Does drinking chamomile tea from the comfort of your couch sound like the epitome of relaxation to you? Besides promoting sleep, chamomile tea has some other health benefits that might surprise you. Consider heart health, digestive health, and mental health, just to name a few. Read about the benefits and risks of chamomile tea research.
Photo recipe: Herbal chamomile health tonic
What is chamomile tea?
Chamomile is a type of flower that is often dried and used in herbal teas. It has been in use for centuries, with reports of its use dating back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine (NCCIH). Both are plants of the Asteraceae family, so they resemble daisies. Chamomile tea features a gentle floral scent and a soothing honey scent. Easily available at many grocery stores.
7 Health Benefits of Chamomile Tea
1. It has the effect of improving the quality of sleep
Chamomile’s most widely touted effect is for sleep.But what about research? Well, the 2019 meta-analysis and systematic review Phytotherapy research In fact, chamomile was found to improve sleep quality and generalized anxiety disorder. However, it had no effect on insomnia or state anxiety.
A 2022 study found that poor sleep quality may increase the risk of anxiety states and depression. BMC Medical EducationTherefore, the improved sleep quality promoted by chamomile tea may have long-term effects on mental health.
2. May improve cancer-related health complications
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, according to. American Cancer Society. Needless to say, cancer complications can negatively affect quality of life.
A 2023 systematic review has been published. Integrated cancer treatment Chamomile may be an adjunctive therapy that helps reduce some cancer-related health complications. The study found that chamomile helped effectively reduce oral mucositis, skin complications, depression, and vomiting in cancer patients. It also helped improve my appetite and quality of life. The studies in this review used various forms of chamomile, including mouthwashes, topical materials, teas, capsules, syrups, and aromatherapy massage, so we cannot say that all of these effects are specifically applicable to chamomile tea. .
3. May Promote Digestive Health
One of the most popular uses of chamomile worldwide is to promote gastrointestinal health. 2022 review life Examples range from nausea relief in Spain to gastrointestinal pain relief in Turkey. It is said to relieve symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and reduce inflammation. integrative medicine. In addition, it also acts as an antispasmodic, reducing stomach cramps that cause diarrhea.
However, many studies on this subject have been done in mice or rats, so further studies in humans are needed to validate the benefits of chamomile for digestive health.
4. May reduce diabetes-related health complications
by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention According to the CDC, having diabetes puts you at a higher risk of other complications such as vision loss, heart disease, and chronic kidney disease. Thanks to its antioxidant properties, chamomile tea may help with diabetes-related health complications.
2020 systematic review Complementary therapy in medicine They found that chamomile helped reduce oxidative stress and kidney and liver complications and improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes.
Chamomile is rich in phenolic compounds and terpenoids. And according to a 2022 study, Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disordersa 2022 study found that these compounds may serve as herbal treatment options for diabetes. Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders.
5. May Promote Heart Health
Another benefit of chamomile found in the 2020 review referenced above was an improved lipid profile. High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, so chamomile tea may improve heart health as a result.
Additionally, a small study in 2023 found that Pakistan Medical Association Journal Participants who took a blend of saffron and chamomile twice daily for 1 month in addition to their usual medications had lower levels of cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and depression. was found to be significantly superior to the level of A control group continued to take the drug regularly but did not drink the tea. We don’t know if chamomile caused these improvements because tea also contains saffron, but research shows that chamomile may benefit heart health.
6. May Improve Symptoms of Depression
As mentioned above, chamomile may improve symptoms of depression. Poor sleep quality is associated with depression, so the positive effects of chamomile on sleep quality may also reduce the risk of depression.
Furthermore, although research is limited, a 2016 study found that Advanced Nursing Journal Drinking chamomile tea was found to improve physical symptoms of sleep deprivation and depression in postpartum women compared with controls after two weeks. This finding was not true at four weeks of follow-up, so the researchers believe the effects were immediate and short-lived.
7. May ease menstrual symptoms
No one likes stomach cramps and depression before their period. Fortunately, chamomile may help.2019 review of drug puncture journal They conclude that chamomile may be an effective herbal remedy for premenstrual syndrome due to its anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, sedative, and anxiolytic properties.
The studies in this review used different forms of chamomile, including teas, capsules, extracts, and oils, so I’m not sure if tea alone provides all these benefits.
Who should not drink chamomile tea?
Although chamomile tea has some potential health benefits, certain groups should be careful with its consumption. These include:
- people with certain allergies: The NCCIH warns that people with allergies to chamomile and related plants such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds and daisies should avoid chamomile due to the risk of allergic reactions. Reactions can be mild, such as watery eyes and runny nose, or severe, causing anaphylaxis.by American Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, signs of anaphylaxis include difficulty breathing, hives, swelling, and fainting. In the event of a severe reaction, it is important to call 911 immediately.
- people taking certain medications: According to NCCIH, chamomile may interact with certain medications such as warfarin and cyclosporin. Therefore, if you are taking any of these medications, chamomile he recommends consulting your doctor before consuming tea or other chamomile products.
- Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding: According to NCCIH, there are limited studies on the safety of drinking chamomile tea during pregnancy or breastfeeding. In general, it is best to exercise caution and consult your healthcare provider before drinking chamomile tea while pregnant or breastfeeding.
How long before bed should I drink chamomile tea for better sleep?
Many people recommend drinking chamomile tea 30-45 minutes before bed to give your body time to metabolize the nutrients and take advantage of them. However, there is not enough research to provide specific recommendations on when and how often chamomile tea should be consumed for sleep benefits. If you tend to wake up to urinate in the middle of the night, you may want to drink it a little earlier in the evening to prevent extra trips to the bathroom that will interfere with your sleep.
FAQ
Can chamomile tea help detox the body?
Detoxification has become a popular trend, and the liver and kidneys, when healthy, are great organs for natural detoxification. Chamomile tea doesn’t help detox the body because the body’s organs are great at detoxifying themselves, but it may help reduce inflammation due to its antioxidant properties.
Is it okay to drink chamomile tea every day?
For most people, drinking chamomile tea is completely safe and may promote many aspects of wellness, including digestive health, sleep quality, and mental health. People with allergies or taking certain medications such as warfarin and cyclosporine should avoid chamomile tea as it can cause allergic reactions or interfere with the action of these medications. is needed. Also, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you may want to avoid chamomile tea due to limited research on its safety.
What is the best way to make chamomile tea?
There are several ways to make equally delicious chamomile tea. Chamomile tea is sold in tea bags and can be steeped in water and drunk. This is the simplest and easiest. Chamomile can also be purchased dried or fresh and in combination with other ingredients such as ginger, lavender, and rosemary.
Does chamomile tea make you sleepy?
Many people rely on chamomile tea for its supposed sleep benefits. Although this study shows that chamomile may improve sleep quality, it does not support the idea that chamomile tea helps with insomnia.
What other healthy teas are there besides chamomile?
Like chamomile tea, many other herbal teas contain health-promoting antioxidants and other potential health benefits. Our favorites include sage, green tea, peppermint and ginger.
Conclusion
Chamomile tea is not only relaxing, but also works as an adjunctive therapy for various health problems such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and depression. If you have allergies or take certain medications, you may want to avoid chamomile, but if not, it’s a safe, delicious, and budget-friendly tea to add to your pantry. Sho. You can steep regular tea bags and add honey, or use the recipe to make your own lavender chamomile herbal tea.
