It’s no secret that chamomile is one of the most popular herbs around.
But what you may not know is that chamomile is actually packed with a variety of health benefits.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into the many benefits of chamomile and explore how you can incorporate it into your daily life.
From its calming effects to its ability to improve digestive health, chamomile is a powerful herbal remedy you don’t want to miss out on.
So read on to learn more about the amazing benefits of chamomile.
Chamomile: overview
Chamomile is a flower in the Asteraceae family that offers many health benefits and is popular in drinks and foods.
Roman and German chamomile are the most commonly used varieties for tea.
In ancient times, chamomile was used to treat heat and as a cosmetic.
It was also added to beer to give an aromatic scent.
Chamomile has a sweet and slightly fruity taste, similar to apples.
It is considered a caffeine-free drink and can be consumed before bedtime.
Chamomile is known for its health benefits including:
- Soothing and relaxing properties.
- Drinking chamomile tea can help reduce stress and improve sleep quality.
- Helps relieve headaches, muscle aches, and stomach aches.
- Helps reduce inflammation and improve immunity.
Its benefits can be enjoyed by drinking chamomile tea, applying warm chamomile compresses to the skin, taking chamomile-based supplements, or using cosmetic products containing chamomile.
Types of chamomile:
There are many varieties of chamomile, but the two main ones used for their medicinal properties are German chamomile and Roman chamomile.
Other species of chamomile, such as Moroccan chamomile, yellow chamomile, wild chamomile, etc., are not generally used for medicinal purposes.
Roman chamomile:
Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum Nobile) is a perennial plant native to Western Europe and Northern Ireland.
Its tea has been used for centuries to relieve digestive problems such as nausea, gas, vomiting, and heartburn.
It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can relieve skin irritations.
In traditional Iranian medicine, Roman chamomile is known as Shirazi chamomile.
It has a warm and dry nature.
It can soften and tone the nose and nerves and increase sexual strength.
It is also used to treat fever and chills, regulate menstruation and stimulate lactation.
It can also relieve headaches, reduce swelling, and crush bladder stones.
In cases of urinary cramps and low menstrual secretions, it can be very useful.
German chamomile:
German Chamomile is a medicinal plant used since the 15th century in Europe.
The Egyptians and ancient Romans associated it with the sun goddess and used it to relieve pain, for its sedative and soothing properties.
In the 16th century, this plant began to be cultivated on a large scale in Germany and its benefits were recognized in other countries, such as Portugal and France.
In the Middle Ages, it was used as a perfume and to cover the ground.
Today, the main producers of German Chamomile are Hungary, Russia, Argentina, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Finland, Egypt, and India.
Difference between Roman and German chamomile:
Roman and German chamomile are distinguished by their leaves and stems.
Roman chamomile leaves are thicker and grayish-green, while German chamomile leaves are thinner.
Also, the stems of Roman chamomile are slightly hairy, while those of German chamomile are smooth.
Chamomile benefits and Nutritional values:
Nutritional values:
Chamomile flowers contain powerful antioxidant flavonoids, such as:
- Apigenin.
- Quercetin
- Patuletin
- Luteolin
- Glucosides.
Chamomile flowers contain phenolic compounds, including flavonoids and glucosides, which have well-documented antioxidant effects.
In addition, its essential oil is rich in alpha-bisabolol terpenoids and its oxides, as well as azulenes, including chamazulene.
A review study showed that chamomile has moderate antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and significant antiplatelet activity in vitro.
Animal studies have also shown anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, and cholesterol-lowering properties, as well as antispasmodic and anxiolytic effects.
Health benefits:
Helps deal with depression:
Studies suggest that drinking chamomile may help improve sleep quality.
One study found that women who drank chamomile tea for 2 weeks after giving birth slept better and had fewer symptoms of postpartum depression than those who did not drink tea.
Another study found that people who took 270 mg of chamomile extract twice a day for 28 days
woke up less often and fell asleep in 15 minutes less than those who did not take the extract.
These results suggest that chamomile may be beneficial for improving sleep.
Can prevent cancer:
Regular consumption of chamomile may help prevent certain types of cancer.
Various studies have found that the antioxidant components of chamomile, including apigenin, have a protective effect against cancer of the breast, digestive system, skin, prostate, and uterus.
A study involving 537 participants showed that drinking chamomile tea between 2 and 6 times a week significantly reduced the risk of developing thyroid cancer.
Relieves anxiety:
Chamomile is a natural remedy that may relieve the symptoms of a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Studies have shown that an oral extract of chamomile may have anxiolytic activity and prevent relapse of recurrent GAD in people with moderate to severe GAD.
A controlled study found that taking chamomile extract at 1500 mg/day for 8 weeks can significantly reduce GAD symptoms, with a response rate comparable to conventional anxiolytic treatments and a favorable adverse event profile.
Promotes digestion:
Chamomile’s anti-inflammatory properties may help relieve some digestive disorders, including diarrhea.
Studies also suggest that chamomile may help prevent stomach ulcers and reduce stomach acid, by inhibiting the growth of bacteria that contribute to them.
Although more research is needed to confirm these effects, chamomile has been used traditionally to treat various digestive disorders, such as nausea and bloating.
Reduces blood sugar levels:
Chamomile can help control blood sugar levels.
Studies have shown that its anti-inflammatory quality prevents damage to the cells of the pancreas, which is essential for the production of the hormone insulin that helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Research with diabetic participants showed that those who drank chamomile with their meals for 8 weeks were able to significantly lower their blood sugar levels compared to those who drank water.
Relieves menstruation pain:
Premenstrual syndrome is characterized by a variety of unpleasant and painful physical and psychological symptoms.
These include fatigue, anxiety, headaches, back pain, breast pain, stomach pain, digestive problems, skin problems, heavy bleeding, and many others.
According to research, chamomile can help relieve menstrual pain.
It is also known to help with sleep, digestion, and headaches.
Precautions before you get chamomile benefits:
Chamomile is an herb with many health benefits, but it can also cause some side effects for some people.
Here are some of the main contraindications associated with the use of chamomile:
Allergies:
People who are allergic to chamomile may experience a variety of symptoms, such as skin rashes, itching, redness, breathing difficulties, and anaphylactic shock.
These reactions can be caused by exposure to plants in the Asteraceae family, including daisies.
It is therefore important for people with chamomile allergies to be aware of their environment and the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Also, cosmetic products containing chamomile can be irritating to the eyes if they come into direct contact with them.
This can lead to conjunctivitis, which is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye.
Pregnant and Nursing moms:
Pregnant and nursing mothers are advised to discuss the use of chamomile with their primary care physician, as there is not enough data available to assess the safety of chamomile during pregnancy and lactation.
Interaction with medicine:
It is important to consult a physician before taking chamomile, as it may interact with certain medications, including blood thinners and sedatives.
Warfarin is an anticoagulant, that can interact with chamomile and cause adverse symptoms.
Cyclosporine is an immuno-suppressive drug, is also shown to interact with this herb, leading to increased levels of the drug in the blood when taken together.
If you are taking any medications, discuss them with your health care professional to ensure that they will not be altered by taking chamomile.