German Chamomile: Uses, Safety, & More

German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is an herbal "cure-all" that's been used for thousands of years. Today, chamomile is a popular supplement for irritated skin, anxiety, and insomnia. However, research is somewhat limited.

German chamomile is a flowering plant in the Asteraceae family. The herb smells slightly like an apple, which may explain its name—chamomile is Greek for "ground apple."

Uses of German Chamomile

Some clinical trials suggest German chamomile may be beneficial for sleep disorders, anxiety, and wound healing. Here's a look at the scientific evidence.

Insomnia

German chamomile may be best known as a sleep aid, but there needs to be more solid research supporting its effectiveness for this indication.

A study was conducted in older adults in nursing homes. Sleep quality improved when participants were given 400-milligram capsules of German chamomile twice a day for four weeks, compared to those who didn't receive any treatment.

Another study was conducted in people assigned female at birth who had just given birth. It found that those who drank one cup of chamomile tea a day for two weeks had fewer sleep problems and symptoms of depression compared to a control group that didn't drink the tea. However, the improvement disappeared four weeks after the women stopped drinking the tea.

Anxiety

Limited research has shown German chamomile may have benefits when it comes to reducing anxiety, but more robust clinical trials are needed.

For example, in one study, chamomile was shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in 58% of people who took it.

Adults with GAD were given 1,500 milligrams (mg) of German chamomile for 12 weeks. There were then assigned to another 26 weeks of chamomile treatment or a placebo.

Those taking long-term chamomile had fewer GAD symptoms at the end of the trial, but there wasn't a significant decrease in relapse rate.

Wound Healing

Topical (on the skin) chamomile may help speed wound healing. However, more research is needed to determine its effectiveness.

Chamomile compresses were applied twice a day to lesions around stoma sites proved superior to 1% hydrocortisone ointment in one study.

The wounds treated with chamomile healed five to six days faster than those treated with hydrocortisone, and resulted in less pain and itching.

More studies are needed.

Additional Uses

German chamomile has also been studied for the following conditions, though the research is minimal:

• Aging skin
• Swelling and inflammation of the mouth due to cancer treatments
• Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy
• Digestive issues
• Breast pain related to menstrual cycles
• Knee osteoarthritis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Migraine without aura
• Neuropathy
• Gingivitis
• Type 2 diabetes

More well-designed studies on German chamomile's effectiveness are needed to recommend it for any of these uses.

What Are the Side Effects of German Chamomile?

Your provider may recommend taking German chamomile for anxiety, sleep, or another condition.

However, consuming an herb like chamomile may have potential side effects. These side effects may be common or severe.

Common Side Effects

Generally, German chamomile is considered safe when used as directed.

Side effects may include the following:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Allergic reactions
• Inflammation if applied directly to the eye

Severe Side Effects

Anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction is possible with chamomile.

Please seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms of a severe allergy.

Precautions

People with allergies to the following plants in the same family (aster) as chamomile are more likely to have allergic reactions to it:

• Ragweed
• Marigold
• Chrysanthemum
• Daisy

Also, note that, in general, the safety of supplements in pregnant people, nursing mothers, and children has not been well established.

Dosage: How Much German Chamomile Should I Take?

There is no standard dosage of chamomile. Dosages used in studies vary.

For instance, 400 milligrams (mg) twice daily has been studied to improve sleep quality in older adults.

And 1,500 milligrams of German chamomile extract were taken daily for up to 38 weeks in a clinical trial for anxiety in adults.

What Happens If I Take Too Much German Chamomile?

German chamomile appears safe for adults at high doses of up to 1,500 milligrams daily for up to 38 weeks.

Similar rates of side effects were seen in people who took chamomile and placebo (around 8%), and all side effects were mild.

No toxicity data are available for doses higher than this or for chamomile that is used longer than 38 weeks.

Interactions

Chamomile interactions with the following medications have been reported:

• Warfarin-increased risk of bleeding
• Cyclosporine

In addition, ingredients in German chamomile have been found to inhibit liver enzymes called cytochrome P450. Medications that are broken down by these enzymes may be affected by chamomile. A few examples of these medications include the following:

• Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
• Gemfibrozil
• Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• St. John's wort

How to Store German Chamomile

Store German chamomile according to product directions, away from children and pets.

Discard after one year or as directed on the package.

Similar Supplements

Other supplements that are touted for sleep disturbances include:

• Melatonin
• Valerian
• Cannabidiol
• Lavender
• Kava kava

Some other herbal supplements that might be beneficial for anxiety are:

• Ashwagandha
• Passionflower
• Valerian
• Lemon balm
• Peppermint

And physical activity, in particular aerobic exercise or "cardio," has been shown to lower stress as well.

Sources of German Chamomile & What to Look For 

The FDA has designated German chamomile and its essential oil and extracts as generally regarded as safe (GRAS).

The flowering tops of the chamomile plant are used to make teas, liquid extracts, or capsules.

The herb can also be applied to the skin as a cream, ointment, or orally as a mouth rinse.

Food Sources of German Chamomile

Chamomile tea is a popular tonic promoted to help with anxiety or sleep. It has even been added as an ingredient in beer.

German Chamomile Supplements

German chamomile is available in many different supplement forms, including the following:

• Dried flower heads
• Extracts
• Tinctures
• Capsules
• Essential oil, used alone or as an ingredient in skincare products, perfume, massage oil, and toothpaste

To ensure the best quality, look for a product tested by a trusted independent party, like USP, ConsumerLab, or NSF.

Summary

Despite its long history of use in herbal medicine, there needs to be more scientific research to support German chamomile.

Limited studies suggest it may benefit anxiety, insomnia, and wound healing. However, more robust clinical trials are needed before it can be routinely recommended.

Side effects aren't common and are generally mild, but long-term safety data is unknown.

Also, we don't know whether German chamomile is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

As with any supplement, discuss German chamomile with your healthcare provider to see if it may benefit you.