After a long day, you settle on the couch with a warm blanket, a good book and a steaming cup of chamomile tea. Sounds relaxing, right? Well, it’s more than just the cozy routine that makes this moment perfect!
Chamomile boasts many surprising health benefits. It promotes better sleep and relaxation, reduces stress levels, balances hormones, relieves pain and inflammation, improves digestion, boosts skin health and aids in weight loss!
Get to know more about the delicate white flowers of chamomile and why it is a top pick in the tea infusion world!
1. Your Bedtime Hero: Chamomile for Better Sleep!
Along with kicking out some jangly nerves and putting you at perfect ease, sipping chamomile tea can also ensure better sleep quality! This is one of the natural effects of chamomile on lessening stress and anxiety.
Chamomile also contains “apigenin”, a special antioxidant that contributes to feelings of sleepiness! This antioxidant binds to special receptors in the brain — reducing insomnia and other sleep problems.
Studies show that those who took chamomile extract twice a day (for 28 days), reported falling asleep faster and had better “shut eye” quality. This convinced me to get all cozy with a cup of chamomile every night!
2. Bust the Stress Away and Drink Chamomile for Relaxation!
Chamomile tea goes even further when it comes to alleviating anxiety and settling the nerves! It acts as a natural sedative that can quickly put the mind and body at ease. It also helps women let go of spiraling thoughts and bodily tension! For these reasons, chamomile is a common aromatherapy choice for those who are suffering from stress and anxiety.
In a 2012 study, participants with anxiety were given chamomile extract every day (for 8 weeks). At the end of the study period, there was a whopping 50% reduction in anxiety symptoms!
Here’s more: Chamomile tea can also help raise serotonin and melatonin levels in the body! These two hormones work in harmony to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. The added benefits of less stress also mean that you are less likely to suffer from migraines and headaches! As your body becomes more relaxed, it also eases muscle tension. This is why chamomile is well known for reducing menstrual cramps and muscle spasms!
3. Have a Steaming Mug of Chamomile for Hormonal Balance!
Chamomile tea is often thought of as a “bedtime tea”. And yes, good sleep is important for happy hormones! But chamomile does a lot more than just help us have good dreams. This herb can also lower testosterone levels!
You see, it is crucial for women to have balanced testosterone levels to prevent symptoms of the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) — like acne, excessive hair growth (hirsutism) and irregular periods!
4. Enjoy the Benefits of Chamomile for Pain Relief!
Studies and essential oils penetrate below the skin surface — all the way into the deeper skin layers! What a superpower, right?
Because of that property, chamomile is believed to be effective in relieving arthritis, back pain, bedsores, stomach cramps and muscle spasms related to gastrointestinal inflammatory disorders!
5. Get the “Tummy Party” Started with Chamomile for Improved Digestion!
Yup, you can soothe your tummy and promote healthy digestive flow with a cup of chamomile tea! Its impressive anti-inflammatory properties reduce bloating and neutralize stomach acids. Chamomile is indeed a natural healer that can surely wash away those tummy issues!
Tip: If you want to get the best out of chamomile tea for better digestion, sip a cup thirty minutes before your meal!
6. Unleash Your Natural Glow Using Chamomile for Skin Health!
Try to look at the ingredients on creams and lotions. Chances are high that you will see chamomile listed! Studies have shown that chamomile yields positive effects on healing acne and other skin conditions!
Chamomile also brings a natural soothing feeling and can help your skin combat irritation, eye puffiness and more! It especially works on acne because of its high anti-inflammatory properties — which can prevent breakouts and skin irritations (like eczema).
So, if you have acne scars and irritated skin, do it the Roman and Egyptian way! Use chamomile to moisturize your skin and promote faster wound healing!
7. Stay Fit and Healthy: Have Chamomile for Weight Loss!
Every woman’s reason for weight loss may vary, but one thing’s for sure: We all want to shed off some pounds!
So, pour yourself a cup of chamomile tea and let this delicate little flower help you prevent unwanted weight gain!
Drinking chamomile tea can help speed up your metabolism. It works by stimulating your gastric system and getting the tummy juices flowing! Remember, gastric juices work by breaking down food, so we need to make sure they are flowing healthily for faster digestion!
Want more?
Dr. Eric Berg also said chamomile can help prevent and relieve kidney stones, ulcers and gallstones!
Watch his video to learn more about the health benefits of chamomile!
What Type of Chamomile is the Best?
There are three types of chamomile: Roman chamomile, German chamomile and Egyptian chamomile. Each type caters to specific health issues, so you must choose the type of chamomile depending on your current needs!
- Roman Chamomile: An herb native to Western Europe, distinguished from others by its thick, grey and green leaves. This type is traditionally used to treat gastrointestinal disorders like:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Vomiting
- Gas
Like most chamomiles, Roman Chamomile also helps relieve skin inflammation! In fact, the used tea bag of this variety can be your perfect undereye soothing pack — for local skin irritability, itchiness, rashes or redness!
2. German Chamomile: It comes from Europe, Western Asia, North America and Australia. The stem of this chamomile is smoother as compared to Roman chamomile. Oils made from this variety are credited for their anti-inflammatory, sedative, antispasmodic and antioxidant properties!
3. Egyptian chamomile: Native to the lush valley along the Nile River in Egypt, this variety of chamomile is considered to be the highest grade. The tea made from Egyptian chamomile has a warm, earthy flavor with a pleasant fruity aroma! Egyptian chamomile tea is deep-yellow in color and has a sweet, floral taste. The calming, soothing, refreshing infusion from this variety is best to put you to a sound, relaxing sleep!
The Best Herbs for Menopause to Balance Hormones and Relieve Symptoms!
Who Should Not Take Chamomile?
Chamomile has no known serious side effects. But like other herbs, you should try it out first and see how your body reacts.
Take a look at the list below and check if:
- You have a history of allergies to pollen. Remember, chamomile is a flower, so it could be contaminated with pollen from other plants.
- You have had previous allergic reactions to chamomile products.
- You are taking certain medications. Chamomile is thought to be contraindicated for people taking cyclosporine (a medication to prevent rejection after an organ transplant). Also, medications that are taken to thin the blood should not be taken with chamomile because it may increase the risk of bleeding.
- You have an upcoming surgery. You may also want to check in before consuming chamomile tea as it can work as a blood thinner.
- You are pregnant. Some doctors advise pregnant women to limit tea consumption to only two to three cups per day. A developing baby cannot process caffeine in their system as well as an adult.
Where to Buy Chamomile Products and How to Grow Your Own!
→ You can find chamomile products in your local supermarkets, health and wellness stores, pharmacies and online!
There are also many tea blends that can provide you with additional benefits. Chamomile tea in combination with spearmint tea may be great for women with PCOS! Spearmint tea has been repeatedly shown to have positive and therapeutic effects on this condition.
Chamomile, like many other herbs, can often be substituted with other similar herbs sold under false claims. That is why it is important to buy from a credible store, with great customer reviews, listed ingredients and quality extraction processes!
Here are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing chamomile:
• “Loose Leaf Tea”
Loose leaf tea is often a better-quality tea. It has more flavor while allowing the tea to expand and extract a wider range of vitamins, minerals and therapeutic essential oils!
• “Whole Leaf Tea”
Simply remember: The more broken down, the lower the quality. When the tea is broken into many small pieces, it leaves the therapeutic components to evaporate. On the other hand, if the tea leaves are more whole, it is more flavorful and contains more essential nutrients!
• “Natural and Unbleached” Teabags
If you decide to get a tea that comes in a teabag, selecting a brand that packages their tea in natural and unbleached teabags is best. Why? Chemicals and plastics from bleached or synthetic teabags can spread to your tea — affecting the flavor and tea quality!
• Has Weight and Smells Great!
Different types of chamomile tea may differ in their scent but often, high-quality tea smells slightly sweet, very “herby” and sometimes, has a hint of apples. Also, quality tea should have some noticeable weight when held. If the tea is feather-light, it may be dried out, old or of poor quality!
• The Bluer the Better!
This tip is something to keep in mind when buying chamomile essential oils. The blue color of the chamomile essential oil is a chemical marker of “terpenoids” and “flavonoids” — which are the important therapeutic parts of the essential oil!
Finding an effective chamomile product that tastes good is not always easy. Labels are also confusing and product marketing can often make exaggerated claims! So, why not grow your own?
Here’s a video from Epic Gardening! Learn how to grow chamomile and have a glimpse of an easy tea recipe!
Takeaway
Indeed, chamomile is an effective herbal medicine of the past with a bright future. We discussed the various health benefits of chamomile — making it a top favorite for women’s health and wellness!
This daisy-like herb is rich in powerful antioxidants and nutrients, which can support your overall health in menopause! It is safe to drink for most women and many ladies enjoy drinking it for its delicious taste and comforting aroma!
Keep supporting your body with a balanced diet and embrace a healthy lifestyle! You’ll never go wrong with the healing wonders of nature!
References
Antibacterial and antioxidant strategies for acne treatment through plant extracts – ScienceDirect
The effect of Matricaria chamomile on menstrual related mood disorders – ScienceDirect
Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future – PMC (nih.gov)
Chamomile: Benefits, Side Effects, and Preparations (vrywellhealth.com)
10 Health Benefits of Chamomile Tea (oprahdaily.com)
Chamomile Tea Benefits: 10 Reasons To Love This Ancient Drink (myteadrop.com)
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3600408/
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3198755/
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5961291/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8073060/
verywellhealth.com/roman-chamomile-4571307
Gita is the founder of My Menopause Journey. Since 2014, she has been supporting midlife women by sharing hard-earned learnings from her own experience. To advance her knowledge, Gita puts a lot of her time and effort into understanding the broad spectrum of women’s health. She immerses in extensive research about the physical, mental and emotional aspects of menopause. Gita believes in the life-changing power of healthy, holistic living — this is where she anchors her message to all women. Learn more about her marvelous mission in About us - My Menopause Journey.