Chamomile Shown to Help Those with Both Anxiety and Depression

by | Jan 12, 2021 | 2020, Botanicals, Depression

Written by Jessica Patella, ND. This study suggests that an oral extract of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) can function both as an anxiolytic and antidepressive in subjects with  comorbid generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and depression.

botanicals - chamomileAnxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 18.1% of the population 1. GAD refers to anxiety without a known cause and effects 6.8 million Americans 1.  GAD frequently occurs with depression and although there have been advances in pharmaceutical drugs that treat both anxiety and depression, a large segment of the population declines treatment and seeks more natural options 2,3.  Chamomile has been used for centuries traditionally for anxiety 2,4.  Previous research has found chamomile extract to be beneficial for anxiety 5, in response an additional study took place to examine chamomile extract on individuals diagnosed with both anxiety and depression 2.

Participants were 18 years or older (45.7 +/- 15.3 years; 66% female) with a primary diagnosis of GAD (DSM-IV-TR; severity at least GAD-7).  The 7-item generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7; 10 or greater indicating moderate anxiety) rating was used, along with the clinical global impression severity (CGI/S; 4 or greater indicating moderately ill).  Subjects were subcategorized into GAD without depression (n=100) and GAD with depression (n=79).

All 179 participants received initial therapy with open-label chamomile extract (500 mg capsules for a total of 1500mg/day) for 8-weeks.  At the end of 8-weeks 50% or greater reduction in GAD-7 score, plus a final CGI/S score of 1 (normal), 2 (borderline) or 3 (mild symptoms) were considered responders and continued with chamomile for an additional 4-weeks.  This was followed by randomization into either a chamomile group or placebo to understand relapse prevention of GAD 2.

The findings were as follows:

  • Subjects with co-morbid depression had significantly higher average GAD-7 score (p=0.029), Hamilton rating scale for anxiety (HRSA; p=0.012) and Hamilton rating scale for depression (HSRD; p<0.001).
  • There was no statistically significant difference in change overtime in anxiety between the subgroups (anxiety alone vs anxiety with depression) during 8-weeks of chamomile therapy.
  • Both subgroups saw a decrease in anxiety during the 8-week open label therapy (mean change from baseline GAD only -8.90 (95%CI -9.8 to -8.1) and GAD with depression -9.48 (-10.4 to -8.6)).
  • GAD with co-morbid depression showed significant reductions over time for depression measured by the HSRD versus GAD subjects without depression (p=0.023).
  • No differences in relapse from randomization were noted.

In conclusion, chamomile has been shown to have anti-anxiety effects and also demonstrated a substantial decrease in depression symptoms in participants with both depression and anxiety.  This was a small preliminary study and future trials of subjects with primary depression are needed to validate these results 2.

Source: Amsterdam, Jay D., Qing S. Li, Sharon X. Xie, and Jun J. Mao. “Putative antidepressant effect of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) oral extract in subjects with comorbid generalized anxiety disorder and depression.” The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 26, no. 9 (2020): 815-821.

© Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Posted January 12, 2021

Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.

References:

  1. Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). ADAA Facts and Statistics. 2014; https://adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics. Accessed December 28, 2020.
  2. Amsterdam JD, Li QS, Xie SX, Mao JJ. Putative Antidepressant Effect of Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) Oral Extract in Subjects with Comorbid Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, NY). 2020;26(9):813-819.
  3. Wang PS, Lane M, Olfson M, Pincus HA, Wells KB, Kessler RC. Twelve-month use of mental health services in the United States: results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of general psychiatry. 2005;62(6):629-640.
  4. Salamon I. Production of chamomile, Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert, in Slovakia. Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants. 1992;1(1-2):37-45.
  5. Amsterdam JD, Li Y, Soeller I, Rockwell K, Mao JJ, Shults J. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy of generalized anxiety disorder. Journal of clinical psychopharmacology. 2009;29(4):378.