Preliminary examination of the efficacy and safety of a standardized chamomile extract for chronic primary insomnia: A randomized placebo-controlled pilot study

Abstract

BackgroundDespite being the most commonly used herbal for sleep disorders, chamomile's (Matricaria recutita) efficacy and safety for treating chronic primary insomnia is unknown. We examined the preliminary efficacy and safety of chamomile for improving subjective sleep and daytime symptoms in patients with chronic insomnia.MethodsWe performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial in 34 patients aged 18-65 years with DSM-IV primary insomnia for ≥ 6-months. Patients were randomized to 270 mg of chamomile twice daily or placebo for 28-days. The primary outcomes were sleep diary measures. Secondary outcomes included daytime symptoms, safety assessments, and effect size of these measures.ResultsThere were no significant differences between groups in changes in sleep diary measures, including total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency, sleep latency, wake after sleep onset (WASO), sleep quality, and number of awakenings. Chamomile did show modest advantage on daytime functioning, although these did not reach statistical significance. Effect sizes were generally small to moderate (Cohen's d ≤ 0.20 to < 0.60) with sleep latency, night time awakenings, and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), having moderate effect sizes in favor of chamomile. However, TST demonstrated a moderate effect size in favor of placebo. There were no differences in adverse events reported by the chamomile group compared to placebo.ConclusionChamomile could provide modest benefits of daytime functioning and mixed benefits on sleep diary measures relative to placebo in adults with chronic primary insomnia. However, further studies in select insomnia patients would be needed to investigate these conclusions.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01286324

Acute consumption of Peppermint and Chamomile teas produce contrasting effects on cognition and mood in healthy young adults

“…The effects of Chamomile tea on the 'calm' mood dimension were predicted and match the herbs historical reputation as a mild sedative and limited evidence from scientific investigation (Zick et al, 2011). The effect size was again moderate and reflects both an increase in calmness in the Chamomile condition combined with a decrease in the control and Peppermint conditions.…”

Clinical applications of herbal medicines for anxiety and insomnia; targeting patients with bipolar disorder

“…Recently, the authors analyzed Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) scores in the same study and reported that chamomile significantly decreased depression scores as well (Amsterdam et al, 2012). As for insomnia, one RCT in 34 patients with primary insomnia examined the effect of chamomile (Zick et al, 2011). Chamomile showed small to moderate effectsize (Cohen's d≤0.20 to <0.60) improvement on sleep latency, night time awakenings, and fatigue severity scores, but no significant beneficial effects were observed in total sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep latency, wake after sleep onset, sleep quality, and number of awakenings.…”

Chamomile Consumption and Mortality: A Prospective Study of Mexican Origin Older Adults

“…Other potential pathways include its cholesterol-lowering, antioxidant, and anti-platelet properties which may convey cardiovascular benefits; however, we did not observe a positive effect on cardiovascular disease mortality after controlling for other factors. Chamomile has also demonstrated the potential to improve daytime functioning in patients with chronic insomnia (Zick, Wright, Sen, & Arnedt, 2011). No population based studies exist examining the association of chamomile consumption with overall and cause-specific mortality.…”