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Therapeutic efficacy and safety of chamomile for state anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia, and sleep quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials and quasi-randomized trials

Truong Hong Hieu, Mahmoud Dibas, Kadek Agus Surya Dila, Nourin Ali Sherif, Muhammad Usman Hashmi, Mostafa Mahmoud, Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang, Lava Abdullah, Thai Le Ba Nghia, Mai Nhu Y, Kenji Hirayama, Nguyen Tien Huy
Phytotherapy Research 2019 33(6):1604-1615

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 31006899
DOI
10.1002/ptr.6349

Study snapshot

DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis
Model12 randomized or quasi-randomized human chamomile trials
Sample12 trials
InterventionChamomile preparations versus control or placebo
Duration
EndpointsState anxiety; Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms; Insomnia; Sleep quality; Adverse events

What the study showed, in plain terms

This meta-analysis pools human chamomile trials relevant to sleep and anxiety. Chamomile is an apigenin-containing botanical, but the evidence cannot isolate apigenin from its other constituents.

Key findings

Pooled data suggested improved sleep quality and some improvement in generalized-anxiety measures, while the single chronic-insomnia RCT did not show a significant insomnia benefit. Mild adverse events were reported in a minority of trials.

What this study can and cannot tell us

Formulations, populations and outcomes varied, and chamomile contains multiple bioactive compounds. The analysis does not establish isolated-apigenin efficacy.

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Last verified

Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction Dr. Amr Yasser, PhDCardiometabolic, Musculoskeletal, Gut & Bioavailability Dr. Abdulla Mostafa, PhDCellular Senescence, Neurological, Mitochondrial & Brain-Ageing Biology