Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla — also: German chamomile
Small studies suggest modest relaxation/sleep benefit; gentle and well tolerated.
A staple European folk remedy for calm, sleep, and digestion.
Mild support for relaxation, sleep quality, and digestive comfort.
Apigenin binds benzodiazepine-type receptors; mild antispasmodic effects.
- Mild relaxation and sleep support
- Digestive calm
Small trials show modest benefit for sleep/anxiety.
- Effects are mild and variable
- Allergy (daisy family)
- Additive sedation
- People allergic to ragweed/daisies
Allergic reactions in those sensitive to ragweed/daisies.
May add to sedatives; theoretical bleeding interaction at high intake.
Generally avoided in large medicinal amounts during pregnancy; tea usually considered mild.
Easy annual; harvest and dry flowers for tea.
- Small trials suggest modest benefit for generalized anxiety and sleep quality.
- Apigenin shows benzodiazepine-receptor binding in preclinical work.
- Effects are mild and well tolerated.
Few, small trials; mechanism is plausible but clinical effect is gentle.
Larger sleep/anxiety RCTs with standardized extracts.
A gentle nightcap herb — modest help, low risk, mind the daisy allergy.