The flowers of the Chamomile plant or camomile plant are dried and used for making tea. It belongs to the Asteraceae family of plants.
Chamomile tea is one of the teas easily available in the market and is also very famous for its health benefits. It is herbal and natural. The tea from the plant has the similar benefits as that of the plant itself.
The results of few studies have shown that the German and Roman varieties of Chamomile tea is more beneficial and contains more nutrients. Due to so many health benefits, it is being considered as one of the most popular teas.
The tea has a pleasant taste. What makes it more beneficial is the presence of flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, and other helpful antioxidants.
Health Benefits of Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea or Camomile Tea is used as a beverage, but if applied topically, it can be beneficial for solving skin disorders as well.
Some of the very important health benefits of Chamomile tea are as follows:
1) Cures Insomnia & Other Sleep Problems
Consuming chamomile tea can help to heal insomnia, and it also promotes sleep by relaxing the nerves and soothing the nervous system.
Since there is no added caffeine, it is better for drinking it before sleeping. It can have fruitful results. It offers a feeling of freshness while waking up.
Sleep disorders are also cured by drinking chamomile tea and are best recommended for people suffering from restlessness and rejuvenating sleep and other sleep disorders.
2) Regulates Diabetes
Studies have suggested that camomile tea can also play an essential role in managing the diabetes level of patients. It adjusts the blood sugar level and also controls the insulin level of the body.
The presence of strong organic chemicals in the chamomile tea plays a vital role in controlling the drops and hikes of the blood sugar level.
3) Rich Source of Anti-Oxidants
Chamomile flowers contain the terpenoid group of anti-oxidants, and also the derivatives of chamazulene and acetylene.
These compounds are delicate and unstable hence they are best in their alcoholic tincture form or essential oil form. It also contains the phenolic compounds and flavonoids.
Chamomile flowers also contain apigenin, quercetin, patuletin and several glucosides which play an essential role in fighting the free radicals and protecting the body from inflammation and damage.
Therefore, camomile tea helps to relieve pain and mood disorders thereby inducing healthy hair and skin.
4) Improves Digestion
Chamomile acts as an efficient digestive relaxant and hence is used to cure all the gastrointestinal disorders.
Since Chamomile contains anodyne compounds, it relieves constipation, cures muscle pain and other problems related to stomach. It also eliminates the acid reflux symptoms thereby solving the problem of indigestion, diarrhea, anorexia, morning sickness.
Chamomile tea is also considered to have a positive impact on curing nausea. It has natural relaxing effects.
5) Reduces Menstrual Cramps & Muscle Spasms
As per a study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Chemistry, Camomile tea has the pain relieving properties. It is beneficial for lowering the menstrual cramp as it relaxes the uterus and inhibits the prostaglandins from being produced.
The anti-inflammatory quality of serotonin helps to reduce the symptoms like mood swings, cramps, and anxiety, which is why it is beneficial during periods. It allows women to get through all the period discomfort.
6) Relieves Stress
Camomile tea has a significant role to play in healing people from stress and anxiety. It increases the serotonin and melatonin level in the body.
Serotonin and melatonin play an important role in relieving the body from stress and anxiety. It is also effective against the chronic diseases.
7) Fights against Cancer
Many recent studies have shown that Chamomile tea has anti-cancerous properties. They have proved that chamomile tea consumption can inhibit the cancerous cells from forming and also inhibits the growth of cancerous cells.
Due to the presence of apigenin in chamomile tea, it can effectively act as a natural treatment for cancer. It also fights against skin, prostate, breast and ovarian cancer.
8) Treats External Wounds
Chamomile tea is being used since the time of Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians. These people used camomile tea for its property to heal wounds.
Since it is anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial, it can help people in curing external wounds. Chamomile tea also cures problems such as psoriasis and eczema.
9) Boosts immunity
Due to the anti-bacterial characteristic of chamomile tea, it can effectively prevent and cure cough and cold. It protects the body from infections due to bacteria and illness.
Drinking chamomile tea also helps to improve the immunity system of the person and also protects the body from some microbes.
10) Cures hemorrhoids
As mentioned earlier, chamomile tea has a relaxing effect on the nerves and soothes the nervous system of the body, and It can help to cure people suffering from hemorrhoids too.
11) Treats constipation
Drinking chamomile tea can have a positive impact on your irritable bowel symptoms. It prevents the stomach bloating. It also does not allow the gas to be formed in the stomach and stops digestive tract floating. Thus, it helps to get rid of the irritable bowel syndrome.
Camomile tea also plays a vital role in curing heartburn and stomach disorders.
12) Relieves Congestion
Chamomile tea fights infections and also has the property to reduce mucus congestion. That’s the reason, It is added to nasals sprays. Hence, chamomile tea is beneficial during cold and flu. It also helps to cure the sinus infection.
Many studies have suggested that inhaling the steam of chamomile in case of sickness, can help a lot in curing the fever.
People also gargle with chamomile tea to reduce inflammation of mucous membrane and even mouth and throat infections.
13) Reduces Dark Circles under the Eye
As per Indian beauty expert, Suparna Tirkha, the chamomile tea bags when refrigerated can help to cure the dark circle under the eye. However, the chilled bags should be kept on the eye after the eye massage. It will lighten the dark circles and also remove the puffiness gradually.
14) Gets rid of Dandruff
Not only, skin and eye, but chamomile tea is also beneficial for hair too. It helps to get rid of dandruff. It stops the irritation of scalp thereby promoting healthy scalp and hair follicles.
Chamomile tea can be used as the final rinse after hair wash to ensure that the dandruff is removed.
15) Improves hair color and shine
Chamomile tea can brighten up the blonde hair immediately. It is often mixed with henna and used as a pack to offer highlight over dark hair. The final rinse of chamomile tea provides a golden shine over the brown hair.
To enhance the shine and color of the tea, chamomile tea should be used regularly as a final rinse for a particular period.
16) Improved Heart Health
Apart from being anti-cancerous, recent studies have also shown that camomile tea can offer healthy heart too.
Since it contains healthy flavonoids, regularly drinking chamomile tea reduces the risk of death due to coronary heart diseases in case of elderly men.
The study published in The Lancet suggested that 805 men aged between 65-84 years were at lower risk of any coronary heart disease due to their high flavonoid intake from foods and herbs.
17) Treats Sunburn
Sunburns are irritating and sometimes can be problematic. Chamomile tea is famous for its antioxidant, soothing and anti-inflammatory beneficial properties.
A towel should be soaked in the chamomile tea and applied to the sunburned area. It can efficiently cure the sunburn and also offer a soothing feeling.
18) Cures Ulcer Pain
Studies have also found that regular intake of chamomile tea can be beneficial to cure ulcer symptoms and pain. The anti-inflammatory property of chamomile tea helps cure the ulcer pain.
19) Reduces Acne
Drinking chamomile tea can help reduce the acne of skin. It helps to lighten the spots and inhibits the acne from forming again. Not only drinking, applying chamomile tea over the acnes can be equally helpful. It will yield fast results.
This is possible because of the anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of the chamomile tea.
Chamomile tea is often used as a natural skin bleach. You can also call it the magic potion as it helps to lighten the complexion of the skin. Drinking or applying camomile tea topically can help offer a natural glow and radiance to the skin.
20) Treats Allergies & Rashes
Chamomile tea helps to cure the rashes and allergies. It is very beneficial for the various skin disorders.
Applying the chamomile tea topically over the allergy and rashes with the help of a cotton ball can help to cure them.
Drinking it can be equally beneficial. Consuming chamomile tea relaxes the whole body system and inhibits any allergy symptom from forming within the body.
21) Protects Skin from Damage
Due to the beneficial anti-inflammatory property of chamomile tea, it fights against the free radicals and stops pre-mature aging and retains the youthful charm of the skin.
A natural facial scrub of chamomile tea can also be made for face and body. A mixture of powdered milk and chamomile tea acts as a beneficial natural scrub.
This natural scrub helps to remove all the dry skin cell and also improves the new cells for the body and face. Chamomile tea, if consumed daily can be a moisturizer for skin too.
Chamomile tea can also be added to homemade recipes to acquire more and more beauty benefits. It nourishes the skin from within. Chamomile tea also plays an important role in relaxing the tired eyes.
Side Effects Of Chamomile Tea
Excess of anything can be harmful. So is it for chamomile tea too. Despite being so healthy and advantageous, there are certain side-effects of chamomile tea also.
1) Chamomile tea consumption may affect anyone suffering from seasonal allergy symptoms. People can be sensitive to chamomile tea, so it is recommended to use it properly.
2) Chamomile tea or other chamomile products should be strictly avoided by anyone suffering from hay fever, frequent hives, and dermatitis.
Even if you start using chamomile products, it is highly recommended to consult your doctor in case you suffer from any frequent fever or allergy.
3) Too much of chamomile can also cause nauseous feeling along with vomiting. People who are allergic to daisy and aster plant may also be allergic to chamomile.
Hence, before starting the intake of chamomile tea, the health professional should be strictly consulted.
4) Chamomile is also known as a natural blood thinner. People who take blood thinner medicines should avoid taking chamomile tea.
5) Chamomile oil too is harmful. It should be applied topically but not ingested. To ensure that it does not have any negative reactions on your skin, a patch test should be conducted at home before starting the use of Chamomile products.
6) Chamomile intake also increases the risk of internal bleeding if combined with anticoagulant drugs, especially warfarin.
7) Chamomile tea, as well as chamomile products, are harmful to pregnant and breastfeeding women. Drinking chamomile tea during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage. It leads to uterine interactions which can increase the risk of miscarriage. Hence, it should be strictly avoided during pregnancy. The compounds and antioxidants present in chamomile are too powerful which can prove to be dangerous for the baby.
8) Also, regular topical usage of chamomile tea over the allergic and infected areas can worsen the symptoms and effects of the allergy.
Hence, not only is it beneficial but also harmful, only if taken in excess amount. It is suggested by experts to consume chamomile tea, with a limited amount to enjoy its benefits.
Final Thoughts
Chamomile tea has medicinal uses too. It is beneficial for hair, skin, eye and overall health.
However, studies are still being conducted to determine how effective chamomile tea is in reducing anxiety. Both, the German and Roman variety of chamomile is beneficial.
Chamomile tea is being used since ages to cure ulcers, restlessness, insomnia, anxiety. It also offers glow and shine to the skin.
Chamomile tea is a bit flavored tea which is why it is considered to be mild in taste by many people. So, make sure to drink it in moderate amount and enjoy its benefits.