Skip to content
FriendsPantry

Nature's Pantry

Chamomile

Also: German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) · manzanilla (Spanish)

A classic bedtime tea. Likely safe in food amounts, but research is not strong enough to say how well it works.

Overall evidence

Evidence level: Limited or early evidence

Some small studies, but nothing strong enough to support a conclusion.

A few small or low-quality studies, inconsistent results, or mostly lab and animal work. Interesting, but not enough to rely on.

What it is

The dried flower heads of German chamomile, a daisy-family plant, usually infused as a tea.

Traditional use

Tradition, not evidence: how cultures use it, not proof that it works.

  • Europe

    Chamomile tea is the go-to bedtime drink and is given for a nervous stomach.

  • Mexico and Spain

    Té de manzanilla is a household standby for upset stomachs.

What the research says

Each claim graded on its own evidence.

  • Chamomile for sleep, anxiety or digestion

    Evidence level: Limited or early evidence

    NCCIH says research on chamomile is not strong enough to rate how useful it is for any condition.[1]

In food amounts

A tea bag or a teaspoon or two of dried flowers per cup.

We describe everyday cooking amounts only, never supplement doses.

Safety

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Little is known about safety in pregnancy or breastfeeding beyond normal food amounts. The NHS advises no more than four cups of herbal tea a day in pregnancy.[1][2]
Medicines
Chamomile may interact with warfarin and some other medicines, and preliminary studies suggest it might reduce the effect of birth control pills. Check with your pharmacist.[1]
Allergies
People allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds or daisies are more likely to react to chamomile; severe reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported.[1]

If you take regular medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a baby or someone who is unwell, check with a doctor, pharmacist or midwife before using any food or supplement for a health reason.

Sources

  1. [1] Chamomile — fact sheet — US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH, NIH)
  2. [2] Foods to avoid in pregnancy — NHS (UK)

Sources were checked when this entry was written. Research changes; if you spot something out of date, please tell us.

Cook with chamomile

More from Nature's Pantry

  • Cinnamon
    Evidence level: Limited or early evidence
  • Citrus fruit
    Evidence level: Evidence against
  • Fennel seed
    Evidence level: Traditional use only
  • Ginger
    Evidence level: Moderate evidence
  • Green tea
    Evidence level: Limited or early evidence
  • Honey
    Evidence level: Moderate evidence

All 32 foods