Chamomile Tea Benefits

Most people tend to know the chamomile tea benefits are real, however most of us don’t know what exactly they are. Do the benefits of chamomile tea lay primarily with its anti-anxiety calming properties or is there more to it? Is it true that chamomile tea benefits the sore stomach, helps irritable bowel syndrome as well as being a sleep aid?

Let’s examine the origin of chamomile tea growth and its use as a herbal remedy drink. Plant by the name of Matricaria chamomilla (commonly known as just chamomile) grows around populated areas throughout Europe and Asia. It has since been introduced in Australia and North America. Chamomile plant is classified as weed as it needs open soil for it to flourish and it can currently be found growing near roads as well as in cultivated fields. Chamomile plant grows up to the height of 55 cm and has recognizable white ray florets with yellow middle disc floret.

Chamomile Tea Benefits

Chamomile tea is best prepared by using two tea spoons of dried chamomile flower for a single cup. The tea is to be steeped for 10 to 15 minutes while covered. This is little different from preparation of your common tea such is English breakfast tea for example. It is best to cover the cup to prevent evaporation of the volatile oils. In addition to being available as a dried loose flower, you can purchase it in a tea bag form from all health food stores and supermarkets.

Benefits of chamomile tea

Following are the health ailments where chamomile tea can benefit the sufferers:

• Sore stomach and stomach cramps relief – it is recommended to drink one cup of chamomile tea every morning before food for the period of up to 3 months.
• Painful oral inflammation and ulcers of the mucous membranes; chamomile tea is beneficial when used as a mouthwash. Its anti inflammatory properties can ease or completely eradicate certain mites that cause this oral inflammation.
• Cholesterol lowering benefits of chamomile – although more study is needed particularly in humans, some preliminary research with animals has shown that chamomile can reduce cholesterol levels in blood when taken routinely.
• Antimicrobial and antioxidant characteristics of chamomile tea can bring benefits in cancer prevention, wound healing and also has diabetes benefit (animal form of diabetes at this stage of research). Antioxidants have been proven to fight the free radicals which cause aging.
• The strongest chamomile tea benefits is claimed to be with its calming property. It has long been used as a sleep aid where it promotes drowsiness at night for better sleep. Its mild sedative characteristic makes it a favorite tea for whose looking to calm their nerves and anxious habit. It’s been shown to reduce insomnia, depression, anxiety and other tension related illnesses.

It is recommended to have up to three cups of chamomile tea per day at a maximum and the amount dropping down to 1 cup per day for children under the age of 5. Anyone on blood thinning medication should avoid excessive chamomile tea consumption. In rare cases, chamomile tea side effect can show themselves as nausea and vomiting.