Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
The calming chamomile plant can be used for stress relief, tension, indigestion, colic and to relieve skin inflammation and irritations.
T here’s some evidence it could ease anxiety and maybe even help you sleep better. But we need more research, especially because many of the studies done so far have combined chamomile with other ingredients.
Still, chamomile is generally considered safe. Historically, people have used it for:
Chest colds
Fever
Gum inflammation (gingivitis) and canker sores
Sore throats
Hemorrhoids
Acid reflux
Diarrhea
Gas
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis)
Heartburn
Nausea and vomiting
Upset stomach or stomach ulcer
Some people also use chamomile in ointment or liquid form to help with skin conditions, such as:
Abscesses
Acne
Eczema
Infections such as shingles
Minor first-degree burns
Mouth sores due to cancer treatment (as a mouthwash)
Psoriasis
Some early research suggests that chamomile may be about 60% as effective as certain doses of hydrocortisone cream for eczema.
Chamomile is also used as a mild sedative to improve sleep. You can try chamomile tea and other products to help with issues such as difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia), stress, anxiety, and depression.
In infants and young children, some people use chamomile or products containing chamomile to ease:
Chickenpox
Colic
Diaper rash
Diarrhea