Paul Johnston is the founder and master herbalist of The Herb Prof, with decades of clinical experience in naturopathic medicine, herbal remedies, detoxification and holistic wellness. After overcoming his own serious health challenges, he now dedicates himself to helping others reclaim their health naturally.
When it comes to chamomile vs lavender, these are the two most widely used herbs for relaxation in the world and for good reason. Both have centuries of traditional use, both are backed by modern clinical research, and both genuinely work. But they work differently, suit different situations, and have distinct strengths that make one a better choice depending on what you need. This chamomile vs lavender guide breaks down the science, the traditional uses, and the practical differences so you can make an informed choice, or use both to maximum effect.
What Are Chamomile and Lavender?
Chamomile is a flowering herb in the daisy family (Asteraceae). Two species are used medicinally: German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). German chamomile is the most widely researched and the species used in the majority of clinical studies. It produces small white daisy-like flowers with a sweet, apple-like fragrance and is most commonly consumed as a tea.
Lavender is a flowering herb in the mint family (Lamiaceae). The most medicinally significant species is English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), which produces the highest quality essential oil and has the most extensively documented therapeutic profile. It is used primarily in aromatherapy, as an essential oil, and increasingly as an oral preparation.
Both herbs have been used for relaxation, anxiety relief, and sleep support for thousands of years across multiple cultures. Their active compounds, mechanisms of action, and ideal applications differ significantly.
History and Traditional Use
Chamomile
Chamomile is one of the oldest documented medicinal herbs in the world. Ancient Egyptians dedicated it to the sun god Ra and used it to treat fevers and as an embalming oil. Greek physicians including Dioscorides documented its use for headaches, kidney and liver disorders, and nervous complaints. Roman soldiers carried dried chamomile flowers on military campaigns to treat wounds and reduce fever.
In medieval Europe, chamomile was one of the nine sacred herbs of the Anglo-Saxons, used extensively in monastery gardens as a general restorative and digestive remedy. By the 17th century, Nicholas Culpeper described it as a herb that “comforts both the head and brain” and recommended it specifically for anxiety, insomnia, and nervous exhaustion. Chamomile tea became a staple of European domestic medicine, a tradition that has continued unbroken to the present day.
Lavender
Lavender’s history is equally ancient and arguably more culturally widespread. The name derives from the Latin lavare (to wash) reflecting its central role in Roman bathing culture. Roman soldiers used lavender water to clean wounds and added it to communal baths. The ancient Greeks used it to scent temples and ward off evil spirits.
During the medieval plague epidemics, lavender was tied to wrists and held to the nose by physicians visiting the sick, an instinctive use of its genuine antimicrobial properties. In 16th and 17th century Europe, lavender water became the most fashionable perfume of the aristocracy. Queen Elizabeth I consumed lavender conserve daily for migraines, and Queen Victoria used lavender water extensively throughout her reign.
In traditional herbal medicine systems from European phytotherapy to Ayurveda, lavender has been consistently prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, headaches, and nervous exhaustion, the same conditions it is now studied for in clinical trials.
Active Key Compounds and How They Work
Understanding the chemistry in this chamomile vs lavender comparison explains why they work and why they suit different applications.
Chamomile
Apigenin is the most important active compound in chamomile for relaxation. It is a flavonoid that binds to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain. This is the same receptors targeted by pharmaceutical anti-anxiety drugs like diazepam. It produces a calming, mildly sedative effect without the dependency risk of pharmaceutical benzodiazepines.
Bisabolol (also known as levomenol) is a terpene alcohol with significant anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties. It contributes to chamomile’s effectiveness for digestive relaxation and its ability to reduce physical tension alongside psychological anxiety.
Chamazulene is produced during the steam distillation of chamomile essential oil and gives it its characteristic deep blue colour. It has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and contributes to chamomile’s effectiveness for conditions where inflammation and anxiety overlap, including irritable bowel syndrome, eczema aggravated by stress, and tension headaches.
Lavender
Linalool is the primary active compound in lavender and one of the most extensively studied terpenes in pharmacology. It modulates glutamate receptors and voltage-gated ion channels in the central nervous system, producing anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), sedative, and analgesic effects. Critically, linalool is effective via both inhalation and oral consumption, meaning lavender works both as aromatherapy and as an ingested preparation.
Linalyl acetate works synergistically with linalool, enhancing its calming effects and contributing to lavender’s characteristic sweet, floral scent. Together, linalool and linalyl acetate produce effects that have been compared in clinical trials to pharmaceutical anxiolytics.
Camphor is present in smaller amounts in English lavender and in larger, less therapeutically desirable amounts in French and Spanish lavender varieties, one reason English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the preferred species for therapeutic use.
What the Research Says
Chamomile Clinical Evidence
The strongest clinical evidence for chamomile is in generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). A landmark randomised controlled trial published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology (Amsterdam et al., 2009) found that chamomile extract significantly reduced anxiety symptoms in patients with GAD compared to placebo, the first double-blind trial to establish chamomile as a clinically meaningful anxiolytic.
A follow-up long-term study by the same team (2016) found that chamomile not only reduced GAD symptoms during treatment but significantly reduced the rate of relapse when taken long-term, a finding with important implications for anyone using chamomile as an ongoing anxiety management tool rather than an acute remedy.
For sleep, a 2017 randomised controlled trial published in Phytomedicine found that elderly patients taking chamomile extract twice daily showed significantly improved sleep quality compared to placebo, with effects sustained over the four-week study period.
Lavender Clinical Evidence
Lavender has the most robust clinical evidence base of any herb for anxiety. The standardised oral lavender oil preparation Silexan (80mg daily) has been studied in multiple high-quality randomised controlled trials and found to be as effective as lorazepam (a pharmaceutical benzodiazepine) for generalised anxiety disorder, without the sedation, dependency risk, or cognitive impairment associated with lorazepam.
A 2014 meta-analysis reviewing multiple lavender aromatherapy trials found consistent, statistically significant reductions in anxiety across diverse patient populations including pre-operative patients, dental patients, and people with chronic anxiety conditions.
For sleep, multiple trials have confirmed that lavender aromatherapy improves sleep quality, increases slow-wave sleep duration, and reduces night waking. A 2015 study found that college students using lavender aromatherapy showed improved sleep quality and reduced daytime fatigue over a five-week period.
For blood pressure and heart rate, a 2012 study found that lavender aromatherapy produced significant reductions in systolic blood pressure and heart rate during acute stress, an effect not demonstrated with chamomile in equivalent studies.
Chamomile vs Lavender
| Criteria | Chamomile | Lavender |
|---|---|---|
| Primary mechanism | Apigenin binds benzodiazepine receptors | Linalool modulates glutamate receptors |
| Best form | Tea, extract | Essential oil, oral preparation, tea |
| Anxiety relief | Clinically proven, moderate effect | Clinically proven, strong effect |
| Sleep support | Strong – especially for falling asleep | Strong – especially for sleep quality |
| Digestive relief | Excellent – antispasmodic | Mild |
| Blood pressure | Minimal evidence | Clinically proven reduction |
| Skin benefits | Anti-inflammatory, wound healing | Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory |
| Taste | Pleasant, apple-like, easy to drink | Floral, can taste soapy if overused |
| Safety | Very safe, mild allergen risk | Very safe, mild hormonal activity |
| Best time to use | Evening, before bed, after meals | Any time – morning spray, evening bath, bedtime pillow mist |
When to Choose Chamomile
Chamomile is the better choice when:
- You want a warm, comforting evening ritual. Chamomile tea is one of the most soothing bedtime drinks available
- You experience anxiety alongside digestive symptoms like bloating, cramping, irritable bowel, or nausea that worsens with stress. Chamomile’s antispasmodic properties address both simultaneously in a way lavender cannot
- You prefer to ingest your relaxation remedy rather than use aromatherapy
- You are looking for gentle, long-term anxiety management. The clinical evidence for chamomile’s long-term anti-relapse effect in GAD is particularly compelling
- You have sensitive skin that benefits from chamomile’s anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties
- You want something with a mild, universally pleasant taste that is easy to drink daily
When to Choose Lavender
Lavender is the better choice when:
- You need fast-acting anxiety relief. Lavender aromatherapy produces measurable effects within minutes of inhalation, making it the better choice for acute stress, panic, or pre-event anxiety
- You want to lower your heart rate and blood pressure during stressful situations. The cardiovascular evidence for lavender is stronger than for chamomile
- You prefer aromatherapy over ingestion. Lavender works powerfully via inhalation and does not require you to drink anything
- You want a versatile remedy that works as a pillow spray, bath addition, diffuser oil, facial mist, and oral preparation all in one herb
- You struggle with sleep quality rather than just falling asleep. Lavender’s effect on slow-wave sleep depth is particularly well documented
- You want to use your herb topically for skincare, hair care, or minor wound care alongside its relaxation benefits
Using Chamomile and Lavender Together
The most effective chamomile vs lavender approach for many people is not choosing between the two but using both strategically. They work through different mechanisms, chamomile primarily via the benzodiazepine receptor pathway and lavender via glutamate receptor modulation, meaning they complement rather than duplicate each other.
A practical combined routine:
- Morning: lavender water facial mist or a drop of lavender essential oil on the wrists to manage daytime stress
- Evening: a cup of chamomile and lavender tea (equal parts dried chamomile flowers and lavender buds, steeped for 7–10 minutes) 30–45 minutes before bed
- Bedtime: lavender pillow spray for sleep quality
This approach delivers the digestive and long-term anxiety benefits of chamomile alongside the fast-acting, sleep-deepening, and cardiovascular benefits of lavender, a genuinely complementary combination that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Safety and Precautions
Both herbs are among the safest available and are well tolerated by the vast majority of people.
Chamomile:
- Generally very safe for daily long-term use
- Allergic reactions are possible in people with allergies to related plants in the Asteraceae family (ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds) – patch test or start with a small amount
- May enhance the effects of blood-thinning medications – consult your doctor if you take warfarin or similar drugs
- Safe during pregnancy in normal culinary amounts – avoid medicinal doses
Lavender:
- Generally very safe for topical and aromatherapy use
- Oral use in medicinal amounts, consult a doctor if you take sedative medications, as lavender may enhance their effects
- Some research suggests mild oestrogenic activity, people with hormone-sensitive conditions should seek medical advice before regular medicinal use
- Avoid undiluted essential oil on skin, always dilute in a carrier oil for topical application
- Safe during pregnancy in normal aromatherapy amounts, avoid high-dose oral preparations
Before You Go – Chamomile vs Lavender
Both chamomile and lavender are exceptional herbs that have earned their reputations over thousands of years of use and decades of modern research. Chamomile excels as a gentle, warming, digestive and long-term anxiety remedy. Lavender excels as a fast-acting, versatile, and powerfully calming herb for acute stress, sleep quality, and cardiovascular calm. Used together, they cover almost every dimension of relaxation and stress relief that an herbal approach can offer.
If you would like to explore lavender further, our Lavender Water: Benefits, Uses and How to Make It at Home guide covers everything you need to make and use lavender preparations at home. For a practical way to use both herbs together tonight, our Lavender Tea Recipe: Benefits, Blends and How to Make It includes a chamomile and lavender blend that is one of the most effective natural sleep teas you can make.
References – Chamomile vs. Lavender
Little Herb Encyclopedia, by Jack Ritchason; N.D., Woodland Publishing Incorporated, 1995
The Ultimate Healing System, Course Manual, Copyright 1985, Don Lepore
Planetary Herbology, Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., Lotus Press, 1988
Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, by James A. Duke, Pub. CRP Second Edition 2007
The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, Published by Dorling Kindersley
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Frequently Asked Questions – Chamomile vs. Lavender
Which is better for anxiety chamomile or lavender?
Both are clinically proven for anxiety relief but work differently. Lavender produces faster results and has stronger evidence for acute anxiety reduction and blood pressure lowering. Chamomile has stronger evidence for long-term generalised anxiety disorder management. For immediate relief, reach for lavender. For daily long-term support, chamomile is an excellent choice.
Which is better for sleep chamomile or lavender?
Both improve sleep, but in different ways. Chamomile is particularly effective for helping you fall asleep, its apigenin compounds produce a mild sedative effect that makes it ideal as a bedtime tea. Lavender is particularly effective for improving sleep quality and depth once you are asleep. Used together, they address both aspects of sleep.
Can I use chamomile and lavender together?
Yes, and this is often the most effective approach. They work through different mechanisms and complement each other well. A chamomile and lavender tea blend drunk 30–45 minutes before bed, combined with a lavender pillow spray, covers both falling asleep and sleep quality simultaneously.
What is the best way to use chamomile for relaxation?
Chamomile tea is the most effective and evidence-backed delivery method. Use 1–2 teaspoons of dried German chamomile flowers per cup, steep for 7–10 minutes covered, and drink 30–45 minutes before bed or after meals for digestive and anxiety relief.
What is the best way to use lavender for relaxation?
For acute anxiety, lavender essential oil inhalation, directly from the bottle or in a diffuser, produces the fastest results. A lavender pillow spray applied 10–15 minutes before bed is highly effective for improving sleep quality and depth. For ongoing anxiety management, a daily cup of lavender tea or a standardised lavender supplement provides consistent support.
Are chamomile and lavender safe for children?
Both are generally considered safe for children in appropriate amounts. Chamomile tea in small amounts is suitable for children over two years old. Lavender aromatherapy is safe for children but keep essential oil away from young children’s skin unless diluted. Always consult a paediatric healthcare provider before giving herbal remedies to young children regularly.
Do chamomile and lavender interact with medications?
Chamomile may enhance the effects of blood-thinning medications. Lavender may enhance the effects of sedative medications and anti-anxiety drugs. If you take any prescription medications, consult your doctor before using either herb in medicinal amounts regularly.