The National Institute of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has proven that chamomile, long used as a folk remedy for anxiety, stress and tension, is a statistically effective treatment.

*The text below is from their website:


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Study Shows Chamomile Capsules Ease Anxiety Symptoms Chamomile

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has a wide array of psychological and physical symptoms. Although prescription drugs can help, they often have undesirable side effects. Many people experiencing symptoms of anxiety do not seek medical attention, turning instead to alternatives. One traditional remedy in widespread use is the herb chamomile. However, scientific evidence to support the use of chamomile for anxiety has been lacking.

NCCAM-funded researchers at the University of Pennsylvania recently conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to test the effects of chamomile extract in patients diagnosed with mild to moderate GAD. For 8 weeks, the 57 participants received either chamomile capsules containing 220 mg of pharmaceutical-grade extract from Matricaria recutita (German chamomile), standardized to 1.2 percent of the constituent apigenin; or chamomile-scented placebo capsules containing lactose. The initial dose of one capsule daily was increased to two capsules daily at week 2; dosages were then adjusted incrementally (up to five capsules) in some participants. Researchers used the Hamilton Anxiety Rating (HAM-A) and other tests to measure changes in anxiety symptoms over the course of the study; dosage adjustments were based on HAM-A scores.

Compared with placebo, chamomile was associated with a greater reduction in mean HAM-A scores-the study’s primary outcome measure. The difference was clinically meaningful and statistically significant. Chamomile also compared favorably with placebo on other outcome measures (although the differences were not statistically significant), and was well tolerated by participants.

These results suggest that chamomile may have modest benefits for some people with mild to moderate GAD. As this was the first controlled trial of chamomile extract for anxiety, the researchers note that additional studies using larger samples and studying effects for longer periods of time would be helpful. They also point out that other chamomile species, preparations (e.g., extracts standardized to constituents other than apigenin), and formulations (e.g., oil or tea) might produce different results.
Reference

* Amsterdam JD, Yimei L, Soeller I, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 2009 Aug;29(4):378-382.

Have a forgiving view of events and people.

Accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world.

Have an optimistic view of the world.

This is the most recent installment in an ongoing series elaborating on 52 proven stress relievers identified by researchers at Texas Woman’s University.

Learn NEVER to say or do that which will not improve the situation.

Forget about counting to 10.

Count to 1,000 before doing something or saying anything that could make matters worse.

This is the most recent installment in an ongoing series elaborating on 52 proven stress relievers identified by researchers at Texas Woman’s University.

Take a lunch break.

Get away from your desk or work area in body and mind, even if it’s just for 15 or 20 minutes.

Your health and productivity will improve.

This is the most recent installment in an ongoing series elaborating on 52 proven stress relievers identified by researchers at Texas Woman’s University.

View additional videos and learn more by going to:

www.bringchange2mind.org

Learn to delegate responsibility to capable others.

And then allow them to do the job that you know they are capable of doing.

Let it go!

This is the most recent installment in an ongoing series elaborating on 52 proven stress relievers identified by researchers at Texas Woman’s University.

Fighting the stigma of mental illness…

For additional videos and information, go to:

www.bringchange2mind.org

If an especially unpleasant task faces you, do it early in the day and get it over with, then the rest of your day will be free of anxiety.

This is the most recent installment in an ongoing series elaborating on 52 proven stress relievers identified by researchers at Texas Woman’s University.

Allow yourself time - everyday - for privacy, quiet, and introspection.

This is the most recent installment in an ongoing series elaborating on 52 proven stress relievers identified by researchers at Texas Woman’s University.

When you are busy with a project, concentrate on doing only that project. Forget about everything else you have to do. Live, BE, in the moment.

This is the most recent installment in an ongoing series elaborating on 52 proven stress relievers identified by researchers at Texas Woman’s University.