Chamomile Anxiety: Is There a Medical or Chemical Explanation?

I'll wager that someone once said something along the lines of drinking chamomile tea causes cancer, and you never really thought about it until now. Some fear may have lain dormant in the back of your mind until a recent incident triggered it, causing anxiety and panic attacks. The question remains: why is this fear so intense?

The Trigger

There is likely a trigger, but only you can uncover it. I don't think it's the chamomile tea itself. You might associate it, but it's highly unlikely that it's the cause.

Natural Plant Selection

Plants have been fighting against insects for 450 million years, leading to the development of insect repellent and insecticidal properties. Some individuals may have a heightened reaction to the yet to be fully catalogued chemicals found in botanicals. A wise piece of advice is to avoid putting just any plant matter in your mouth.

Your Body is Warning You

Your body is incredibly smart and sends you a warning signal. This message reads: “Enough with the chamomile tea, please do not have another cup.” While I can't provide a medical or chemical explanation for this reaction, I strongly advise you to stop consuming chamomile tea if you experience this.

Paradoxical Response and Side Effects

Chamomile can sometimes have a paradoxical effect, much like stimulants such as Ritalin or Adderall may induce calm in those with ADHD. Additionally, Chamomile does carry known side effects. If you search for "Chamomile Side Effects," you will find a wealth of information. This article from the National Institutes of Health provides a breakdown of the compounds in Chamomile. You can research each compound individually to determine if any are causing your reaction. For further insights, you can also explore previous answers on platforms like Quora.

Compounds in Chamomile: This summary from Pub Med is particularly helpful: [Insert Link to Pub Med summary here]

It appears you may be allergic to chamomile, and should avoid using it. It's important to identify and understand the specific types of Chamomile and their potential reactions. Your body is giving you a strong signal to stop.

The key takeaway is that you should be cautious and seek medical advice if you experience severe or persistent symptoms. Until you can pinpoint the exact cause, it's wise to avoid chamomile tea.