 2012;18(5):44-49.Martins MD, Marques MM, Bussadoriet SK, et al.Comparative analysis between chamomilla recutita and corticosteroids on wound healing. An in vitro and in vivo study.Phytother Res. 2009;23(2):274-278.Pourabbas R, Delazar A, Chitsaz MT.The effect of German chamomile mouthwash on dental plaque and gingival inflammation. IJRP. 2005:105-109.Rafraf M, Zemestani M, Asghari-Jafarabadi M.Effectiveness of chamomile tea on glycemic control and serum lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes.J Endocrinol Invest. 2015;38(2):163-170.Sebai H, Mohamed-Amine J, Souli A.Antidiarrheal and antioxidant activities of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) decoction extract in rats.J Ethnopharmacol. 2014;152(2):327-332.Segal R, Pilote L.Research warfarin interaction with Matricaria chamomilla.Canadian Medical Association Journal.2006;9(174):1281–1282.Singh O, Zakia Khanam Z, Misra N, Srivastava MJ.Chamomile (Matricaria chamomillaL.): an overview.Pharmacogn Rev.2011; 5(9):82–95.Viola H, Wasowski C, de Steinet ML, et al.Apigenin, a component of Matricaria recutita flowers, is a central benzodiazepine receptors-ligand with anxiolytic effects.Planta Med.1995;61(3):213-216.Zick S, Wright B, Sen A, Arnedt JT.Examination of the efficacy and safety of a standardized chamomile extract for chronic primary insomnia: A randomized placebo-controlled pilot study.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2011;11:78.
American Botanical Council.Introduction to chamomile.
Amsterdam JD, Li Y, Soeller I, et al.A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder.J Clin Psychopharmacol.2009;29(4):378-382.
Amsterdam JD, Shults J, Soeller I, et al.Chamomile (matricaria recutita) may provide antidepressant activity in anxious, depressed humans: an exploratory study.Altern Ther Health Med. 2012;18(5):44-49.
Martins MD, Marques MM, Bussadoriet SK, et al.Comparative analysis between chamomilla recutita and corticosteroids on wound healing. An in vitro and in vivo study.Phytother Res. 2009;23(2):274-278.
Pourabbas R, Delazar A, Chitsaz MT.The effect of German chamomile mouthwash on dental plaque and gingival inflammation. IJRP. 2005:105-109.
Rafraf M, Zemestani M, Asghari-Jafarabadi M.Effectiveness of chamomile tea on glycemic control and serum lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes.J Endocrinol Invest. 2015;38(2):163-170.
Sebai H, Mohamed-Amine J, Souli A.Antidiarrheal and antioxidant activities of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) decoction extract in rats.J Ethnopharmacol. 2014;152(2):327-332.
Segal R, Pilote L.Research warfarin interaction with Matricaria chamomilla.Canadian Medical Association Journal.2006;9(174):1281–1282.
Singh O, Zakia Khanam Z, Misra N, Srivastava MJ.Chamomile (Matricaria chamomillaL.): an overview.Pharmacogn Rev.2011; 5(9):82–95.
Viola H, Wasowski C, de Steinet ML, et al.Apigenin, a component of Matricaria recutita flowers, is a central benzodiazepine receptors-ligand with anxiolytic effects.Planta Med.1995;61(3):213-216.
Zick S, Wright B, Sen A, Arnedt JT.Examination of the efficacy and safety of a standardized chamomile extract for chronic primary insomnia: A randomized placebo-controlled pilot study.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2011;11:78.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
