Chamomile: The Brain Hug

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Chamomile: The Brain Hug

Chamomile Oil: The Brain Hug You Deserve for PMS and PMDD

Chamomile tea has long been celebrated for its soothing effects, and research reveals that the concentrated extract of this flower may be effective in alleviating menstrual-related mood disorders! Let’s take a closer look at why chamomile oil could be exactly what your brain needs.

What Do The Studies Show?

Scientific studies have demonstrated chamomile’s power in PMS and menstrual-related mood disorders.

A 2019 review that analysed 8 different studies concluded that chamomile was effective in alleviating PMS symptoms1.

A randomised, placebo-controlled trial with 110 women found that chamomile extract significantly reduced the severity of menstrual-related mood disorder symptoms including anxiety, low mood and irritability, when compared to a placebo2.  Another study found that chamomile eased emotional symptoms, notably anger3.

And guess what? Chamomile’s magic isn’t just about moods – another study showed it can also help reduce cyclical breast tenderness4.

How Chamomile Works: GABA and the HPA axis

The exact mechanisms behind chamomile’s effects on emotional symptoms are still being studied, however we have some insights from in vitro studies on neurones and in animals5-8.

Chamomile contains a flavonoid (plant compound) called apigenin, which has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Once in the brain, apigenin interacts with GABA receptors, which play a key role in reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation. By modulating neural activity, chamomile helps to calm the nervous system, which can ease mood symptoms such as anger, irritability and anxiety.

Apigenin has also been shown to influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis - the system in your body responsible for regulating stress responses.

Both of these mechanisms are especially helpful for those suffering from PMDD, where we have a lot of evidence that both the GABA system and HPA-axis are pieces of the puzzle in the underlying biological mechanisms10.

There’s also lots of evidence showing that chamomile can reduce anxiety in general - so, even on those days when PMS or PMDD isn’t in the picture, you can still rely on chamomile extract for a brain hug11.

Chamomile In Supplements
Chamomile extract isn’t widely available, but for those looking to try it’s benefits – you’re in luck. DITTO’s Cycle Supplement includes 110 mg of concentrated chamomile extract, in the form of oil within the outer capsule!

  1. Khalesi ZB, Beiranvand SP, Bokaie M. Efficacy of Chamomile in the Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome: A Systematic Review. J Pharmacopuncture. 2019;22(4):204-209
  2. Najafi Mollabashi E, Ziaie T, Bostani Khalesi Z. The effect of Matricaria chamomile on menstrual related mood disorders. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol X. 2021;12:100134.
  3. Sharifi F, Simbar M, Mojab F, Majd HA. Comparison of the effects of Matricaria chamomila (Chamomile) extract and mefenamic acid on the intensity of premenstrual syndrome. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2014;20(1):81-88.
  4. Saghafi N, Rhkhshandeh H, Pourmoghadam N, et al. Effectiveness of Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) extract on pain control of cyclic mastalgia: a double-blind randomised controlled trial. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2018;38(1):81-84.
  5. Salehi B, Venditti A, Sharifi-Rad M, et al. The Therapeutic Potential of Apigenin. Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(6):1305.
  6. Losi G, Puia G, Garzon G, de Vuono MC, Baraldi M. Apigenin modulates GABAergic and glutamatergic transmission in cultured cortical neurons. Eur J Pharmacol. 2004;502(1-2):41-46.
  7. Yi LT, Li JM, Li YC, Pan Y, Xu Q, Kong LD. Antidepressant-like behavioral and neurochemical effects of the citrus-associated chemical apigenin. Life Sci. 2008;82(13-14):741-751.
  8. Zhang L, Lu RR, Xu RH, Wang HH, Feng WS, Zheng XK. Naringenin and apigenin ameliorates corticosterone-induced depressive behaviors. Heliyon. 2023;9(5):e15618.
  9. Hantsoo & Epperson. Allopregnanolone in premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): Evidence for dysregulated sensitivity to GABA-A receptor modulating neuroactive steroids across the menstrual cycle. Neurobiol Stress. 2020
  10. Bixo et al.  Effects of GABA active steroids in the female brain with a focus on the premenstrual dysphoric disorder.  J Neuroendocrinol. 2018
  11. Saadatmand S, Zohroudi F, Tangestani H. The Effect of Oral Chamomile on Anxiety: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials. Clin Nutr Res. 2024;13(2):139-147.
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