بابونہ · Matricaria chamomilla, babuna
Mixed evidence
Gentle and pleasant, with a couple of decent trials at extract strength.
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A daisy-like flower drunk as tea for centuries and sold here as babuna.
A small number of randomised trials of a standardised extract found reduced symptoms in generalised anxiety disorder, with benefit holding over months in one longer study. More than most herbal teas can claim, though still a small evidence base. Tea is far weaker than the extracts studied - which does not make a warm cup at night worthless.
Trials used around 500 to 1,500 mg daily of a standardised extract. A cup of tea delivers a fraction of that.
Recorded because a person who has decided to try something will find a number somewhere, and a forum's number is worse than a trial's. It is not a recommendation, and the right amount for you depends on things only a doctor who knows your history can weigh.
Avoid if allergic to ragweed, daisies or marigolds - same family, and reactions can be severe. May add to warfarin and to sedatives. Best avoided in pregnancy at extract strength.
Babuna is cheap and in every pansari shop. As tea it is a good, safe evening habit; treat strong extracts as a different thing.
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