Health Benefits
of Chamomile

Chamomile Tea Benefits

No? Well, you probably know this herb as a popular type of tea.

Chamomile, or more precisely, German chamomile, is in the daisy family and grows all over Germany, Hungary, and other parts of E. Europe.

Other names:

wild chamomile

Hungarian chamomile

scented mayweed

The white and yellow flowers have a strong aromatic scent and bloom in midsummer.

Actually, the word chamomile roughly translates to “earth-apple” in Greek.

The plant smells like apples and grows close to the ground.

Chamomile Properties:
What it Does For You

Chamomile has been used in Europe for generations to treat digestive problems. The active ingredient in this herb, called apigenin, is anti-inflammatory and reduces pain.

Overall, chamomile has a mild calming effect. It will:

• help with insomnia

• alleviate menstrual cramps

• relieve stress and anxiety

• lessen indigestion, bloating, and gas

• combat migraine headaches

• soothe an upset stomach

• fight off colds and flu

• bring down a fever

It’s also useful as a rinse for minor mouth and gum irritation.

I get painful ulcers on my gums from time to time, especially when I’m stressed out. Chamomile helps get rid of them fast. Before chamomile, I would dab salt on them, which didn’t really work, and hurt like heck.

Scientific Research Into Chamomile

Recently, a study of chamomile was published the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. The researchers found:

Drinking chamomile tea significantly increases urinary levels of hippurate, a plant-based compound (phenolic) that inhibits staphylococcal and streptococcal bacteria strains. This may explain why the tea seems to boost the immune system.

Drinking chamomile tea also showed an increase in urinary levels of glycine, an amino acid known to relieve muscle spasms. This may explain why the tea helps relieve menstrual cramps in women (relaxes the uterus). Glycine also relaxes nerves, which may explain why the tea helps people sleep.

Even two weeks after the study ended, levels of hippurate and glycine remained elevated in participants.

Precautions and Side Effects

Quick list of no-nos:

1. No chamomile during pregnancy or nursing.

2. No chamomile if allergic to
   ragweed or chrysanthemum.

3. No chamomile for people on blood-thinning medication. Chamomile contains coumarin, a compound that acts as a blood thinner.

4. No chamomile with sedatives or alcohol.

Be safe and consult your doctor for further advice.

Chamomile Tea Tips

1. Use one teabag per cup.

2. Brew for a bit longer than a regular cup of tea.

3. Make it steaming hot.

4. To unclog a stuffed up nose, breathe in the steam.

Supplemental Chamomile
Yes or No?

Well, drinking chamomile tea is easy. But, then again, if you’re not a tea drinker, it might be difficult to force yourself. With herbs, liquid forms are poorly absorbed anyway. The best form is the standardized extract from the flowers of the chamomile plant.

Chamomile should be standardized to contain 1 percent apigenin.

If you're suffering from insomnia or interrupted sleep and looking for help, there are natural products that can help. One, in particular, contains 40 carefully chose ingredients, including chamomile extract.

Getting too little sleep weakens the mind as well as the body's defenses. Yes, sleeping pills are available to you, but they come with side effects. And many people become addicted to them.