Matricaria chamomilla - Chamomile: properties and benefits

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Today we tell you everything about chamomile, one of the ingredients present in our sleep capsules.

What is chamomile?

I know you are familiar with chamomile. You have surely had a warm cup to help you fall asleep or to soothe a bad stomachache. Chamomile is the classic grandmother's remedy, which smells of childhood and has the warmth of good things. Let's discover a little more about this special plant.

La Matricaria chamomilla, commonly known as chamomile, is a medicinal plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. This annual plant is characterized by its ability to adapt to various types of soil and is particularly resistant to cold. Native to southern and eastern Europe and northern and western Asia, chamomile is known for its beneficial properties and has long been used as a support for a wide range of ailments, from anxiety to insomnia, to digestive disorders. Chamomile is also known for its calming, sedative, antispasmodic, antiseptic, and antiemetic properties. In addition to promoting relaxation and sleep, chamomile has been studied for its beneficial effects on the skin, as its extracts can reduce irritations and promote wound healing. From a botanical point of view, the plant is characterized by flowers resembling small daisies and grows in various regions of the world, preferring temperate climates. Chamomile contains various active compounds, including flavonoids, terpenes, and antioxidants that enhance its therapeutic effectiveness.

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What are the benefits of chamomile?

Chamomile offers a wide range of health benefits, and these benefits are supported by scientific studies. Among the main advantages is its ability to relieve insomnia and improve sleep quality, thanks to its natural sedative effects. Several clinical studies show that taking chamomile can also help reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress and promote relaxation. Another important benefit is its anti-inflammatory power; it is no coincidence that chamomile is used to relieve some of the most common gastrointestinal disorders such as indigestion, cramps, and bloating. The flavonoids and terpenes present in its extracts help reduce inflammation and protect cells from potential oxidative damage. Additionally, thanks to its antispasmodic properties, it can help reduce menstrual pain and alleviate symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

To conclude, chamomile is also used to manage skin irritations. Its soothing properties are particularly effective in reducing redness and inflammation, accelerating the healing process of wounds.

The effects of chamomile according to scientific research

In this paragraph, we provide a summary of the most interesting studies on the properties of chamomile. You can find the bibliography at the bottom of the page.

A study on the effectiveness of chamomile on sleep conducted on a sample of adults showed that the regular intake of capsules containing chamomile led to a significant improvement in sleep quality, especially in parameters such as duration and sleep onset latency. The study results suggest that the sedative properties of chamomile, likely due to compounds such as apigenin, help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, making chamomile a potential natural option for those suffering from insomnia and sleep disorders.

A systematic review examined the effectiveness and safety of chamomile as a support for anxiety and insomnia. Eleven clinical study databases were reviewed, and the results showed that after about 2-4 weeks of chamomile use, an improvement in anxiety disorder and sleep quality can be observed, which appears to improve significantly.

Some have also investigated the effects of chamomile on the sleep of the elderly population. Sixty elderly people in a nursing home were divided into two groups: one received 200 mg chamomile extract capsules twice a day for 28 days, the other received a placebo in the same manner. Sleep quality was measured at four times: before the start, after two weeks, immediately after 28 days, and two weeks after the intervention. Initial results showed that both groups had low sleep quality scores. After the test, the group that took chamomile reported a significant improvement in sleep quality compared to the placebo group, suggesting that chamomile extract may be a safe and effective option to improve sleep quality in the elderly.

An additional study examined the effect of chamomile on postpartum insomnia in 80 women. The test participants were divided into two groups: one group drank chamomile for two weeks, while the other received standard postpartum care without chamomile administration. The results showed that the group that took chamomile had lower scores on the insomnia scale and also experienced fewer postpartum depression symptoms compared to the control group.

What does chamomile do in the evening?

Why is chamomile often recommended and taken in the evening? Here is the answer. Chamomile, when taken in the evening, helps promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. Thanks to its active compounds, such as flavonoids and terpenes, chamomile has a calming effect on the central nervous system, helping to reduce levels of anxiety and tension accumulated during the day. This natural sedative effect makes chamomile ideal for those who suffer from insomnia or have difficulty falling asleep, as it helps induce faster and more restful sleep. Additionally, chamomile taken in the evening can also help promote better digestion and relieve digestive issues, such as bloating and abdominal cramps, which can interfere with a good night's rest. Although its effects are generally mild, chamomile is considered a safe and natural solution to improve nighttime well-being and promote peaceful sleep.

Why does chamomile help with sleep?

Chamomile helps with sleep thanks to its active compounds, particularly apigenin, a flavonoid that binds to specific receptors in the brain, such as benzodiazepine receptors, known to promote relaxation and sedation. This calming effect reduces the activation of the central nervous system, thereby facilitating the onset of sleep. Several clinical studies have shown that apigenin has an action similar to anxiolytic drugs but with fewer side effects, making it a safe solution for those suffering from insomnia or difficulty sleeping.

What are the possible side effects of chamomile?

Chamomile is generally considered safe; in fact, it is often given to children without concern. However, like all plants, it can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, especially those allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family, such as ragweed or daisies. Chamomile may interact with the metabolism of certain medications, which is why it is important to consult a doctor before taking it if you are undergoing drug therapy.

Chamomile, lavender, and CBD for a restful sleep

In our CBNight sleep capsules, we have included four natural extracts perfect for taking care of sleep: chamomile, lavender , cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN). While chamomile promotes falling asleep by preventing any type of digestive problem, lavender, with its slightly sedative and anxiolytic effect, promotes relaxation and helps you wake up refreshed in the morning. Meanwhile, CBD takes care of rebalancing your endocannabinoid system, contributing to maintaining good sleep and restoring a regular sleep-wake cycle. The CBN, cannabinol, has a mild non-psychoactive sedative effect that promotes falling asleep. Together, these three extracts provide an effective approach to sleep better to face difficulties related to sleep, anxiety, and stress in a completely natural way. Try them!

Bibliography

El Mihyaoui A, Esteves da Silva JCG, Charfi S, Candela Castillo ME, Lamarti A, Arnao MB. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.): A Review of Ethnomedicinal Use, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Uses. Life (Basel). 2022 Mar 25;12(4):479. doi: 10.3390/life12040479. PMID: 35454969; PMCID: PMC9032859.

Zick, SM, Wright, BD, Sen, A. et al. Preliminary examination of the efficacy and safety of a standardized chamomile extract for chronic primary insomnia: a randomized placebo-controlled pilot study. BMC Complement Altern Med 11 , 78 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-11-78

Hieu TH, Dibas M, Surya Dila KA, Sherif NA, Hashmi MU, Mahmoud M, Trang NTT, Abdullah L, Nghia TLB, Y MN, Hirayama K, Huy NT. Therapeutic efficacy and safety of chamomile for state anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia, and sleep quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials and quasi-randomized trials. Phytother Res. 2019 Jun;33(6):1604-1615. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6349. Epub 2019 Apr 21. PMID: 31006899.

Mohsen Adib-Hajbaghery, Seyedeh Nesa Mousavi, The effects of chamomile extract on sleep quality among elderly people: A clinical trial, Complementary Therapies in Medicine, Volume 35, 2017, Pages 109-114, ISSN 0965-2299, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2017.09.010.

Chang SM, Chen CH. 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 Feb;72(2):306-15. doi: 10.1111/jan.12836. Epub 2015 Oct 20. PMID: 26483209.