A new study demonstrates what herbalists have known all along - that chamomile is clinically effective in treating anxiety.
In the study patients with mild to moderate generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) received either chamomile or placebo. Those that received the chamomile treatment were found to have a significant reduction in the severity of their GAD.
The reserchers conclude that chamomile extract is effective for treating mild to moderate GAD. The study was caried out by Amsterdam JD
et al at the Depression Research Unit, University Science Center, Philadelphia and published in August 2009. [
abstract]
Chamomile has, of course, long been prescribed by herbalists to help with anxiety, aid relaxation and soothe the stomach. Its benefits are immortalised in child folklore in The Tale of Peter Rabbit where Mrs. Rabbit gave her son, Peter chamomile tea after a close shave with Mr McGreggor. "One table-spoonful to be taken at bedtime."
