Chamomile: What Do We Really Know?

Chamomile is one of the most familiar medicinal plants, and some of its traditional uses have also attracted considerable scientific attention.

Clinical research provides particularly interesting evidence for chamomile extracts in anxiety, while digestive complaints and inflammatory skin conditions are other important areas of study.

But once again, the preparation matters. A standardized extract rich in flavonoids such as apigenin is chemically very different from chamomile essential oil rich in α-bisabolol, bisabolol oxides and chamazulene. Results obtained with one cannot automatically be applied to the other – or to an ordinary cup of chamomile tea.

Laboratory research has identified many additional antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and neuroactive effects. However, not every effect observed in laboratory experiments has been confirmed to the same extent in people.

Chamomile therefore has a meaningful scientific evidence base, but “chamomile” is not a single preparation. Understanding what was actually tested is essential when interpreting research findings.