Chamomile tea has been cherished for centuries because of its gentle aroma and calming taste. People often have it before their bedtime, but benefits of drinking chamomile tea go far beyond just better sleep. It is a golden-color tea derive from dry chamomile flowers, with natural compounds that help in supporting your mind and body.
This flower does more than ease stress after a long day to settle an upset stomach. Chamomile tea is affordable, simple, yet easily added to your daily routine, making it one of the popular choices in herbal teas all around the world. No need for any fancy stuff, you just need dried flowers and hot water.
Promotes Better Sleep
The main reason people use chamomile tea is for better sleep, and research supports this as well. It was evident through a trial in Taiwan of postpartum women who consume chamomile tea for a period of two weeks, which shows less depression and better sleep in them.
Another meta-analysis in 2019 proves that chamomile is a safer and effective option in improving your sleep cycle, while easing the symptoms of GAD, too.
It was shown in a study that older adults who drink chamomile extract experience improved sleep patterns after four weeks. However, the tea can be a gentle cure in aiding restlessness, but it’s not a cure for severe insomnia.
Supports Digestive Health
For decades, chamomile has served to ease stomach or digestive troubles. It may also help with bloating, gas, indigestion, and even diarrhea issues. The terpenoids and flavonoids present in chamomile have properties that carry antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects that help to relax digestive muscles.
In some research, it has raised the concepts by pointing out that conditions like IBS are beneficial in terms of reducing gut inflammation.
Despite the evidence being mostly from traditional use, extracts, or animal studies rather than tea itself, there are people who still see chamomile tea as soothing for daily digestive discomfort.
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
A soothing drink to ease mild anxiety and stress, chamomile is famous all over. Though its calming effects are in support by the research. On generalized anxiety disorder, a meta-analysis was done, suggesting chamomile is responsible for improving symptoms of anxiety.
Chamomile has calming powers coming mainly from a flavonoid named apigenin. This flavonoid has a function to bind GABA receptors in your brain, which helps in slowing down the overactive nerves. Moreover, if it’s pairing with healthy habits such as limiting caffeine or mindfulness, it brings natural curative effects. Claiming not to be a cure-all, but a natural way to unwind.
Boosts Immune System
A better immune support is sometimes links with chamomile tea, perhaps not as evidently strongly as for its sleep or calming benefits. As per the reviews, chamomile has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that help the body fight against infections such as colds.
Therefore, the fighting properties in chamomile tea work against viruses, bacteria, and fungi. These effects have a role in boosting your immune system.
Improves Skin Health
For your skin health, chamomile is also valued in both ways, drinking and applying it topically(helping with mild skin irritations like sores, rashes, or sunburns. Even shown through research that chamomile compresses might heal the skin lesions faster than a hydrocortisone cream.
The compounds found in skincare products that help to soothe dermatitis or other skin concerns, chamomile has the same anti-allergy and antimicrobial properties.
Supports Heart Health
The flavones are capable of lowering LDL cholestrol and improves the overall lipid profiles. So, chamomile has a role in supporting heart health. A study conducted on people with type 2 diabetes, which found that drinking chamomile tea twice a day.
It just not only improves your blood sugar levels but also help with kidney function and cholesterol. Furthermore, the antioxidants it has helped in reducing the inflammation and protects blood vessels.
Provides Relief from Menstrual Pain
As for most of the women menstrual cramps and mood swings gets tough, but chamomile helps to ease them. A study (Niazi & Moradi, 2021) showed that chamomile capsules have reduced the emotional symptoms in PMS, along with a review on comparing chamomile extract with mefenamic acid. This has shown that it may have lessen the intensity in PMS symptoms.
The menstrual relief is even highlighted as one of the chamomile tea stronger benefits. During your cycle, drink a warm cup of chamomile tea can help you to relax your muscles, ease overall discomfort, and relax your muscles.
Supports Bone Health
Chamomile tea covers another area in bone health. It shows interesting potential through research. There are anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants present in chamomile that help to protect against bone loss, especially with conditions like osteoporosis, osteopenia, etc.
A study conducted in 2022 on rats found that chamomile extract brings a protective effect on steroid-induced osteoporosis in rats. Also, highlighted in reviews about chamomile’s role in the maintenance of bone density and reducing oxidative stress. Thus, a factor that weakens the bones with the passage of time.
However, it is not a substitute for vitamin D, calcium, or weight-bearing exercise. But if you drink chamomile on a regular basis, it might act as a simple step in supporting your bones in the long run.
Conclusion
Safe for most people, plus easily prepared, Chamomile tea is a gentle way to support many of your health matters on a milder to modest level. But if it is used on a regular basis, it tends to bring small yet meaningful improvements in dealing with your health issues.
You only have to brew and drink it. Make sure to stay mindful when consuming it, in terms of being careful of allergies or different health conditions. Especially if you’re pregnant, taking any medication, or having chronic issues. Lastly, it’s a calming option which you can safely have in your everyday routine.