Chamomile is a plant native to Europe and Asia, and it has been used for centuries as a herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, including insomnia and anxiety. Chamomile is often taken in the form of tea, but it can also be taken as supplements in the form of tablets. Chamomile supplements are becoming increasingly popular as a natural treatment for hot flashes.

Hot flashes. Phytoestrogen is important biological compound in Chamomile useful in the treatment of Hot flashes. Hot flashes and night sweats are common symptoms in the menopause and are caused by the decrease in estrogen level. Phytoestrogen molecule from chamomile replaces the deficient estrogen in your body and helps to decrease the hot flashes.

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Sleep problems (insomnia) Flavonoid, one of several active compounds in Chamomile, has a mild tranquilizing property, sleep-inducing properties, reduces anxiety, promotes calmness and relaxation of the body thereby inducing sleep. Chamomile extract is believed to contain an active compound that acts similar to Benzodiazepines in inducing and maintaining sound sleep in chronic insomnia cases. For menopausal women, insomnia could get better due to similar actions.

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Muscle and joint pain. Although chamomile may help in the relaxation of smooth muscles of the intestines there is no evidence in literature that chamomile eases skeletal muscle pain and joint pain.

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Vaginal Symptoms Matricaria chamomilla has phytoestrogenic properties, meaning that it has components that naturally mimic estrogen in the body. Because of this, it could be beneficial in treating vaginal athrophy (dryness) and dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse) in post menopausal women. Early recent studies have supported this claim but additional research is required.

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Chamomile interacts with cyclosporine and warfarin. Cyclosporine is commonly used in transplant patients and warfarin is a blood thinner used in many heart diseases or stroke.

Chamomile supplements are generally safe and there are few side effects when the herb is used in short term. Common side effects include nausea, dizziness, allergies, and occasionally anaphylaxis.

Alcohol is a strong sedative and so is Chamomile. That's why consuming both of these substances should be avoided to prevent excessive sedation.

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Ayurveda. Chamomile is a common herb used in Ayurveda for ages. The entire plant can be used for medicinal purposes, however, the flower is mostly used. It can be used raw as a salad or dried to be used in herbal tea. Similarly, Oil is derived from its flower. In Ayurveda chamomile has been commonly used for controlling symptoms of menopause like hot flashes and night sweats.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine. Chamomile is called Hunag Chu Ju in Chinese medicine and is popular in Chinese medicine as well. Indigestion issues, bloating, heartburn, and even peptic ulcers are the main uses in traditional Chinese medicine. However, its usefulness in reducing menopausal symptoms is not well mentioned.