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Herbs and plants

Chamomile — Grandma’s tea stronger than sleeping pills?

Sources: 6 · Article: 5 563 characters

Henryk Różański describes chamomile as a calming remedy that may help children fall asleep.

  • According to him, chamomile calms the nervous system more strongly than yarrow, and using too much may cause drowsiness.

What the authors write

Europejska Agencja Leków (EMA)

Studies of chamomile have found possible benefits, but the data were not sufficient to confirm its effectiveness, and it was not compared with another medicine.

„Although possible beneficial effects were observed, the data were insufficient to constitute proof, especially since chamomile flowers were not compared with any other medicine in these studies. Therefore, the HMPC’s conclusions about the use of medicines containing chamomile flowers are based on their long-standing use.”Choć zaobserwowano możliwe korzystne działania, dane były niewystarczające, aby stanowiły dowód, zwłaszcza, że w tych badaniach kwiatu rumianku nie porównano z żadnym innym lekiem. W związku z tym wnioski HMPC dotyczące stosowania leków zawierających kwiat rumianku wynikają z ich długotrwałego stosowania.
Kwiat rumianku — streszczenie EMA dla pacjentów
Henryk Różański

Chamomile is described as a calming remedy and, when given to children, may help them fall asleep.

„Chamomile tea treats digestive disorders and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, and relieves symptoms of nervous stomach and bowel disorders. It prevents motion sickness. When given to children, it helps them fall asleep. Chamomile tea can also be made for children with milk and honey.”Napar z rumianku leczy zaburzenia trawienne, stany zapalne przewodu pokarmowego, łagodzi objawy nerwicy żołądka i jelit. Zapobiega chorobie lokomocyjnej. Podany dzieciom ułatwia zasypianie. Dla dzieci można sporządzać także napar rumiankowy na mleku z dodatkiem miodu.
Kwiat rumianku – Flos Matricariae = Chamomillae
Henryk Różański

Chamomile is said to have a calming effect, but using too much may cause drowsiness.

„It is safe to use, provided it is not taken for too long and the person is not allergic to its ingredients. Excessive use may cause colic, bloating, feeling unwell, drowsiness, skin redness, itching and hives, and even facial swelling.”Jest bezpieczny w działaniu, pod warunkiem, że nie stosuje się go zbyt długo i w razie uczulenia na jego składniki. Nadmiernie nadużywany może wywołać kolkę, wzdęcia, złe samopoczucie, ospałość, zaczerwienienie skóry, świąd i pokrzywkę, a nawet obrzęk twarzy.
Azulan, Azucalen, azulen i rumianek
Henryk Różański

Compared with yarrow, chamomile is said to calm the nervous system more strongly.

„It has been observed, however, that yarrow stimulates digestive processes more strongly, promotes the secretion of digestive juices and improves digestion, while chamomile has a stronger calming effect on the nervous system. Both herbs relax smooth muscles.”Zauważono jednak, że krwawnik oddziałuje silniej stymulująco na procesy trawienne, pobudza wydzielanie soków, poprawia strawianie; natomiast rumianek silniej oddziałuje uspokajająco na układ nerwowy. Oba surowce działają rozkurczowo na mięśnie gładkie.
Herba Millefolii – ziele krwawnika jako amaro-aromatica

Research from PubMed · Europe PMC

We selected 2 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.

Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 28.

Inhaling chamomile oil improved sleep quality and reduced insomnia severity in young adults compared with a control group.

Aim of the study: ObjectiveInsomnia is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying sleep, or both. Aromatherapy is a commonly used complementary and alternative medicine practice by persons with insomnia.

Results: The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) were administered before and after the intervention.ResultsWithin-group analysis showed a significant reduction both in PSQI and ISI scores among those in the AG (P < 0.001 for both scores), whereas the CG reported a significant reduction in PSQI score (P = 0.033) and no significant changes in ISI score (P = 0.068). The between-group analysis after the intervention demonstrated a significant reduction in PSQI and ISI scores in the AG group (P < 0.001 for both) compared to the CG group. No participant in either group reported adverse events during or after the study.ConclusionFifteen days of chamomile oil inhalation before bedtime reduced insomnia severity and enhanced the quality of sleep for young adults suffering from insomnia. Further studies are needed to replicate the results of this study using an active control group.

Effects of chamomile oil inhalation on sleep quality in young adults with insomnia: A randomized controlled trial. · Int J Psychiatry Med 2025
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studystudy with random allocation to groups (RCT)
Participants80

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In women after childbirth, chamomile tea briefly reduced sleep inefficiency related to physical symptoms and symptoms of depression.

Aim of the study: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of chamomile tea on sleep quality, fatigue and depression in postpartum women. Sleep quality is a significant issue for postnatal women. Chamomile is widely used as a folk remedy for its presumed sedative-hypnotic effects.

Results: Compared with the control group, the experimental group demonstrated significantly lower scores of physical-symptoms-related sleep inefficiency (t = -2·482, P = 0·015) and the symptoms of depression (t = -2·372, P = 0·020). However, the scores for all three instruments were similar for both groups at 4-week post-test, suggesting that the positive effects of chamomile tea were limited to the immediate term. Chamomile tea may be recommended to postpartum women as a supplementary approach to alleviating depression and sleep quality problems.

Effects of an intervention with drinking chamomile tea on sleep quality and depression in sleep disturbed postnatal women: a randomized controlled trial. · J Adv Nurs 2016
Money for the studygovernment, public institutions · National Science Council
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studystudy with random allocation to groups (RCT)
Participants80

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

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