← Health · Traditional medicine
Informational only. Do not stop prescribed treatment; seek emergency care when needed.
Chamomile, a flowering plant, is used as tea. Small studies suggest a modest calming effect, but evidence for sleep is weak. Allergy to ragweed or daisies may occur. Some Ayurvedic products contain metals, and some US FDA and CDC reports indicate lead, mercury, or arsenic in products sold online. Chamomile is safe for most people, but avoid ragweed allergy. In Nepal, herbal products are registered with the Department of Drug Administration, and practitioners must register with the Nepal Ayurveda Medical Council. In India, the Ministry of AYUSH regulates Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, and Homoeopathy, with practitioners registering with the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine or the National Commission for Homoeopathy. In the UAE, complementary and alternative medicine practitioners and products need licensing by the emirate health authority. Always consult a healthcare professional before using chamomile.
Sources: SI summary (own words); NCCIH Herbs at a Glance; FDA and CDC advisories; NLM MedlinePlus (NLM-authored only) · Reference · Reference · Reference · Reference
Small studies suggest a modest calming effect; evidence for sleep is weak.
Safety: Allergy in people allergic to ragweed or daisies.
Quality concerns: Some Ayurvedic rasa shastra and bhasma products deliberately contain metals; US FDA and CDC have reported lead poisoning cases, and studies found lead, mercury or arsenic in a share of products sold online.
Flower used as tea.
Sleep, anxiety, stomach upset.
Small studies suggest a modest calming effect; evidence for sleep is weak.
Allergy in people allergic to ragweed or daisies.
Some Ayurvedic rasa shastra and bhasma products deliberately contain metals; US FDA and CDC have reported lead poisoning cases, and studies found lead, mercury or arsenic in a share of products sold online.
Blood thinners, sedatives.
ragweed allergy
Herbal products in Nepal are registered with the Department of Drug Administration (DDA). Nepal: the Department of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine (DoAA, Ministry of Health and Population) runs government Ayurveda hospitals and clinics; practitioners register with the Nepal Ayurveda Medical Council. Ask to see the council registration.
India: the Ministry of AYUSH regulates Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy; practitioners register with the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) or the National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH).
UAE: complementary and alternative medicine practitioners and products need licensing by the emirate health authority (DHA in Dubai, DoH in Abu Dhabi, MOHAP elsewhere). Check the licence on the authority's public register.
Sources: SI summary (own words); NCCIH Herbs at a Glance; FDA and CDC advisories; NLM MedlinePlus (NLM-authored only) · Reference · Reference · Reference · Reference
AlifZetta text CC BY 4.0 (own words). NCCIH, FDA and CDC are US government works (public domain), used as references.