Chamomile is the obvious choice for anxiety. It is cheap, safe, easy to find, and can be effective. That said, a herb like chamomile is unlikely to be truly miraculous for treating severe anxiety and panic attacks. Just like Celexa and the other SSRI’s, and Valium, chamomile is only a crutch, only a temporary relief. It has not been found to treat the cause or provide any long term solution. The only long term solutions I have seen evidence of come from talking therapies such as CBT and psychotherapy.
Chamomile has been found to aid sleep and provide relaxation, but that does not mean it will snap you out of a panic attack (although it might well help, and the reason for that might be that doing something to distract yourself often does lessen anxiety.) It can also be used in a bath, which also seems to relax people.
The bottom line is that while chamomile is no doubt a nicer, safer thing to take than much of the medication available for anxiety, there is no such thing as a free lunch. It is not likely to be as effective as stronger prescription medicine, which of course in turn does not work for everyone.
For a bit of insomnia I would personally give chamomile 3/5.
As a solution to anxiety or panic attacks I would give it 1/5.
If you do decide to give it a whirl then try various amounts, and both tea and tablet form. Try flavouring it with honey as well. Whatever you do, don’t eat lots of dried flowerheads of chamomile. It can make you vomit!
Also read: Anxiety Disorder Herbal Remedies
