Chamomile Tea – More than just a sleep aid.
Generally, when people are thinking of chamomile tea, they are thinking of going ‘sleepy nigh-night’. You may find it fascinating that chamomile simply does so much more for your health than just knock you out. We’ve got 5 other benefits to chamomile listed below that go beyond just helping you get your Zs.
So, let’s start this off by talking about what chamomile tea is. That’s a good place to start, right? Chamomile tea comes from the dried flowers of the Matricaria chamomilla, a member of the Asteraceae family – yeah, we can’t say those words very well either. If you like to hear the origin story of words then you’ll love this. The word Matricaria originates from the Latin word matrix which means womb or uterus. This makes sense since the dried flowers of this plant have been used for centuries to treat menstrual cramps and help with sleep deprivation due to premenstrual syndrome or better known as PMS (an acronym never to be used by men, especially during arguments). The word chamomile comes from a Greek word that roughly means “earth-apple”, probably because the chamomile plant smells of apples.
These chamomile plants were used not only in ancient Egypt but also in ancient Greece and Rome for medicinal purposes. More than likely, long before many ancient German tribes were even capable of writing about it, they used it as well for such things as sore throats, and IBS. Let’s just say this plant is old, it has history, and it has been used for a long time to treat what ails us.
So…What ails us and how can chamomile tea help?
1. Chamomile helps with that time of the month. Period.
As mentioned above, chamomile was widely used anciently to help ease the discomfort that comes with menstruation. Chamomile is an antispasmodic which means that it can work to relieve involuntary spasms of the muscles, also known as period cramps. Studies have been done (probably worth a google) where women who have drank chamomile tea twice a day during the two weeks prior to beginning their period experienced fewer cramps along with – Bonus! reduced anxiety.
2. The belly just feels better with chamomile!
Not only does the antispasmodic nature of chamomile help with period cramps, but it can also reduce spasms within the gut. There are these bitter compounds called sesquiterpene lactones found in chamomile that help activate digestive enzymes in the pancreas that break down food. And… chamomile Not only does the antispasmodic nature of chamomile help with period cramps, but it can also reduce spasms within the gut. There are these bitter compounds called sesquiterpene lactones found in chamomile that help activate digestive enzymes in the pancreas that break down food. And… chamomile also has the ability to calm your stress. Whether you knew it or not, many of the problems we experience in our digestive system can be attributed to the stress the body feels. Reduce your stress and you may just see these issues resolve themselves. Get yourself some chamomile and stop stressin’. At least that’s what our gut tells us.
3. Don’t be so anxious.
That’s right, chamomile can help with your anxiety too. We talked earlier about it helping to reduce stress That’s right, chamomile can help with your anxiety too. We talked earlier about it helping to reduce stress within your body and anxiety is part of that stress. We really don’t know much about why, more research needs to be done, and it isn’t the cure-all, especially for everyone. BUT… a little improvement is better than no improvement at all, right?
4. It may be rocket fuel for your immune system.
As with other tea, Chamomile tea is chalk-full of polyphenolic and other healthy compounds. These compounds sky rocket our immunity and boost our ability to fight off infection. Some of these As with other tea, Chamomile tea is chock-full of polyphenolic and other healthy compounds. These compounds skyrocket our immunity and boost our ability to fight off infection. Some of these compounds are antibacterial and anti-inflammatory in nature which helps keep our bodies including our immune system firing on all engines. So, it’s not really rocket science. Get yourself some chamomile tea and you’ll blast past illness and inflammation.
5. May be your drink for preventing diabetic damage.
If you have diabetes (we hope you don’t, but if you do) then chamomile tea is good news for you. A study was done by a university in Japan and a research institute in the UK. The combination of these smart minds discovered that diabetic rats who were given a chamomile extract showed a substantial reduction in their blood glucose levels, as opposed to the control group. The study also showed that the extract indicated an ability to inhibit negative enzymes – super Bueno! These are enzymes that contribute to diabetic complications. So, drinking chamomile tea at every meal may just prevent the progression of hyperglycemia and complication associated with diabetes such as neuropathy, retinal damage, cataracts, and/or kidney damage (all bad things).
Bringing it all Home
Well, well, well… It seems chamomile tea isn’t just for the sleep deprived, but it does help with that too. Chamomile tea may also help mitigate the pain of menstruating, subside symptoms of stress including the byproducts of poor gut health and anxiety, increase immunity, and prevent or slow the roll of hWell, well, well… It seems chamomile tea isn’t just for the sleep-deprived, but it does help with that too. Chamomile tea may also help mitigate the pain of menstruating, subside symptoms of stress including the byproducts of poor gut health and anxiety, increase immunity, and prevent or slow the roll of hyperglycemia and diabetic complications. That’s a lot of value for your health all in a cup of chamomile tea. Of course, one cup of this elixir isn’t going to be the ultimate fixer, but a consistent cup at every meal over a consistent period of time may just make the biggest difference in your life.
But Chamomile Tea is soooo boring!
If you think chamomile tea is super boring then you haven’t looked into your chamomile options. Yes, you can order a plain chamomile tea (which by the way isn’t so boring) or you can find a few infusions that will provide you with some variety. Fusion Teas has a few delicious options that spice things up and smooth things out. See some exciting options below and begin enjoying the healthy benefits of chamomile tea.
