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Chamomile tea is a popular beverage that offers benefits to the body, in addition to its natural and pleasant taste. This tea is made by harvesting and drying chamomile flowers. Because it's caffeine-free, it's consumed as an alternative to green and black teas. The benefits of chamomile tea stem from its diverse antioxidant properties. Some of these antioxidants significantly reduce the risk of various diseases, including heart disease and various cancers. Chamomile tea also has properties that aid sleep and digestive health.
Benefits of chamomile tea
- Effects of chamomile tea on sleep
Chamomile tea is a unique beverage that improves sleep quality. This property has been known since ancient medical practices. Daisies contain an antioxidant called apigenin, which reduces insomnia in the brain and promotes sleep. Apigenin is also beneficial for chronic insomnia.
- Effects of chamomile tea on the digestive system
Our gut is considered the body's second brain, so a healthy digestive system is crucial for overall health. Chamomile tea has traditionally been used to treat digestive disorders like gas and nausea.
- Potential protection of chamomile tea against certain types of cancer
As previously mentioned, chamomile contains the antioxidant apigenin. Cell culture studies have shown that apigenin specifically combats cancer cells in the digestive system, breast, skin, prostate, and uterine systems. Furthermore, a study of 537 people found that those who drank chamomile tea 2-6 times a week had a significantly lower risk of developing thyroid cancer compared to those who did not.
- Benefits of chamomile tea on blood sugar
Drinking chamomile tea plays a significant role in lowering blood sugar levels. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory properties found in chamomile tea can combat the damage to pancreatic cells that occurs when blood sugar levels are chronically elevated. Because the pancreas produces insulin, the hormone responsible for lowering blood sugar, it is an extremely important organ to keep healthy in diabetes.
- Effects of chamomile tea on heart health
Blood pressure and cholesterol are among the leading causes of heart disease. Studies have been conducted to determine how flavone, a potent antioxidant found in chamomile tea, affects these markers.
A study of 64 diabetic patients found that those who consumed chamomile tea with meals experienced significant improvements in total cholesterol, triglyceride, and bad cholesterol (LDL) levels compared to those who drank plain water. While more research is needed to confirm the role of chamomile tea in improving heart health, until these effects are proven, adding it to the daily diet is beneficial.
Other potential benefits of chamomile tea
The following benefits of chamomile tea are based on traditional methods and are not supported by scientific research:
- Strengthening the immune system: Consuming chamomile tea is also recommended in traditional medicine to prevent and treat colds. However, there are no clinical studies to support the claim that chamomile tea completely prevents or speeds up the onset of colds. Some doctors have reported that chamomile tea is beneficial for sore throats.
- Relieving anxiety and depression: There is some evidence that chamomile extract may reduce the severity of anxiety and depression, but this is mostly based on its use as aromatherapy or taken as a supplement, rather than as a tea.
- Improving skin health: Cosmetic products like soaps, lotions, and eye creams containing chamomile extract have been shown to be moisturizing and to reduce and improve skin inflammation.
- Preventing bone loss: Some experts claim that chamomile tea may play a role in preventing bone loss that leads to conditions like osteoporosis, although scientific evidence on this topic is weak.
The lack of evidence for these health claims does not mean they are false. These claims may be proven true by appropriate clinical research in the future.
Side effects of chamomile tea
Drinking chamomile tea poses no risk to most people, but individuals allergic to chamomile have been observed to develop chamomile allergies to plants in the daisy family, such as ragweed and chrysanthemum. Furthermore, cosmetic products containing chamomile can cause irritation when they come into direct contact with the eyes. Furthermore, this irritation can lead to conjunctivitis.
