RESEARCH

RESEARCH #1

Chamomile is a gentle herb that has a calming effect. It promotes relaxation and sleep. A 2016 study  found chamomile tea to be useful in improving the quality of sleep in postnatal women. It also lessened symptoms of depression.

Although there isn’t a typical dose for chamomile, you can use it a few ways:

• use dried chamomile flowers to make tea

• steep prepared tea bags sold at your local grocery store

• inhale or apply diluted chamomile essential oil to your skin

• apply as a topical plant tincture

• take in tablet or capsule form

• aids in digestion

• soothes and heals skin

• relaxes muscles

• relieves headaches

You may also find that chamomile:

You shouldn’t use chamomile if you’re allergic to rag or anything else in the daisy family, as you might also be allergic to chamomile. So consult your doctor or an allergist before use.

RESEARCH #2

Chamomile formulations such as tea and essential oil aromatherapy have been used to treat insomnia and to induce sedation," says Michael Breus, PhD, a psychologist and board-certified sleep specialist. 

Chamomile is particularly effective at making you feel sleepy because of its chemical structure. The plant extract contains apigenin, a chemical compound that induces sleepiness when it binds to the GABA receptors in the brain. 

GABA receptors are the same receptors that bind to benzodiazepines, which are commonly used as anti-anxiety drugs because they have a calming effect. Similarly, when the apigenin in chamomile binds to GABA receptors, it has a sedative and relaxing effect — that's why chamomile tea can make you feel sleepy. 

According to Breus, you should drink one cup of chamomile tea about 45 minutes before bed if you're hoping to induce sleepiness. That will give your body enough time to metabolize the tea, and the chemical compounds that cause those sedative feelings to kick in. 

RESEARCH #3

In fact, chamomile is commonly regarded as a mild tranquilizer or sleep inducer.

Its calming effects may be attributed to an antioxidant called apigenin, which is found in abundance in chamomile tea. Apigenin binds to specific receptors in your brain that may decrease anxiety and initiate sleep