Researchers at the University Science Center, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania report results from the first randomized controlled study of Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy for generalized mild to moderate anxiety disorder.

First, the details.

• 61 outpatients with mild to moderate generalized anxiety were randomly assigned to a treatment group for 8 weeks.
  • Chamomile extract
  • Placebo therapy
• Total Hamilton Anxiety Rating (HAM-A) scores were recorded.
• Other rating measures were also recorded.

And, the results.

• There was a significantly greater reduction in the average total HAM-A score with chamomile compared to placebo.
• The other measures of improvement also showed improvement with chamomile.
• There was no difference in side effects between treatments.

The bottom line?

The authors concluded, “Chamomile may have modest anxiolytic activity in patients with mild to moderate generalized anxiety disorder.”

An earlier review concluded that chamomile lacked scientific support as an option to treat anxiety.

More studies are needed to confirm these results.

2/11/10 22:01 JR