5 Benefits of Drinking Chamomile Tea

Chamomile has been used since ancient times. The Egyptians and the ancient Romans both used chamomile for tea, salves, creams and incense. In Egypt, they used chamomile as a cold remedy. In the modern world of today, chamomile is used to help induce calmness and sleep.

Chamomile is a member of the Asteraceae family of plants, which consists of many other species, such as daisies and sunflowers. There are several varieties of chamomile plant, but two of them are most frequently used in herbal medicine: German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). Of the two, German chamomile is more popular.

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of chamomile tea:

1. Sleep

A cup of warm chamomile tea about 45 minutes before you go to bed can help calm you and ease you into a deep sleep. The chamomile flower contains a special antioxidant compound called “apigenin”, which induces sleepiness when it binds to the GABA receptors in the brain.

If you’re having issues with sleep or insomnia, try a chamomile tea such as Bigelow’s Cozy Chamomile or Lipton's Stress Therapy Cinnamon, Chamomile and Lavender tea. Brew a cup about an hour before bedtime, let it steep around 8-9 minutes, add honey/sweetener/cream to taste.

Additionally, the process of making the tea itself - boiling the water, steeping, the aroma - could all help to calm you down and help you prepare for sleep.

2. Anxiety

Some studies have found that using chamomile tea has reduced stress and anxiety levels in many regular or even occasional chamomile tea consumers. Chamomile tea is also caffeine free, so no worries of it aggravating any anxiety symptoms.

In one study, subjects with moderate to severe GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) received open-label treatment with pharmaceutical-grade chamomile extract 1,500 mg/day for 8 weeks. 58% of the participants experienced significant improvement during the 8 weeks. Statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in secondary outcome ratings of anxiety and wellbeing also occurred. Adverse effects were reported in less than 12% of subjects, though none were identified as serious.

3. Digestion

Chamomile tea has incredible anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe the stomach and alleviate digestive symptoms. It can drastically help with nutrient absorption, bloating and gas relief, balance stomach acid, soothe inflammation, and ease stomach cramps. It can relieve indigestion, acid reflux, IBS, gastritis, nausea, and diarrhea.

4. Heart Health

Consuming chamomile tea is believed to help reduce the risk of heart disease. Thanks to chamomile’s calming properties from apigenin, it reduces stress and anxiety which also lowers your risk of developing heart disease. Some of the special antioxidants in chamomile might also help lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

5. Skin

You may find chamomile used as an ingredient in skincare products for calming, soothing, and revitalizing the skin. The practice of applying chamomile to our skin goes back to the Egyptians and Romans who used it to encourage the skin to heal. Chamomile is still used to help with skin issues from blemishes, redness, eczema, psoriasis, as well as protecting the skin from environmental damage.

Have you used Chamomile tea in the past or do you currently? What has been your experience?