Chamomile may help blood vessels relax and improve heart health

Greg Howard
22nd January, 2026

Chamomile may help blood vessels relax and improve heart health

German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

Photographer: Adéla Navrátilová

Key Findings

  • Chamomile extract lowered blood pressure in rats with artificially induced hypertension, reducing systolic and diastolic pressures to 150 mmHg and 110 mmHg respectively
  • The extract relaxes blood vessels by blocking calcium channels, with higher concentrations (60 µg/mL) reducing aortic contraction by 89.5%
  • Key compounds like apigenin-7-O-neohesperidoside within chamomile extract strongly bind to proteins regulating blood vessels, suggesting they are responsible for the blood pressure-lowering effect
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a widespread health concern, significantly increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke. Current treatments, while effective, often come with side effects, driving research into alternative and complementary therapies. For centuries, herbal remedies have been used to manage hypertension, and recent scientific investigation is increasingly validating some of these traditional practices[2]. Researchers at the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Namangan State University, recently conducted a study[1] to specifically examine the potential of Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile) extract to lower blood pressure through its ability to relax blood vessels – a process known as vasodilation. Previous research has demonstrated the antihypertensive properties of chamomile[3], with different extracts showing varying degrees of effectiveness, particularly one water-based extract showing the most promise. This new study aimed to pinpoint the mechanisms behind these effects and identify the key compounds responsible. The study employed a two-pronged approach: in vitro (laboratory experiments using tissues) and in vivo (experiments involving living organisms). In vitro experiments focused on aortic preparations – sections of the aorta, a major blood vessel – to assess how the chamomile extract impacted both voltage-gated and GPCR-mediated calcium channels. Calcium channels play a crucial role in controlling the contraction and relaxation of blood vessels; disrupting their function can lead to hypertension. The researchers found that at lower concentrations (5 µg/mL), the extract slightly increased aortic contractility, but at higher concentrations (60 µg/mL), it significantly reduced it by 89.5%. This suggests a dose-dependent effect, with higher doses promoting vasodilation. Further in vitro testing showed the extract effectively blocked contractions triggered by phenylephrine, a compound that activates GPCRs (G protein-coupled receptors) involved in blood vessel constriction. To confirm these findings in a more complex system, the team used in vivo experiments with rats whose blood pressure was artificially elevated using adrenaline. Oral administration of 40 mg/kg of the chamomile extract resulted in a substantial reduction in both systolic (150 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure. This mirrored the results observed in vitro, supporting the extract’s antihypertensive potential. A critical component of the study was identifying which compounds within the chamomile extract were responsible for these effects. Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), the researchers created a phytochemical profile, revealing the presence of several key compounds including pinocarveol, coumarin, apigenin derivatives, and dicaffeoylquinic acids. To understand how these compounds might work at a molecular level, they employed molecular docking. Molecular docking is a computational technique used to predict how well a molecule (like apigenin) binds to a target protein (like those involved in vascular regulation). This analysis revealed strong binding affinities between apigenin-7-O-neohesperidoside and other identified compounds to key vascular targets (proteins 7VFS, 8THK, and 3NOS). The consistent results from both in vitro and in vivo experiments strongly suggest that Matricaria chamomilla extract possesses significant vasorelaxant and antihypertensive properties. The researchers attribute these effects to the extract’s ability to modulate calcium channels and the presence of bioactive polyphenols and flavonoids like apigenin. This aligns with earlier research highlighting the potential role of quercetin, another polyphenol, in preventing cardiovascular disease through similar mechanisms[4]. However, the study by[4] noted that the effects of quercetin were most prominent in hypertensive patients, a finding consistent with the in vivo results of. The findings of provide a strong rationale for further investigation of chamomile extract as a potential therapeutic agent for hypertension and cardiovascular disorders linked to hypoxia (oxygen deficiency). While promising, more research, including clinical trials, is needed to determine optimal dosages, long-term effects, and potential interactions with existing medications.

HerbsMedicineHealth

References

Main Study

1) Cardiovascular effects of Matricaria chamomilla extract: calcium channel modulation and vasorelaxant activity

Published 19th January, 2026

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-025-02065-0

Related Studies

2) Discovery and resupply of pharmacologically active plant-derived natural products: A review.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2015.08.001

3) Experimental and clinical antihypertensive activity of Matricaria chamomilla extracts and their angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity.

https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6086

4) Effects of a quercetin-rich onion skin extract on 24 h ambulatory blood pressure and endothelial function in overweight-to-obese patients with (pre-)hypertension: a randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled cross-over trial.

https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114515002950


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