Chamomile tea (or camomile tea) is one of the most popular herbal teas. Its health benefits have long been advocated in traditional herbal medicine. Did you know that even the Egyptians sang of the beneficial effects of chamomile tea?
Made from picked and dried chamomile flowers, chamomile tea is said to have numerous benefits. There is a lot of research going on around the world.
Although it is a very gentle plant, side effects and allergic reactions can occasionally occur, but these are mostly seen in people who already have allergies to daisies, ragweed and chrysanthemums.
These are the main benefits of drinking chamomile tea:
- Naturally caffeine-free
Perhaps the most well-known use of chamomile tea is as a relaxation tea, in part because it is naturally caffeine-free. Since chamomile is part of the Asteraceae plant family, it is naturally caffeine-free, making it a great natural option.
In contrast, decaffeination of regular black and green tea involves the leaves undergoing chemical processes that can leave residues and affect the taste, as well as leaving small amounts of caffeine in the tea.
It is well known that to protect our long-term health, we should consume decaffeinated teas from the afternoon onwards. This is because caffeine can affect our ability to fall asleep and lead to insomnia, anxiety and high blood pressure.
- It can improve sleep
For generations, drinking a cup of chamomile tea before bed has been recommended to improve the quality and quantity of sleep.
Chamomile contains a special antioxidant compound called ‘apigenin’ which is believed to have calming effects and there are some interesting studies underway on these properties.
If you have trouble sleeping, you might want to try a chamomile-based tea like our Organic Night Sky Calm, a blend of chamomile tea and other sleep-promoting herbs like valerian and lavender. One of our newest teas, it’s proving to be a popular tea among sleepers, with people giving rave reviews about how it helps them relax and fall asleep.
- It can reduce stress and relieve anxiety
Another benefit of chamomile tea is that it can reduce stress and help with mild anxiety.
This is also due to the polyphenol “apigenin” which is believed to calm the body and help induce a feeling of calm.
Plus, since chamomile tea is caffeine-free, you can enjoy a cup of chamomile tea any time of the day when you feel like you need to relax, pause and take a breath.
Try our pure organic chamomile tea, made from high-quality, air-dried chamomile flowers.
- May Improve Heart Health
Consuming chamomile tea is also believed to help reduce the risk of heart disease.
This is in part due to its calming properties, as increased stress and anxiety can also affect the risk of heart disease.
It’s also possible that chamomile’s special antioxidants play a role in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels, although much more research is needed in this area.
- It May Improve Digestion
Another traditional use of chamomile is to aid digestion, an important aspect of our overall health and well-being.
Stress can often lead to stomach problems. Fortunately, some of the effects of chamomile tea appear to be due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which can soothe the stomach and relieve symptoms. In fact, it has traditionally been used to treat digestive issues such as cramps, indigestion, nausea, bloating, and even acid reflux.
There is increasing attention being paid to the role that digestion and gut health can play in both sleep quality and mental wellbeing.
- It can help with cramps
Chamomile is also thought to have antispasmodic properties that help relieve muscle spasms, from stomach cramps to menstrual cramps. So if you’re looking for something to help with cramps, then it might be worth trying some chamomile extract, or better yet, drinking chamomile tea.
The heat of the tea, as well as the calming and anti-inflammatory effects, could be just what your body needs.
- Can help control blood sugar
Another lesser-known aspect of chamomile tea is the role it can play in controlling blood sugar levels in the body. This makes it an ideal drink for people suffering from type 2 diabetes, for example.
There are studies that suggest that chamomile may support the production of insulin, the hormone responsible for removing sugar from the blood, thereby lowering blood sugar levels and reducing spikes after eating.
In a study of 64 diabetics, those who consumed chamomile tea with meals every day for eight weeks had significantly lower average blood sugar levels than those who consumed water.
Research continues, but perhaps this is another reason why many people enjoy drinking chamomile tea after a meal.
- Antioxidants May Boost the Immune System
You may already know that green tea, like chamomile, is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are believed to boost the immune system and protect cells from free radicals, which may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases.
Your body produces these molecules when you break down food or when you are exposed to irritants like smoke or radiation.
There are some promising smaller studies suggesting that the antioxidants in chamomile, particularly “apigenin,” may help fight certain cancers, such as thyroid and digestive tract cancer.
- It can heal and revitalize skin
Chamomile is also commonly used as an ingredient in skincare products to soothe, calm and revitalize the skin.
The practice of applying chamomile to our skin dates back to the Egyptians and Romans, who used it to stimulate skin healing. Thanks to the combination of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, chamomile is still used to soothe skin problems, from blemishes and redness to eczema and psoriasis, as well as protecting the skin from environmental damage.
Why not try using cold chamomile tea bags as an eye mask to reduce puffiness and dark circles?
