Chamomile tea is a popular beverage with a number of health benefits.
Chamomile is a herb derived from the Asteraceae plant family's daisy-like flowers. It has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for a variety of health problems.
Chamomile tea is made by drying the flowers and then infusing them in hot water.
Chamomile tea is popular for its earthy, slightly sweet flavour and as a caffeine-free alternative to black or green tea.
Furthermore, chamomile tea is high in antioxidants, which may help to lower your risk of a variety of diseases, including heart disease and cancer.
1. Sleep Quality Could Improve
Chamomile has properties that may help with sleep and digestion.
This article will go over five possible health benefits of drinking chamomile tea.
Chamomile has some unique properties that may help you sleep better.
It contains apigenin, an antioxidant that binds to certain receptors in your brain that may promote sleepiness and reduce insomnia, or the inability to sleep on a regular basis (1, 2).
In one study, postpartum women who drank chamomile tea for two weeks reported better sleep quality than those who did not. They also had fewer symptoms of depression, which is frequently associated with sleep issues (3).
Another study discovered that people who took 270 mg of chamomile extract twice daily for 28 days woke up 1/3 less and fell asleep 15 minutes faster than those who did not take the extract (4).
SUMMARY
These findings are promising, but more research is needed to determine the extent of chamomile tea's sleep effects. Nonetheless, if you have trouble falling or staying asleep, drinking chamomile tea before bed is definitely worth a shot.
2. Digestive Health May Be Improved
Proper digestion is critical to your overall health.
According to limited evidence, chamomile may be effective in promoting better digestion by lowering the risk of certain gastrointestinal conditions.
Several studies have found that chamomile extract has the potential to protect mice from diarrhoea. This is because of its anti-inflammatory properties (5, 6).
Another study in rats discovered that chamomile can help prevent stomach ulcers by reducing acidity in the stomach and inhibiting the growth of bacteria that contribute to ulcer development (7).
Despite these findings, more human research is required to confirm the role of chamomile in digestion.
Nonetheless, there are numerous anecdotal claims that drinking chamomile tea relieves stomach pain. It has traditionally been used to treat a variety of digestive issues, including nausea and gas (1).
SUMMARY
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, chamomile tea may protect against diarrhoea, stomach ulcers, nausea, and gas.
3. May Help Prevent Certain Types of Cancer
Chamomile tea's antioxidants have been linked to a lower risk of certain types of cancer.
Apigenin, an antioxidant, is found in chamomile. Apigenin has been shown in test-tube studies to fight cancer cells, particularly those of the breast, digestive tract, skin, prostate, and uterus (8, 9, 10).
Furthermore, in one study of 537 people, those who drank chamomile tea 2–6 times per week were found to be significantly less likely to develop thyroid cancer than those who did not drink chamomile tea (11).
These findings are encouraging, but more high-quality human research is needed before we can draw any conclusions about chamomile tea's role in cancer prevention.
SUMMARY
Apigenin, an antioxidant found in chamomile tea, may help reduce inflammation and the risk of several types of cancer.
4. Blood Sugar Control May Benefit
Consuming chamomile tea may help to lower blood sugar levels.
Its anti-inflammatory properties may protect pancreatic cells from damage caused by chronically elevated blood sugar levels (1).
Your pancreas' health is critical because it produces insulin, the hormone responsible for removing sugar from your blood (1).
In one study of 64 diabetics, those who drank chamomile tea with their meals daily for eight weeks had significantly lower average blood sugar levels than those who drank water (12).
Furthermore, several animal studies indicate that chamomile tea may significantly lower fasting blood sugar levels, and it may also be beneficial in preventing blood sugar spikes after eating (13, 14, 15).
The majority of the evidence for chamomile tea's role in blood sugar control comes from animal studies. Nonetheless, the findings are encouraging (16).
SUMMARY
The anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile tea may aid in blood sugar control, particularly when consumed with a meal.
5. May Benefit Heart Health
Flavones, a type of antioxidant, are abundant in chamomile tea.
Flavones have been studied for their ability to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, both of which are important indicators of your risk of heart disease (17, 18).
In one study of 64 diabetic patients, those who drank chamomile tea with meals had significant improvements in total cholesterol, triglyceride, and "bad" LDL cholesterol levels when compared to those who drank water (12).
More research is needed to confirm chamomile tea's role in promoting heart health but including it in your diet can't hurt.
SUMMARY
Chamomile is high in flavone antioxidants, which may help improve heart health.
Other Potential Health Advantages
The following chamomile tea health benefits are mostly anecdotal and not supported by scientific research:
- Improves immune health: Chamomile tea is frequently promoted as a strategy for preventing and treating the common cold, but evidence to support this claim is lacking. It is also said to be beneficial for sore throats (1).
- Reduces the severity of anxiety and depression: There is some evidence that chamomile may reduce the severity of anxiety and depression, but this is mostly based on using it as an aromatherapy or as a supplement (1, 6, 19, 20).
- Enhances skin health: It has been reported that applying chamomile to the skin through cosmetic products such as lotions, eye creams, and soaps may be moisturising and beneficial in reducing skin inflammation (6, 21, 22).
- Prevents bone loss: Some claim that chamomile tea can help prevent bone loss, which can lead to conditions like osteoporosis. However, the evidence for this is flimsy (1).
Although there is no evidence to support these health claims, that does not mean they are false. They have simply not been studied yet, but they may be in the future.
SUMMARY
There is no strong evidence that drinking chamomile tea improves immune, bone, or skin health at this time. Furthermore, research on its role in anxiety and depression is lacking.
Chamomile Tea's Negative Effects
Chamomile tea is generally safe to drink for the majority of people.
There have been reports of chamomile allergies, which are most likely to occur in people who are allergic to daisy family plants like ragweed and chrysanthemums (1).
Furthermore, chamomile-containing cosmetics may irritate the eyes if they come into direct contact with them. This can result in conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the lining of your eye (1).
It is also important to note that the safety of drinking chamomile tea in young children, pregnant or nursing women, and people with liver or kidney disease has not been established.
Nonetheless, there have been no reports of chamomile tea causing life-threatening adverse reactions or toxicity.
SUMMARY
Although some people may be allergic to chamomile, it is generally safe to drink. The occurrence of negative side effects is extremely rare.
In conclusion
Chamomile tea is a nutritious beverage.
It is high in antioxidants, which may have a number of health benefits, including lowering the risk of cancer and heart disease.
Although the research on chamomile tea is promising, there haven't been enough studies to draw any conclusions about its health benefits.
Many chamomile tea studies have been conducted in animals and test tubes, and the results cannot be extrapolated to humans.
Nonetheless, chamomile is extremely safe to drink, and many people enjoy it for its delectable taste and soothing aroma.
If you want to investigate the potential benefits of chamomile tea, it is definitely worth including in your diet.
