Chamomile tea for depression and sleep (2024)

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Posted on Wed, 20 Jul 16

Chamomile tea for depression and sleep (1)

In a win for traditional home remedies Chamomile tea has been shown to alleviate depression and sleep problems.

Chamomile is a well known and widely used tea for relaxation, and indeed a clinical study found chamomile was effective for severe anxiety [1], and depression [2]. But no human studies have examined the effects of chamomile on sleep, until now.

Sleep problems are a common and significant issue for postpartum women, so from 6-weeks after childbirth a group of women were instructed to drink chamomile tea for a period of 2-weeks to examine its effects compared to a control group. They drank one cup of chamomile tea per day which was prepared by steeping a teabag containing 2 g of dried flowers in 300 ml of hot water for 10-15 minutes.

When compared with the control group, those drinking chamomile tea had a significant improvement in sleep measures as well as a significant reduction in symptoms of depression. The women in the study also reported that the benefits were related to facilitating emotional stability and relaxation.

“These findings support that drinking single-ingredient chamomile tea once each day for a 2-week period has positiveand significant effects on the sleep quality and mental health of postpartum women with poor sleep quality,” concluded the investigators. “The lack of reported side effects further supports chamomile tea consumption as an alternative therapy that is safe, simple, cost-effective, and viable for postnatal women.”

“…we hope that healthcare professionals will reference these findings to increase their awareness of the correct and positive use of herbal therapy in postpartum health care,” they commented.

References:

  1. Amsterdam JD, Li Y, Soeller I, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2009 Aug;29(4):378-82.
  2. Amsterdam JD, Shults J, Soeller I, et al. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) may provide antidepressant activity in anxious, depressed humans: an exploratory study. Altern Ther Health Med. 2012 Sep-Oct;18(5):44-9.
  3. Chang SM, Chen CH. Effects of an intervention with drinking chamomile tea on sleep quality and depression in sleep disturbed postnatal women: a randomized controlled trial. J Adv Nurs. 2016 Feb;72(2):306-15.

Tags: Chamomile Tea, Depression, Sleep

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Chamomile tea for depression and sleep (2024)

FAQs

Chamomile tea for depression and sleep? ›

Is Chamomile Actually Good For Sleep? Chamomile is considered to be a mild sedative or tranquilizer, which means it may relax the nervous system and promote sleep. View Source . A meta-analysis of 12 randomized, controlled trials found that chamomile improved sleep quality.

How many cups of chamomile tea a day for anxiety? ›

In most of the included studies, intervention was done using capsules with dosage ranging from 250 mg to 2 g daily. Three of the studies that used chamomile tea as intervention, using 1 to 2 cups of tea, daily [22,47,50]. Duration of these clinical trials ranged from 2 to 26 weeks.

How long does it take for chamomile to work for anxiety? ›

Sleep and relaxation

Chamomile tea may help people relax and fall asleep. A 2019 review noted that, after 2–4 weeks of treatment with chamomile, people with generalized anxiety disorder saw an improvement in symptoms. Treatment with chamomile may also improve sleep quality.

Does chamomile calm anxiety? ›

Chamomile. Limited data shows that short-term use of chamomile is likely safe and can be effective in lessening symptoms of anxiety. But chamomile may raise the risk of bleeding when used with blood-thinning medicines, especially if taken at high doses.

Who should not drink chamomile tea? ›

Pregnant women should avoid chamomile because of the risk of miscarriage. If you are allergic to asters, daisies, chrysanthemums, or ragweed, you may also be allergic to chamomile. Drinking a lot of highly concentrated chamomile tea may cause vomiting. Chamomile may cause drowsiness, so DO NOT take it and drive.

How long does it take for chamomile tea to make you sleepy? ›

If you want to take advantage of chamomile's sleep-inducing benefits, it's recommended that you drink your chamomile tea for about 45 minutes before going to bed. This allows your body plenty of time to metabolize the chemical compounds that make chamomile an effective sleep aid.

Does chamomile tea increase serotonin? ›

It is thought that chamomile may boost chemicals in the brain that can affect mood, such as serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline. These are natural chemical messengers that are present in the brain, and it is thought that boosting these chemicals can be helpful in depression.

What is the best time to drink chamomile tea? ›

Chamomile tea promotes better sleep with the antioxidant apigenin. Indeed, chamomile tea is an excellent after-dinner, pre-bedtime drink. In addition to its aromatic, earthy-floral flavor and lack of caffeine, it has longstanding medicinal uses and is known for its relaxing effects.

What mental effects does chamomile have? ›

There's not much solid research into chamomile's benefits. There's some evidence it could ease anxiety and maybe even help you sleep better. But we need more research, especially because many of the studies done so far have combined chamomile with other ingredients. Still, chamomile is generally considered safe.

Does chamomile sedate you? ›

Traditionally, chamomile preparations such as tea and essential oil aromatherapy have been used to treat insomnia and to induce sedation (calming effects). Chamomile is widely regarded as a mild tranquillizer and sleep-inducer.

What is the most calming tea for anxiety? ›

Chamomile tea is often considered the best tea for managing anxiety and panic attacks and studies support this. Its natural calming properties can help soothe the nervous system, making it beneficial for reducing stress and easing panic attack symptoms.

What is the strongest herb for anxiety? ›

The root of a plant native to the South Pacific, kava is perhaps the best-researched herb for anxiety relief. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies show that kava significantly reduces anxiety.

What is the 3-3-3 rule for anxiety? ›

The 3-3-3 rule is a super simple technique that can help you regain control and calm your mind. It essentially requires you to identify three things you can see, three things you can hear, and three ways you can move your body.

What not to mix with chamomile tea? ›

View interaction reports for chamomile and the medicines listed below.
  • 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan)
  • Adderall (amphetamine / dextroamphetamine)
  • Alcohol (contained in alcoholic beverages) (ethanol)
  • Aleve (naproxen)
  • Aspirin Low Strength (aspirin)
  • Ativan (lorazepam)
  • Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • Claritin (loratadine)

What happens to your body when you drink chamomile tea every day? ›

Chamomile tea contains flavones, a class of antioxidants. According to research, flavonoids may improve cardiovascular health by reducing LDL, also known as “bad” cholesterol. One older study found that people with diabetes who drank chamomile tea had reductions in their triglyceride (blood fat) and LDL levels.

Is chamomile tea hard on the liver? ›

Additionally, a review of 15 studies found chamomile may protect against oxidative stress and diabetes-related complications, including kidney and liver problems like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or diabetic nephropathy.

How much chamomile extract for anxiety? ›

Anxiety. Research suggests that taking capsules containing 220 to 1100 mg of 220-1110 mg of German chamomile extract daily for 8 weeks reduces anxiety and depression in adults with generalized anxiety disorder.

Does chamomile calm the nervous system? ›

Chamomile is widely regarded as a mild tranquillizer and sleep-inducer. Sedative effects may be due to the flavonoid, apigenin that binds to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain (68).

Is it better to drink chamomile tea at night or day? ›

Sipping chamomile tea an hour before bedtime may help you fall asleep faster and improve your sleep quality. Still, factors like underlying sleep disorders, sleep hygiene practices, and lifestyle habits can influence its effectiveness.

What does chamomile tea do for mental? ›

A cup of chamomile tea can also help to reduce stress and alleviate anxiety. Chamomile is well-known for its relaxing properties, and makes a soothing, aromatic cup of tea that's perfect for any time of day. Since chamomile is also a very mild sedative, it can help you to calm down both physically and mentally.

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