Compound Profile
Chamomile
Chamomile is a traditional botanical most often used for sleep, relaxation, mild anxiety, and digestive comfort.
Last reviewed: •1 human studies cited
C PreliminaryMonograph visual
Chamomile
The Hippie Scientist
Verdict: ChamomileMaybe
Best for
- Mild everyday anxiety
- A calming evening ritual
- Very gentle wind-down
Not ideal for
- Strong sedation for insomnia
- Ragweed-allergic individuals
- Evidence confidence
- Early — some trial support for generalized anxiety
- Expected onset
- 30–45 minutes
- Give it
- 2–8 weeks
Bottom line: Gentle and pleasant, with a little trial support for generalized anxiety. Effects are subtle — value it as a low-risk ritual rather than a strong sleep aid.
Safety: Can trigger reactions in people allergic to ragweed/daisy family; may interact with anticoagulants.
On the evidence: Limited randomized trials for generalized anxiety; sleep evidence is weaker.
How strong is the evidence?Limited
Why not higher
- Only a handful of trials, mostly small
- Sleep evidence is weaker than the (already limited) anxiety evidence
Why not lower
- One reasonable trial supports a mild effect on generalized anxiety
- Very low risk for most people and a pleasant daily ritual
Practical takeaway: Value it as a calming, low-risk ritual for mild anxiety rather than a reliable sleep aid. Skip it if you are allergic to the ragweed/daisy family.
Where to go next — guides & comparisons
Start here — new to this? Begin with Best herbs for anxiety
Compare before choosing
- Sleep herbs vs. melatonin — if you want it mainly for sleep
Continue reading
- If you want help sleeping → Sleep guides
- If you want help with anxiety or stress → Anxiety & stress guides
- If you want to browse more compounds → All compounds
Quick Stats
Evidence level
Preliminary evidence
Typical onset
Varies by prep
Safety rating
Use extra caution: Use caution
Best for
GABA A Receptor, Inflammatory Pathways
Avoid / review if
Pregnancy Or Breastfeeding Without Clinician Guidance (Traditional Uterine Stimulant Use), May Potentiate Sedatives Or Alcohol Or Benzodiazepines Through Additive CNS Depression, Theoretical CYP3A4 And CYP1A2 Interactions With Hepatically Metabolized Drugs.
Safety & Cautions
Review before use if any apply: Pregnancy Or Breastfeeding Without Clinician Guidance (Traditional Uterine Stimulant Use), May Potentiate Sedatives Or Alcohol Or Benzodiazepines Through Additive CNS Depression, Theoretical CYP3A4 And CYP1A2 Interactions With Hepatically Metabolized Drugs.
Evidence-based safety
Caution when combined
These pairings share a flagged risk mechanism. They are additive-effect cautions derived from contraindication data, not confirmed clinical interactions. Consult a clinician before combining.
High-Priority Caution
147 flagged pairingsBleeding / anticoagulant risk
High-Priority Caution
147 flagged pairingsBleeding / anticoagulant risk
Browse the grouped cautions below. The list scrolls inside this card when long.
Bleeding / anticoagulant risk
- aescin
- Aged Garlic Extract
- ajoene
- Ajwain
- Allicin
- Garlic
- American Ginseng Extract
- Andrographis
- Angelica Archangelica
- Angelica Dahurica
- Angelica Pubescens
- Angelica Root
- Angelica Sinensis
- Arjuna
- Artemisia Capillaris
- Artichoke
- Ashitaba
- Ashitaba Extract
- Astaxanthin
- Berberis
- Black Seed
- Black Seed Oil
- Blueberry
- Boldo
- Boswellia
- Capsicum
- Caraway
- Carnitine L Tartrate
- Cayenne
- Chinese Skullcap
- Chuanxiong
- Cissus
- Citicoline
- Clove
- Cnidium Monnieri
- Coleus Forskohlii
- Commiphora Mukul
- Coenzyme Q10
- Cordyceps
- Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)
- crocetin
- crocin
- cryptotanshinone
- Curcuma Wenyujin
- Curcumin
- Damiana
- Danshen
- Devils Claw Extract
- Dong Quai
- EGCG
- Epimedium
- Epimedium Brevicornum
- Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
- Fenugreek
- Fenugreek Extract
- ferulic acid
- Feverfew
- Fisetin
- forskolin
- Fraxinus Rhynchophylla
- Fucoxanthin
- Galangal
- Reishi
- Garcinia Mangostana
- Garlic (Allium sativum)
- Garlic Aged Extract
- Garlic Extract
- Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
- Ginkgo
- Ginkgo Biloba Extract
- Ginkgo Extract EGb 761
- Panax Red Ginseng
- Panax White Ginseng
- ginsenoside rg3
- Glucosamine
- Goldenseal
- Lion's Mane
- Holy Basil / Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
- Horse Chestnut
- hydroxytyrosol
- Japanese Knotweed
- Kudzu
- L-Carnitine
- Ligusticum Chuanxiong
- Magnolia
- Mangosteen
- Maral Root
- Chamomile
- Melatonin
- MSM
- Myrtle
- Nettle Root
- Nigella Sativa
- Noni
- Notoginseng
- Ocimum Basilicum
- Olive Leaf Extract
- Oregano
- Paeonia Lactiflora
- Asian Ginseng
- Panax Ginseng Extract
- Papaya Leaf
- Pastinaca Sativa
- Pau D'arco
- Perilla
- Phosphatidylserine
- Piper Longum
- Bifidobacterium Probiotic
- Lactobacillus Probiotic
- Probiotics - Bifidobacterium spp.
- Probiotics - Lactobacillus spp.
- Psoralea Corylifolia
- Pycnogenol
- Quercetin
- Quercetin Phytosome
- Red Clover
- Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
- Resveratrol
- Rhodiola Extract SHR-5
- Rose Hips
- Rosemary
- Saffron
- Saffron Extract
- Salvia miltiorrhiza
- Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)
- Saw Palmetto Extract
- Schisandra Berry
- Schisandra Chinensis
- Scutellaria Baicalensis
- Selaginella Tamariscina
- Soybean
- Syzygium Aromaticum
- Terminalia arjuna
- Thunder God Vine
- Thyme
- Tongkat Ali
- Trans-Resveratrol
- Fenugreek
- Tripterygium Wilfordii
- Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
- Turmeric Curcumin + Piperine
- Valerian
- Vitamin D3 + K2
- Grape
- White Peony
- Willow Bark Extract
- Yarrow
Moderate Caution
68 flagged pairingsSedation / CNS depression
Moderate Caution
68 flagged pairingsSedation / CNS depression
Browse the grouped cautions below. The list scrolls inside this card when long.
Sedation / CNS depression
- American Yellow Lotus
- Artemisia Absinthium
- Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
- Bacopa
- Black Seed
- Black Tea
- Blue Lotus
- Calamus
- Catuba
- Celastrus Paniculatus
- Chinese Skullcap
- Coriandrum Sativum
- Corydalis
- Cymbopogon Citratus
- Damiana
- California Poppy
- Eucalyptus
- Gastrodia
- Glycine
- Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)
- Hops
- Hypericum Perforatum
- Jatamansi
- Jujube
- Lavender
- Lavender
- Lavender Extract
- Lemon balm
- Lemon Balm Extract
- Lemon Verbena
- Lemongrass
- Lobelia Inflata
- Longan
- Magnolia
- Melatonin
- Lemon Balm
- Milk Oats
- Mugwort
- Muira Puama
- Myristica Fragrans
- Nicotiana Glauca
- Nicotiana Tabacum
- Oatstraw
- Ocimum Basilicum
- Parsley
- Passionflower
- Passionflower
- Passionflower Extract
- Passionflower Extract (Standardized)
- Kava
- Polygala
- Poria
- Raspberry Leaf
- Sage
- Schisandra Berry
- Schisandra Chinensis
- Scutellaria Baicalensis
- Skullcap
- Shankhpushpi
- Sophora Flavescens
- theanine
- Valeriana officinalis
- Valerian Extract (Standardized)
- Valerian Root Extract
- Valerian
- Verbena Officinalis
- Ashwagandha
- Wormwood
Evidence Summary
C PreliminaryEvidence lens
Useful signal, but study design, dose, and population still matter.
ModeratePreliminary evidence
Human clinical evidence: Present in source signals
Mechanistic / preclinical: Mechanism mapped — Inflammatory Signaling Modulation · Neurotransmitter Modulation · Stress Response Modulation
Research maturity: More interpretable — main contexts: GABA A Receptor · Inflammatory Pathways
Safety boundary: Safety note available — Review before use if any apply: Pregnancy Or Breastfeeding Without Clinician Guidance (Traditional Uterine Stimulant Use), May Potentiate Sedatives Or Alcohol Or Benzodiazepines Through Additive CNS Depression, Theoretic
This profile cites 1 human study.
Evidence Strength
Confidence estimate based on the design quality and consistency of published clinical trials.
Chamomile has a preliminary evidence evidence rating.
AdaptogenSleepStress & Mood
Citation density
0.5
Sources
1
Effects
2
Research recency
Mixed recency
How evidence grades work
Each grade reflects the strength and consistency of published human evidence — not marketing claims. Grades are based on study count, design quality, effect size, consistency, and recency.
A
Strong
Multiple RCTs, consistent direction, adequate effect size
B
Moderate
Some RCTs or consistent observational data in humans
C
Preliminary / Mixed
Animal or in-vitro only, or conflicting human data
D
Traditional / Theoretical
Traditional use only; no controlled human trials
Clinical Study Summaries (1)Cited studies informing this profile. RCTs and reviews shown first.
How Chamomile Works
Simplified mechanism pathway based on preclinical and pharmacological evidence. Does not confirm clinical efficacy.
Mechanism Pathway — How Chamomile Works
CompoundTarget / ReceptorMechanismEffect / Outcome
Mechanisms & Biological Pathways▼
Preclinical mechanism details from scientific profiles; these represent plausible pathways but do not guarantee clinical efficacy in humans.
Inflammatory Signaling ModulationNeurotransmitter ModulationStress Response ModulationNeuroprotective ActivityNeuroprotective
Condition guides
Continue exploring
Related research paths
Compare & Sourcing
Compare side-by-side tradeoffs or verify active marker guidelines.
Review available sources for Chamomile
Independent database mapping — evaluated separately from safety and efficacy scores.
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Related alternatives
Herbs for similar conditions
Tradeoffs
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Affiliate-ready sourcing
Chamomile product picks
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Product Form & Quality Guidelines
When sourcing Chamomile, verify the label for:
- Standardized Extract: Confirm active content percentages on the supplement facts panel (e.g. standardized to specific marker compounds) rather than simple raw herb weights.
- Third-Party Testing: Look for independent purity labels (USP, NSF, ConsumerLab, or Eurofins) to ensure the product is free from heavy metals, solvents, and contaminants.
- Form Bioavailability: Ensure the form matches evidence-supported configurations (e.g. chelated bisglycinate/glycinate for magnesium, micronized monohydrate for creatine) for optimal onset and digestion tolerance.
Safety first · Harm reduction
This information is educational and not medical advice. Start low, avoid risky combinations, and consult a licensed clinician before making health decisions—especially if you use medications, have diagnosed conditions, or are pregnant/breastfeeding.
Learn how we evaluate confidence, safety, and intensity on the methodology page.
Editorial Review
Checked against primary sources, cited evidence, and contraindication language before publication. Evidence claims, safety language, and affiliate modules are reviewed independently. Not personal medical advice.
Compound profile context
How to interpret Chamomile
Chamomile dosage by use case, onset and duration, safety limits, and interactions for gaba a receptor, graded against research. Mechanistic Evidence research… Use this compound profile to understand mechanism, evidence quality, and practical safety context before comparing products or building a stack. A biochemical pathway connection can be useful for discovery, but it is not the same as proven benefit in humans.
When reviewing Chamomile, separate the active molecule from the product category around it. Dose form, absorption, extract standardization, medication interactions, and individual sensitivity can change the real-world risk-benefit picture.
For supplement planning, avoid combining multiple compounds with overlapping sedating, stimulating, serotonergic, blood-pressure, anticoagulant, or liver-metabolism effects unless a qualified clinician has reviewed the context.