Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2018 and is preserved for historical interest. Some recommendations, regulations, and scientific evidence have changed since it was written. It reflects the research and perspectives available at that time.
Research published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology (2009;29[4]:378–382) examined the effects of chamomile extract on anxiety. The study included 57 participants who were randomly assigned to receive either a standardized German chamomile extract (220 mg, standardized to 1.2% apigenin) or a placebo for eight weeks.
Dosage was gradually increased from one capsule per day to as many as five capsules per day, based on symptom severity. Anxiety levels were assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A).
Participants receiving chamomile showed significantly greater improvement in HAM-A scores compared with those receiving placebo. The results suggest that standardized chamomile extract may help reduce anxiety symptoms when used consistently over time.
