Nature’s medicine: Chamomile eases anxiety, study finds

By Sari Huhtala

Chamomile, often thought of as a sleepy-time tea, is more than just a pretty flower, it has been found to “significantly” reduce symptoms of anxiety, and may even alleviate depression, studies show.

A study in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology found that chamomile extract therapy, dried chamomile given orally in capsules, was effective in treating generalized anxiety disorder. This is the first randomized controlled trial of chamomile therapy for anxiety disorder. Sixty-one out patients with mild to moderate generalized anxiety disorder were enrolled in the study, and 57 were randomized to either double-blind chamomile extract or a placebo therapy for eight weeks. Participants who received the chamomile therapy experienced a significant change in the severity of anxiety, researchers conclude.

A study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found chamomile also had anti-depressant activity in patients with generalized anxiety disorder and depression.

Studies show when chamomile tea is ingested, the chamomile can bind to the GABA receptors, neurotransmitters that are involved in reducing the activity of the neurons, the same way antidepressants target GABA receptors.

Sari Huhtala is the publisher and editor of Alive and Fit Magazine. She has over 25 years experience in journalism. She is a mother of 3 adult children. She has spent over 20 years navigating a healthy path for her family, one health hack at a time, as a single mom feeding her kids healthy on a shoestring budget. She also has over 15 years experience as a certified fitness specialist and personal trainer, 10 years experience as a reiki practitioner; she studied Shamanism and is currently completing yoga teacher training certification.