Asteraceae Anxiolytics

When you see daisies, does it make you smile?  Can sniffing a marigold calm you down?  Do you like to drink chamomile tea before bed to help you sleep?  Several plants of the Asteraceae family have shown research demonstrating the ability to improve mood and cognitive health. Their aromas have shown to reduce anxiety in multiple human studies.

At Home Recipes Utilizing Asteraceae Flowers

 Chamomile & Marigold Tea

Ingredients:

• 1 Dried Marigold Flower
• 1 Dried Chamomile Flower
• 8 ounces of water
• 1 tsp of Honey

Instructions: Pour 8 ounces of hot water over flowers and steep for 5-10 minutes.  Do not over steep, as flavor can become bitter.  Strain, add honey, and drink to relax.

Note:  Fresh flowers can also be used, add twice the amount of water: 16 ounces.  Choose flowers that have been grown organically, without pesticides, or near a roadway.  Gently rinse the flowers before use.

Yarrow & Chamomile Blend for Sleep

Ingredients:

• 2 Drops of Yarrow Essential Oil
• 2 Drops of Chamomile (German preferred) Essential Oil
• Diffuser with 5 Ounces of Water

Instructions: Add the Essential oil drops to the diffuser with water; great for relaxation and sleep.

Research on the Mood Improving Effects of Asteraceae Flowers

CHAMOMILE(S) (Matricaria recutita & Anthemis nobilis)

• Chamomile may have modest anxiolytic activity in patients with general anxiety disorder.[1]
• Chamomile may have clinically meaningful antidepressant activity in those suffering from depression.[2]
• Aromatherapy massage using lavender, chamomile, rosemary, and lemon reduced anxiety and improved self-esteem.[3]
• Chamomilla had a psychostimulating effect in mice.[4]
• Chamomilla improved the degree of stress and depression in mice exposed to stressful conditions.[5]
• Roman chamomile essential oil showed a sedative, anti-inflammatory effect in rats.[6]
• Chamomile may help reduce insomnia.[7]
• Chamomile had a hypnotic activity to improve sleep in sleep-disturbed rats.[8]
• Chamomilla extract inhibit morphine dependence and expression of abstinence syndrome in rats.[9]
• Roman chamomile essential oil showed a sedative, anti-inflammatory effect in rats.[10]
• Chamomile oil may be usable for the relief of migraine pain.[11]

MARIGOLD / CALENDULA (Calendula officinalis)

• Calendula extract was found effective compared to diazepam in treating anxiety in rodents in elevated plus maze.[12]

HELICHRYSUM (Helichrysum italicum)

• Inhaling peppermint, basil, and helichrysum reduced the level of mental fatigue.[13]

COLTSFOOT (Tussilago farfara)

• Tussilago farfara showed neuroprotective activity in vitro, and could be useful for treating neurodegenerative disorders associated with inflammation, excitotoxicity, or oxidative stress.[14]

FEVERFEW (Tanacetum parthenium)

• In a systemic review of six randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials of feverfew to treat migraines, it was considered safe and effective.[15]

ELECAMPANE (Inula helenium)

• Inhalation of elecampane essential oil changed brain EEG values and could be used to improve alertness.[16]
• Stress effects on internal organs, blood, carbohydrate metabolism, and lipid peroxidation process were reduced in mice with Inula helenium. [17]

MILK THISTLE (Silybum marianum)

• In an 8-week pilot double-blind randomized trial of 35 adults, milk thistle was as effective as fluoxetine in reducing obsessive compulsive disorder.[18]

yarrow

YARROW (Achillea wilhemsii)

• Achillea wilhemsii oil has an anxiolytic effect on mice.[19]

WORMWOOD (Artemisia absinthium)

• Extract of wormwood showed good anti-depressive activity similar to the drug imipramine in forced swim tests.[20]

arnica

*Arnica and Echinacea, also of the Asteraceae family, were excluded from the list because they are listed on United Plant Savers “Species at Risk” list at:  http://www.unitedplantsavers.org/species-at-risk

References

[1] Amsterdam, J. D., Li, Y., Soeller, I., Rockwell, K., Mao, J. J., & Shults, J. (2009). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy of generalized anxiety disorder. Journal of clinical psychopharmacology, 29(4), 378.

[2] Amsterdam, J. D., Shults, J., Soeller, I., Mao, J. J., Rockwell, K., & Newberg, A. B. (2012). Chamomile (matricaria recutita) may have antidepressant activity in anxious depressed humans-an exploratory study. Alternative therapies in health and medicine, 18(5), 44.

[3] Rho, K. H., Han, S. H., Kim, K. S., & Lee, M. S. (2006). Effects of aromatherapy massage on anxiety and self-esteem in korean elderly women: a pilot study. International Journal of Neuroscience, 116(12), 1447-1455.

[4] Can, Ö. D., Özkay, Ü. D., Kıyan, H. T., & Demirci, B. (2012). Psychopharmacological profile of Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) essential oil in mice. Phytomedicine, 19(3), 306-310.

[5] Pinto, S. A. G., Bohland, E., de Paula Coelho, C., de Azevedo Morgulis, M. S. F., & Bonamin, L. V. (2008). An animal model for the study of Chamomilla in stress and depression: pilot study. Homeopathy, 97(3), 141-144.

[6] Rossi, T., Melegari, M., Bianchi, A., Albasini, A., & Vampa, G. (1988). Sedative, anti-inflammatory and anti-diuretic effects induced in rats by essential oils of varieties of Anthemis nobilis: a comparative study. Pharmacological research communications, 20, 71-74.

[7] Zick, S. M., Wright, B. D., Sen, A., & Arnedt, J. T. (2011). Preliminary examination of the efficacy and safety of a standardized chamomile extract for chronic primary insomnia: a randomized placebo-controlled pilot study. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 11(1), 1.

[8] Shinomiya, K., Inoue, T., Utsu, Y., Tokunaga, S., Masuoka, T., Ohmori, A., & Kamei, C. (2005). Hypnotic activities of chamomile and passiflora extracts in sleep-disturbed rats. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 28(5), 808-810.

[9] Gomaa, A., Hashem, T., Mohamed, M., & Ashry, E. (2003). Matricaria chamomilla extract inhibits both development of morphine dependence and expression of abstinence syndrome in rats. Journal of pharmacological sciences, 92(1), 50-55.

[10] Rossi, T., Melegari, M., Bianchi, A., Albasini, A., & Vampa, G. (1988). Sedative, anti-inflammatory and anti-diuretic effects induced in rats by essential oils of varieties of Anthemis nobilis: a comparative study. Pharmacological research communications, 20, 71-74.

[11]  Zargaran, A., Borhani-Haghighi, A., Faridi, P., Daneshamouz, S., Kordafshari, G., & Mohagheghzadeh, A. (2014). Potential effect and mechanism of action of topical chamomile (Matricaria chammomila L.) oil on migraine headache: A medical hypothesis. Medical hypotheses, 83(5), 566-569.

[12] Anita, R., & Chander, M. Pharmacological and Phytochemical Evaluation of Calendula officinalis Linn. For Anti-Anxiety Activity.

[13] Varney, E., & Buckle, J. (2013). Effect of inhaled essential oils on mental exhaustion and moderate burnout: a small pilot study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 19(1), 69-71.

[14] Cho, J., Kim, H. M., Ryu, J. H., Jeong, Y. S., Lee, Y. S., & Jin, C. (2005). Neuroprotective and antioxidant effects of the ethyl acetate fraction prepared from Tussilago farfara L. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 28(3), 455-460.

[15] Ernst, E., & Pittler, M. H. (2000). The efficacy and safety of feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.): an update of a systematic review. Public health nutrition, 3(4a), 509-514.

[16] Sowndhararajan, K., Cho, H., Yu, B., Song, J., & Kim, S. (2016). Effect of inhalation of essential oil from Inula helenium L. root on electroencephalographic (EEG) activity of the human brain. European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 8(4), 453-457.

[17] Nesterova, I., Zelenskaia, K. L., Vetoshkina, T. V., Aksinenko, S. G., Gorbacheva, A. V., & Gorbatykh, N. A. (2002). Mechanisms of antistressor activity of Inula helenium preparations. Eksperimental’naia i klinicheskaia farmakologiia, 66(4), 63-65.

[18] Sayyah, M., Boostani, H., Pakseresht, S., & Malayeri, A. (2010). Comparison of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. with fluoxetine in the treatment of Obsessive− Compulsive Disorder. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 34(2), 362-365.

[19] Majnooni, M. B., Mohammadi-Farani, A., Gholivand, M. B., Nikbakht, M. R., & Bahrami, G. R. (2013). Chemical composition and anxiolytic evaluation of Achillea Wilhelmsii C. Koch essential oil in rat. Research in pharmaceutical sciences, 8(4), 269.

[20] Mahmoudi, M., Ebrahimzadeh, M. A., Ansaroudi, F., Nabavi, S. F., & Nabavi, S. M. (2009). Antidepressant and antioxidant activities of Artemisia absinthium L. at flowering stage. African journal of Biotechnology, 8(24).

By: Kathy Sadowski, MS in Aromatherapy, RA, LMT, RYT

This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use. These statements are not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any diseases. The information at this page has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Consult a Doctor before using herbs and essential oils if you have medical conditions, are taking medications, or have questions.

2/7/2018