Chamomile: A Natural Remedy for Anxiety

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile herb treatment is often touted as a homeopathic remedy for anxiety and insomnia. Many people swear by it, but up until recently there has been no real proof that it worked. Recently, a randomized, controlled trial was carried out looking at chamomile herb extract for treatment of anxiety. The results were published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. What did this study show about using chamomile for remedying of anxiety symptoms?

Chamomile Herb Remedy for Anxiety

In this study, researchers gave people with mild to moderate anxiety symptoms a chamomile extract or a placebo pill to take for two months. At the end of the eight week period, they administered a psychological test to measure the participants’ anxiety levels. The results? The anxious people who took the chamomile extract experienced a fifty percent drop in their anxiety scores.

This is good news for people looking for natural remedies for anxiety. There are a number of prescription medications available to treat generalized anxiety, but side effects such as fatigue, lightheadedness, and dizziness can be difficult for some people to deal with. Using the chamomile herb would have the advantage of being a natural way to approach this problem without the use of prescription medications.

Is Chamomile Herb Extract Safe?

Does taking a chamomile herb extract have any serious side effects? Some people who take chamomile supplements experience slight drowsiness and at high doses it can be associated with stomach upset and vomiting. People who are on blood thinners shouldn’t use chamomile without contacting their doctor since it can increase the risk of bleeding. Overall, chamomile has fewer side effects than most prescription anti-anxiety medications.

How About Chamomile Tea for Anxiety?

A chamomile herb extract was used in this study for treatment of anxiety; but sipping chamomile tea may have a similar effect if done frequently. Chamomile extract in pill form can be purchased from vitamin distributors, but it’s hard to know the quality of what you’re getting and whether or not it contains impurities. If using a chamomile extract, it’s best to buy only from a reputable distributor – or drink chamomile tea instead.

Chamomile for Anxiety: The Bottom Line

The good news is chamomile for anxiety remedy looks like a good alternative – at least according to this well designed trial. If you’re concerned about the side effects of anti-anxiety medications, talk to your doctor about giving chamomile a try instead.