Chamomile tea has been a natural remedy for centuries. The herb chamomile, with its daisy-like flowers, is related to the Asteraceae plant family. To make the tea, the flowers are dried and then infused into hot water.
This tea is naturally caffeine-free, and a great alternative to green or black tea.
Chamomile tea is not just great for its earthy, sweet taste, but it is loaded with antioxidants that can protect you from different illnesses, such as cancer and heart disease. However, this tea can also help you sleep better and aid with your digestion.
In this article, the five most beneficial health advantages of chamomile tea will be discussed.
The health advantages of chamomile tea
1 Sleeping better
As chamomile tea is packed with antioxidants, in particularly apigenin, which works by blocking off certain receptors in your brain that lessens the chances for insomnia or promoting sleepiness. In fact, those that drank chamomile tea twice daily for a period of a month will fall asleep faster and will have less nighttime awakenings than those that do not drink this tea.
Therefore, do drink a cup of chamomile before bedtime, if not to sleep better, then for the refreshing taste.
2 Getting your digestion moving
Chamomile tea does more than just smooth the stomach, and some digestive problems like gas and nausea. This tea can reducing the risk of certain gastrointestinal conditions and protect against stomach ulcers and diarrhea. Chamomile tea does that since it has anti-inflammatory effects on the digestive system. In addition, since the tea reduces the acidity in the stomach and it inhibits the growth of bacteria that could lead to an ulcer.
Cancer protection
The antioxidants, like apigenin, can do more than just letting you sleep better, but it could even reduce the risk of some sorts of cancers. What this tea does is to fight cancer cells located in the digestion tract, skin, and breast, uterus, prostate and thyroid.
To get these benefits you will need to chamomile tea twice to six times per week. However, more research is needed to before these claims can be verified.
3 Controlling your blood sugar levels
The anti-inflammatory effects of chamomile tea has the potential to lower your blood sugar levels by preventing damage to the cells in your pancreas. The pancreas makes your insulin, which is the hormone that removes sugar from your blood. What research has indicated is that drinking chamomile tea daily with your meals can lower the blood sugar levels.
4 Healthy heart
Another antioxidant found in chamomile tea, flavones, has the possibility to lessen blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which in turn will lead to a healthy heart. In fact, chamomile tea has been found in some studies to mend cholesterol, triglyceride and bad cholesterol levels.
5 Other benefits of chamomile tea for your health
Chamomile tea can boost your immune system by not only preventing colds, but also to treat them and soothing a sore throat. This tea is used by people that suffer from depression and anxiety, due to its anti-inflammatory abilities but also as part aromatherapy.
Chamomile tea helps your skin by moisturizing and reducing inflammation of the skin.
You can use this tea to make your bones stronger. This is as chamomile tea prevents bone loss that could lead to osteoporosis.
The bad side of chamomile tea
Although drinking chamomile tea is safe to drink in general, some people might be allergic to the tea. These people are allergic to the Asteraceae type of plants like chrysanthemums or even ragweed.
You could develop conjunctivitis, which is an inflammation of the lining of the eye, if cosmetic products that have chamomile as an ingredient gets in contact with the eye.
Closing remarks
If you want to drink something that is not just refreshing, but packed with powerful antioxidants that could protect you from health issues like heart problems and cancer, then you should be drinking chamomile tea.
More research is needed to confirm most of the benefits of this delicious, aroma filled tea. Until then, enjoy a cup with your meals as many people have been doing for centuries.
