Chamomile: Science and Safety

Chamomile: Science and Safety

Background There are two types of chamomile: German chamomile and Roman chamomile. The information in this email is about German chamomile, which is used as a dietary supplement for sleeplessness, anxiety, and digestive symptoms. How Much Do We Know? Not much is known about the health effects of chamomile because it has not been well studied in people. What Have We Learned? Preliminary research suggests that a chamomile dietary supplement might be helpful for generalized anxiety disorder. Also, products containing combinations of herbs that include chamomile may be beneficial for upset stomach, for diarrhea in children, and for infants with colic. But chamomile alone has not been shown to be helpful for these conditions. What Do We Know About Safety? Allergic reactions to chamomile—including serious ones—have been reported. Chamomile may interact with certain medicines, such as cyclosporine (a drug used to prevent rejection of organ transplants) and warfarin (a blood thinner). Find out more