Chamomile

Overview

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is a centuries-old herbal remedy revered for its calming, soothing properties. Known for promoting relaxation, better sleep, and digestive health, chamomile is a versatile herb celebrated in both traditional and modern medicine. Modern science validates many of these traditional uses, linking chamomile’s active compounds to its anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. 

Other Common Names

German Chamomile, Wild Chamomile, Manzanilla, Matricaria recutita

Top Benefits

• Promotes relaxation and stress relief

• Enhances sleep quality

• Supports digestive health

• Reduces inflammation

• Soothes skin irritations

What Is Chamomile?

Chamomile is a flowering herb that belongs to the daisy family and is native to Europe and Asia. Its dried flowers contain numerous active compounds, including apigenin, a flavonoid that binds to brain receptors to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. Chamomile is often consumed as a tea or supplement, providing a gentle yet effective option for enhancing overall well-being.

Traditionally, chamomile has been used to calm the mind, ease digestive discomfort, and reduce inflammation. Modern research has confirmed these benefits, linking chamomile to improved sleep, reduced stress, and support for gut and skin health.

Marco’s Grounds™ Chamomile Sourcing

At Marco’s Grounds™, our chamomile is sourced from a family-owned farm in Egypt, a region renowned for producing chamomile with exceptional potency and fragrance. The plants thrive in the warm, sunny climate, yielding blossoms rich in bioactive compounds like apigenin, which are key to chamomile's soothing effects.

Through meticulous drying and quality control, we preserve the natural properties of chamomile, delivering a product that promotes relaxation and well-being with every use.

Chamomile Dosing Principles and Rationale

Chamomile’s effects are most commonly experienced at doses of 200–400 mg of standardized extract daily or 1–3 cups of chamomile tea. Consistent with hormetic dosing principles (see Marco’s Grounds Dosing Philosophy), optimal benefits occur within a specific range, and higher doses may not provide additional advantages.

Chamomile is best consumed in the evening to promote relaxation and restful sleep, though it can also be taken during the day to ease stress and digestive discomfort.

Chamomile Key Mechanisms

• Relaxation and Sleep: Contains apigenin, which binds to GABA receptors and promotes relaxation [1].

• Stress and Anxiety Reduction: Exhibits anxiolytic properties by modulating the stress response and lowering cortisol levels [1, 4].

• Digestive Health: Reduces inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and soothes symptoms of bloating and indigestion [2].

• Anti-Inflammatory Benefits: Contains bisabolol and chamazulene, which reduce inflammation and oxidative stress [3, 5].

• Skin Health: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds help soothe irritation and promote wound healing [6].

Synergies with other Marco’s Grounds™ Ingredients

• GABA: Enhances relaxation when paired with chamomile.
• Magnesium: Supports chamomile’s calming and stress-reducing properties.
• L-Theanine: Amplifies chamomile’s effects on sleep and stress.

References

1. Amsterdam, J. D., Li, Y., Soeller, I., Rockwell, K., Mao, J. J., & Shults, J. (2009). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral chamomile extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 29(4), 378-382.

2. Srivastava, J. K., Shankar, E., & Gupta, S. (2010). Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future. Molecular Medicine Reports, 3(6), 895-901.

3. McKay, D. L., & Blumberg, J. B. (2006). A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of chamomile tea (Matricaria recutita L.). Phytotherapy Research, 20(7), 519-530.

4. Mao, J. J., Xie, S. X., Bowman, M. A., Silverman, M. A., & Ji, P. (2016). Clinical trial of chamomile for anxiety. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 22(1), 1-7.

5. Gupta, V., & Mittal, P. (2017). Chamomile and its medicinal properties: A review. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 11(21), 14-21.

6. Ghasemi, F., Yazdanpanah, A., & Mousavi, S. H. (2020). Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.): A review of advances in the pharmacological profile, modern applications, and new insights on therapeutic effects. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 261, 112897.