The effect of chamomile tea on anxiety and depression of postmenopausal women

Menopause is one of the most critical phases of women's life. Some women suffer from psychological problems such as anxiety and depression during this period due to the lack of estrogen. The present study was performed with aim to determine the effect of chamomile tea on anxiety and depression in postmenopausal women.

This randomized clinical trial study was performed on 68 postmenopausal women in the form of 2 groups: chamomile tea (intervention group) and control group in Ahvaz city in 2020. Data collection tool included demographic information questionnaire and depression, anxiety and stress scale DASS form with 21 questions. Chamomile tea was consumed in the intervention group and placebo in the control group 3 times a day for 8 weeks. Before the intervention, 4 and 8 weeks after the intervention, the level of anxiety and depression was measured in the two groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software (version 24) and independent t-tests, repeated measures and chi-square tests. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The results of the independent t-test showed that before the intervention, the mean anxiety score in the experimental group was 24.47±1.92 and in the control group 20.70±1.46, as well as the mean depression score in the experimental group was 24.29±1.69 and in the control group 19.23±1.28, there was no statistically significant difference in the two groups (P<0.05). The results of the paired t-test indicated that the mean score of anxiety in the experimental group 4 and 8 weeks after the intervention was 10.50±2.36 and 10.82±1.69, respectively and depression was 10.82±2.27 and 10.76±1.34, respectively, which showed a significant decrease compared to the control group that the mean score of anxiety was 21.85±1.37 and 21.73±1.52 and the depression score was 21.94±0.98 and 20.67±1.09, respectively (p>0.001).

Chamomile tea in postmenopausal women improves symptoms of depression and anxiety. In addition to being economical, the use of chamomile tea has fewer side effects compared to chemical treatments.