Chamomile
Benefits of Chamomile
- Relaxation
- Sleep
- From: Western Europe, Western Asia, India
- Form: Extract
- Food source: Plant
What is Chamomile?
Chamomile is a group of daisy-like plants that grow wild throughout southern England and other parts of Europe. You've probably had it in teas, where it is used for its flavour, and chamomile drinks have been a bedtime tradition for centuries. Chamomile contains a plant compound called apigenin.
What does the research say about Chamomile?
Apigenin has been studied for how it interacts with GABA receptors in the brain. A review of chamomile's long history in herbal medicine covers its traditional use as a calming herb. Studies have looked at chamomile and sleep quality, and one trial of a standardised extract measured how often people woke during the night.
Chamomile has also been studied for its effects on stress and emotional wellbeing, including a placebo-controlled trial of an oral chamomile extract and research into how people feel in high-pressure situations.