Chamomile or camomile is a set of flowering plants, including the species Matricaria chamomilla and Chamaemelum nobile. Chamomile has been consumed for hundreds of years and today is still taken by millions as infusion of its dried flowers makes a very popular herbal tea. In herbal and traditional medicine chamomile has been used in a variety of ways. For example, mouthwash preparations have been used in attempts to treat oral diseases, ointments have been applied topically for skin conditions, aromatherapy of chamomile essence has been used for women during childbirth and it has been taken in capsule form in attempts to treat anxiety.
The effectiveness of chamomile to treat these and other conditions has been formally assessed in randomised clinical trials.
For information on the results from randomised controlled trials and a summary of the findings using meta-analysis, select a condition below and download the related fact sheet. As always, consult your physician before adding new treatments to your regimen or changing any current medication.