Where Does Chamomile Have the Strongest Evidence?
Chamomile has been studied clinically in several areas, particularly anxiety and stress, digestive complaints and inflammatory skin conditions.
One of the most interesting areas is anxiety. Controlled clinical studies using chamomile extract have reported reductions in symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, supporting scientific interest in chamomile’s traditional reputation as a calming herb.
Chamomile preparations have also been investigated for digestive problems, including indigestion and gastrointestinal spasms. Their potential effects are associated with both anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties.
Another important area is the skin. Topical chamomile extracts and oil preparations have been studied for inflammatory skin conditions, including eczema and dermatitis, as well as wound healing. Compounds such as α-bisabolol and chamazulene are of particular interest in this area.
Chamomile essential oil has also been used in aromatherapy research, with studies exploring possible effects on relaxation, stress and sleep.