Chamomile: Sleep Evidence and Safety

This guide focuses on German chamomile, also called Matricaria recutita or Matricaria chamomilla. Roman chamomile is a different plant. Studies of one preparation do not automatically establish the effects of another species, a tea bag or a multi-herb blend.^{See reference 1,See reference 2}

Tea may be part of a bedtime routine. That ordinary food use is different from taking a concentrated extract to treat a medical problem, and neither use establishes that a particular advertised benefit is proven.^{See reference 1,See reference 5}

In the 2024 review, five studies contributed to the pooled sleep-quality score, and disagreement between studies was high. Perceived improvement is useful information, but it does not establish a reliable increase in sleep time or daytime functioning for everyone.^{See reference 2}

The absence of reported harms in these small studies is also limited: most used passive reporting rather than actively looking for adverse effects. It cannot establish that a product is safe for every user or for long-term use.^{See reference 2}

Persistent sleep problems deserve an assessment of their cause. NCCIH describes stronger evidence for approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia; a supplement should not delay that assessment.^{See reference 6}

The 2016 trial first gave 179 adults a pharmaceutical-grade extract openly for 12 weeks. Only 93 responders entered the randomized continuation phase, which lasted 26 weeks. This design tests continued treatment in selected responders, not whether tea helps everyone who feels anxious.^{See reference 4}

Relapse occurred in 15.2% continuing chamomile and 25.5% switched to placebo, but the difference was not statistically significant. Symptom scores favored chamomile. Keeping both findings prevents the secondary result from being mistaken for proof of relapse prevention.^{See reference 4}

That anxiety trial used 1,500 mg of its extract per day. This identifies the studied preparation; it is not a recommendation, a tea-equivalent amount or a dosing rule for another product. The broader evidence does not establish one chamomile dose for sleep.^{See reference 2,See reference 4}

Compare the species, plant part, extraction method and ingredients with any cited study. A capsule weight alone cannot establish equivalence, and this page does not select a product or treatment course.^{See reference 1,See reference 5}

Allergic reactions can occur, including severe reactions. Risk is greater for people allergic to related plants such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds or daisies. Nausea and dizziness have also been reported.^{See reference 1}

NCCIH reports interactions with warfarin and some liver-metabolized medicines, plus theoretical concerns with sedatives. Evidence also raises hormone-related concerns, including possible effects on hormonal contraception or estrogen-sensitive conditions. These are reasons for a medicine review, not a claim that every interaction is proven.^{See reference 1}

There is little safety information for pregnancy or breastfeeding. Findings in selected adults do not establish safety for infants, children or every medical condition.^{See reference 1}