Do you drink chamomile tea often due to its calming nature? Well, you are not alone! Chamomile tea is known around the world for being an effective stress reliever. It is made from the herb, chamomile, which comes from the Asteraceae plant family. It looks similar to a sunflower or daisy with white petals surrounding a bright yellow center.
Apart from tea, there are many products made from chamomile and its essential oil like lotions and food items that you can choose from. Chamomile tea use is prevalent in ancient medicine and it is often used for stomach issues, stress relief, and sleeplessness.
Chamomile tea is made by steeping dry petals of the chamomile plant in hot water. Chamomile contains several compounds including flavonoids and antioxidants that can benefit your health. It has soothing and healing effects on your body. Additionally, it does not contain caffeine and can be an alternative to black tea, which may have drawbacks.
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Chamomile Tea Benefits
Chamomile tea can be a relaxing treat for you after a long day. Studies show that it has a calming nature and can improve your sleep cycle and combat stress. Moreover, it is caffeine-free and has a refreshing taste and smell.
1. Helps manage diabetes
Research shows that drinking chamomile tea can lower your blood fasting blood sugar levels and can help in regulating diabetes. It can have anti-inflammatory effects on your body and help reduce swelling due to high blood sugar. Moreover, it may prevent damage to your cells from oxidative stress. Studies show that those who drank chamomile tea thrice a day for eight weeks had lower insulin levels and increased insulin activity in their body.
2. Reduces stress and improves sleep
Studies show that chamomile tea can have a calming effect on you and help reduce anxiety and stress. It is a mild sedative that can soothe your nerves and provide stress relief. A review done in 2019 concludes that chamomile tea can be effective for people with a generalized anxiety disorder. Chamomile tea is a mild sedative as it contains a flavonoid known as apigenin that can improve sleep quality and ease your stress. It is also used to improve insomnia however; it still needs more research.
3. Promotes digestive health
Chamomile tea can improve your stomach health by lowering the risk of some gastric issues. It can reduce acidity and improve digestion so it is best to take chamomile after meals to regulate bowel movement. It can also hamper the growth of bacteria in the stomach and save you from stomach infections. It can also alleviate gas and nausea, making it a great tea to promote digestion. It may also help treat stomach ulcers due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
4. Soothes menstrual symptoms
The relaxing effects of chamomile tea are not limited to sleep or mental health. It also has anti-spasmodic properties that can provide relief from menstrual cramps. Moreover, it can also reduce menstrual bleeding, which can be useful for people with dysmenorrhea. Additionally, it can reduce inflammation that occurs during menstruation, so you should definitely give it a try next time you are on your period.
5. Prevents cancer
Chamomile tea can be effective in reducing the likelihood of some types of cancer, such as thyroid, by fighting against cancer cells in your body. Furthermore, it contains several antioxidants that can help combat free radicals in your body that damage your cells and may result in cancer. Some studies define the role of chamomile and some cancers, but more research may provide a better insight into the effect of chamomile tea on cancer patients. Chamomile tea may also help relieve chemotherapy-induced nausea and make you feel better.
6. Improves heart health
Herbal teas, like chamomile, contain antioxidants and compounds that can be healthy for your heart. It can reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which are major causes of heart disease. Research shows that chamomile tea can reduce the bad cholesterol in your body and lower heart disease risk. Stress is also a contributor to heart problems and drinking chamomile tea can reduce stress, indirectly reducing the risk of heart issues.
7. Fights cold
Suffering from a cold and flu? Chamomile tea might be just what you need. It helps alleviate cold and flu symptoms due to its antiviral and anti-bacterial properties. In addition to that, it may also lower swelling in the throat and improve your condition. You can also inhale steam from chamomile tea to get relief from a runny nose or congestion. Thanks to its immunity-boosting properties, you can use chamomile tea to recover from many other diseases too.
8. Improves skin
The high antioxidant levels in chamomile tea can be beneficial for your skin as well. It can have an anti-aging effect on your skin, making it look younger because it helps with cell regeneration and prevents skin cell damage. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory agents that can reduce inflammation due to acne. You can also use chamomile tea bags to reduce dark circles under your eyes. It can also alleviate puffiness under your eyes.
9. Aids weight loss
Chamomile tea can also help with weight loss. Daily intake of chamomile tea can reduce hunger and make you eat less. It also increases gastric juices that can break down fat. However, chamomile tea alone may not reduce weight. Pair it with a healthy diet and exercise to lose weight in a healthy way.
Side Effects Of Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is generally safe to consume and not many people may experience any side effects from it. Still, it may not be suitable for everyone. Some side effects of chamomile tea are:
1. Allergies
If you are allergic to the plant family of chamomile, you may experience an allergic reaction. It can cause a severe allergic reaction including anaphylaxis shock, which needs immediate medical attention. Those allergic to chamomile should completely avoid it.
2. Medicine interactions
Chamomile tea can interact with some medicines. It can reduce iron absorption in your body and interact with anticoagulants. You should consult a doctor before taking chamomile tea if you take medicines regularly.
3. Usage in children and pregnant women
The effect of drinking chamomile tea has not been studied in young children and pregnant women, so they should avoid it to avoid any unknown side effects.
Chamomile tea may have some benefits for your health, but you should not treat it as an alternative for medical treatments. If you want to take chamomile tea for an underlying issue, you should consult your doctor before that.
How To Make Chamomile Tea
Brewing chamomile tea is a simple process but it may be subject to availability. Some people prefer freshly dried chamomile flowers, while some may use tea bags due to preference or because they do not have dried flowers available. Depending on how strong you like your tea, add one of two teaspoons of dried chamomile or tea bags in hot water and leave it for five to seven minutes. Strain the tea and it is ready to drink. You can add honey or lemon to enhance its flavors.
Conclusion
Chamomile tea is famous for its relaxing nature and is full of antioxidants that can be advantageous for your health. It has been used in traditional medicine for a long time to improve sleep issues, stress, and stomach health. Moreover, chamomile has anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties that can favor your health.
Chamomile tea helps control blood sugar spikes after meals. It has a soothing effect on your nerves and can lower anxiety and stress. Also, it can act as a mild sedative and improve your sleep. It is also used to treat insomnia, however, there are no conclusive results to determine its role in insomnia recovery.
Chamomile tea can also boost your immunity by combatting oxidative stress and free radicals in your body that can result in serious health issues, including cancer. Women on their periods can get relief from menstrual cramps and pain. It can also ease bloating and swelling due to menstruation.
On top of that, chamomile tea can be amazing for your skin as it prevents skin cell damage and promotes cell regeneration. It is also helpful in alleviating other skin conditions. Additionally, it may help lower weight and combat symptoms of cold and flu.
Chamomile tea is usually safe and may not cause any issues, however, it may not be for everyone. Severe allergic reactions may occur if you are allergic to the Asteraceae plant family, so you should avoid it in such cases. Some medicine interactions may also occur, especially with supplements and medicine to prevent blood clots.
Pregnant women and young children should avoid chamomile tea as there is not enough evidence to suggest that it is safe for them. To conclude, chamomile tea can be a healthy addition to your diet but you should take it with caution, especially if you have an underlying disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Is Chamomile Tea Good For?
Chamomile tea contains flavonoids and antioxidants and can boost your heart, skin, digestive, and menstrual health. It may also improve sleep, promote weight loss, and help reduce the risk of certain cancers.
2. Does Chamomile Tea Have Caffeine?
No, chamomile tea does not have caffeine. It is a herb belonging to the Asteraceae family of plants and is free from caffeine.
3. Does Chamomile Tea Make You Sleepy?
Yes, chamomile tea can make you sleepy thanks to the apigenin chemical in its contents. This chemical imparts a sedation effect which can make you feel drowsy similar to a tranquilizer.
4. Is Chamomile Tea Safe During Pregnancy?
Research on the safety of chamomile tea in pregnancy is inconclusive. Some state that it helps you relax and combats nausea. However, some studies show that it may cause adverse effects in the developing baby. It is recommended to ask for your healthcare provider’s approval before consuming it in pregnancy.
5. What Does Chamomile Tea Taste Like?
Chamomile tea tastes mildly sweet with subtle floral notes and hints of crisp apple. Some say it has a honey-like aftertaste and can be slightly minty at times.
6. Does Chamomile Tea Lower Blood Pressure?
According to some studies chamomile tea can reduce the risk of heart disease as it contains flavones, Â antioxidants linked to lower blood pressure. However, you should take it with caution after consulting with your physician as it may interact with blood pressure medications including blood thinners.
7. Is Chamomile Tea Good For Sore Throat?
Chamomile tea is a soothing herbal remedy for sore throat as it has anti-inflammatory effects that reduce pain, redness, irritation, and swelling. It can also make your throat less scratchy and promote tissue repair.
8. Is Chamomile Tea Good For Acid Reflux?
Chamomile tea may be effective in naturally treating digestive issues such as acid reflux thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties however there is no evidence or research to prove this theory.
9. Can I Drink Chamomile Tea While Breastfeeding?
If you are nursing, avoid taking chamomile tea as it may not be safe for the baby. The safety of chamomile tea while breastfeeding has not been established.
