Benefits of Chamomile Tea And Its Side Effects
Last Updated: Jun 27, 2020
Chamomile has been used as a medicinal herb for centuries. Due to its sweet fragrance and soothing flavor, people started drinking it as tea. Apart from being refreshing and extremely aromatic, chamomile tea comes packed with various nutrients that offer many health benefits
The health benefits of chamomile tea include its ability to prevent cell mutation, lower inflammation, fight depression and anxiety. It also helps in relieving constipation, stomach pain and cramps. Chamomile tea heals leaky gut and other gut related problems.
It promotes healthy skin, helps fight cancer, maintain healthy gums and teeth. Chamomile tea also improves the health of the heart, improves digestion and prevents various gastrointestinal disturbances, such as vomiting, gas, indigestion diarrhea, etc.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile is the name of a daisy look-alike plant. Etymologically, the term ‘chamomile’ means earth apple. Its scientific name is Matricaria Chamomilla. Chamomile is also considered to be a miraculous herb that contains many valuable properties which are beneficial for the health. This potentially magic herb has been used for thousands of years to deal with various health issues.
Chamomile tea is generally golden in color and has a unique flowery and sweet flavor to it. There are two types of chamomile, which are, Roman Chamomile and German Chamomile. It is the German chamomile that has been studied and used the most in dealing with skin or digestive issues.
Nutritional Value of Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea contains 36 flavonoids and 28 terpenoid compounds. This herb also contains various healing components like mucilage and coumarins. All of these therapeutic compounds make the chamomile tea a great reservoir of amazing properties like antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, astringent, anti-ulcer properties.
There is no caffeine present at all in chamomile tea. It also contains small amounts of minerals and vitamins, such as calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese and vitamin A. The carbohydrates present in a normal cup of chamomile tea provides up to 10 KJ of calorie.
Nutritional facts Per 1 cup
Health Benefits of Chamomile Tea
Prevents Sleeping Disorders
Chamomile tea has analgesic properties which help to relax, calm the nervous system and induce sleep. Hence, drinking chamomile tea is very favorable for those people who suffer from restlessness during nap time. Even chamomile tea works wonders for those who are struggling with sleeping disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea. Thus, it is recommended to have a warm cup of chamomile tea just before sleeping to have a peaceful night of sleep.
Boosts Immunity
Chamomile tea is also considered to be one of the most inexpensive and easiest means of boosting the immunity power our body. Chamomile tea contains the phenolic compound which has a protective quality to ward off bacterial infection, hence promoting the immunity of the body.
Helps Fight Stress
Drinking chamomile tea regularly helps in keeping anxiety and stress problem at bay. The anti-oxidant agents present in chamomile tea, like acetylene, chamazulene etc. help in promoting relaxation and fighting stress. Apart from dealing with stress and anxiety, chamomile tea also helps in treating insomnia. Similar to peppermint tea, chamomile tea works great wonders in reducing the irritability of the nerves and relaxes the stressed muscles.
Beneficial For Diabetics
Chamomile tea is an age-old therapeutic herb that has also been very helpful for those who are diabetic. There are certain curative compounds present in chamomile tea that help to maintain any major drop or surge in blood sugar level, thus maintaining the quantity of insulin in the blood. However, it is advisable to consult the doctor before starting this herbal regime.
Helps Prevent Stomach Disorders
Chamomile tea is a great solution for those people who often suffer with stomach problems, such as bowel syndrome, bloating problem etc. Chamomile tea contains anti-inflammatory properties which are very helpful for comforting and curing different types of gut problems.
Aids During Menstruation
Chamomile tea can be a lifesaver for ladies during their painful days of menstruation. During menstruation, most of the women go through various problems such as sweating, stomach ache, bloating, mood swings, cramping etc. The soothing, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile tea help to reduce inflammation and ease muscle pain. They also help in relieving the body and mind during menstrual problems.
Beneficial During Cold
Chamomile tea is great remedy during cold weather. When people suffer from cold, sore throat or nasal congestion, it becomes a daily horrid affair, and then drinking a hot cup of chamomile tea can spell its charm quickly and effectively. Inhaling the steam of chamomile tea can also be of great help during such situations.
Helps During Allergies
From ancient times till date, chamomile tea is found to work like magic. Being a fountain of curative properties, it can be a quick-fix for treating rashes, wounds, skin burns, cuts, and allergies. A cotton ball dipped in chilled chamomile tea can soothe the allergy-prone area. It makes the healing process of the affected areas faster. Skin irritation caused by sun burns can also be soothed using chamomile tea.
Strong Cleansing Agent
Chamomile tea has strong cleansing agent. It’s toning; moisturizing and antioxidant properties boost the overall skin texture and promote acne free, luminous skin. Even when it comes to fighting against the acne invasion or making the acne spots fade away, chamomile tea can do wonders. Chamomile tea can also be used as a facial scrub and as skin bleach. The anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile tea help in reducing skin damages like redness, swelling and pimples.
Beneficial To The Hair
Chamomile tea not only benefits the skin but also benefits the hair immensely. It prevents problems, such as dandruff and itching scalp. It also helps in brightening the hair color thereby adding an extra shine and smoothness to the hair. Having chamomile tea regularly can provide all these benefits to our hair. Chamomile tea helps in nourishing the hair from within and minimizing the risk of split ends.
Helps Prevent Hemorrhoids
Drinking chamomile tea helps in treating and preventing hemorrhoids due to its soothing properties that calm the nervous system. Hemorrhoids can be caused due to various factors such as constipation, diarrhea, portal hypertension, etc. Possessing multiple calming and curative properties, regular intake of chamomile tea helps in calming the antispasmodic, digestive and antirheumatic issues.
Helps Fight Cancer
According to recent research, chamomile tea has the potential to treat cancer. However, this information is still not 100% accurate as the research is still in process. Drinking chamomile tea has shown remarkable results in treating cancerous tumor growth. It is believed that it is due to the presence of an anti-oxidant agent called apigenin, the inhibition of cancerous cells becomes possible.
Uses of Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is widely used as an herbal drink with lots of health benefits to offer. Be it at home or in restaurants, the tea preparation using the dried chamomile flowers is considered to offer a feeling of tranquility and calmness. Possessing antispasmodic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, use of a hot cup of chamomile tea is quite popular to find relief from the feeling of overwork, tiredness, anxiety, and fever or cold.
Side-Effects of Chamomile Tea
According to experts, the intake of chamomile tea doesn't cause any adverse side effects or allergies and is perfectly safe. However, when consumed in large doses or repeatedly, it may lead to different side effects and health conditions.
This may vary from person to person. From drowsiness to vomiting, heavy consumption of chamomile tea or using an excessive amount of chamomile flowers can result in both drowsiness and vomiting.
For those who are allergic to certain daisy family related plants, intake of chamomile tea may trigger different allergic reactions. Having strong anti-inflammatory properties, chamomile tea should be avoided by pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
References
- Singh O, Khanam Z, Misra N, Srivastava MK. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.): an overview. Pharmacognosy reviews. 2011 Jan;5(9):82. [Cited 26 June 2019]. Available from:
- Miraj S, Alesaeidi S. A systematic review study of therapeutic effects of Matricaria recuitta chamomile (chamomile). Electronic physician. 2016 Sep;8(9):3024. [Cited 26 June 2019]. Available from:
- Hameed IH, Mohammed GJ, Kamal SA. A review: Uses and Pharmacological activity of Matricaria chamomilla. Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development. 2018 Mar 1;9(3):200-5. [Cited 26 June 2019]. Available from:
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