Chamomile Tea May Boost Your Immune System
If you want to avoid getting sick in the first place, making chamomile tea a regular part of your routine has the potential to help: a very small study had 14 volunteers drink five cups of herbal tea daily for two weeks . Afterward, scientists associated a significant boost in hippurate and glycine in their urine, both of which have been associated with increased antibacterial activity. However, a review of chamomile tea benefits noted “additional studies are needed before a definitive link between chamomile and its alleged health benefits can be established.”
Does Chamomile Tea Help You Sleep
Indeed, chamomile tea is an excellent choice for a before-bed drink: in addition to its aromatic earthy-floral flavor and lack of caffeine, it has longstanding medicinal uses and is known for inducing relaxation. Unsurprisingly, chamomile is one of the key ingredients in Sleepytime tea .
According to Rachel Cheatham, PhD, the founder of nutrition consulting firm Foodscape Group and Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, chamomile is a powerful antioxidant. Over 120 chemical elements for chamomile have been discovered, including the antioxidant apigenin, which helps bind receptors in your brain that promote drowsiness and reduce insomnia.
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Other research suggests that a combination of chamomile and lavender tea is especially helpful for new moms dealing with sleep deficits. In fact, the consumption of chamomile tea by postpartum women has also been shown to reduce symptoms of depressionwhich is a common cause of sleeplessness. “Just remember: the key to this effect appears to be regular daily consumption,” says Cheatham. “When the tea drinking stopped after two weeks of testing, so did the desirable sleep-inducing, mood-lifting effects.”
And Maybe Even Your Hair
Any notion that chamomile can boost the quality of your hair is speculative at best, but given its cooling and mildly anti-inflammatory properties, Kluge notes a chamomile tea hair rinse could potentially help ease dry and inflamed scalp conditions like dandruff or itchiness. There isn’t scientific research to definitively prove its effectiveness, but if you’ve already got some in your pantry, it couldn’t hurt to try.
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Recipe For A Sleepy Chamomile Tea
The requirements are 1 cup of water, 1 tsp of dried chamomile, 1/2 tsp of dried lavender, a sweetener like sugar, and honey.
All you need do is heat 1 cup of water till it boils, bring it down and add dried chamomile and dried lavender,
Then allow it to absorb for 10 minutes so that nothing is left out of the extraction process.
If it stays longer than 10 minutes, the tea may become bitter.
After 10 minutes, strain the tea and add sweetener.
Honey is most healthy. At this point, it is ready to enjoy.
You can also add dried mint with lavender and chamomile.
It is soothing as well and has a good flavour.
Enjoy your tea and sweet dreams!
Other Potential Health Benefits
The following health benefits of chamomile tea are mostly anecdotal and not supported by scientific research:
- Boosts immune health: Chamomile tea is often promoted as a strategy for preventing and treating the common cold, but evidence for this is lacking. It has also been said to be soothing for sore throats (
- 1 ).
Although these health claims lack evidence, that does not mean they are false. They simply have not been studied yet and may be in the future.
Summary: There is currently no strong evidence that drinking chamomile tea improves immune, bone and skin health. Additionally, research regarding its role in anxiety and depression is lacking.
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Along With Your Anxiety
Speaking of stress, chamomile may be helpful for those struggling with anxiety or higher-than-usual stress levels. More research is needed to understand why, but a small study published in Phytomedicinefound consuming chamomile extract reduced moderate-to-severe symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Scientists also need to further dig into the risks and benefits, but the Mayo Clinic says limited data has shown short-term use to be generally safe and potentially effective in reducing symptoms. Just keep in mind that chamomile may not work the same for everyone, so its always best to consult with your doctor before starting any sort of medical treatment plan.
How Long Does Chamomile Tea Last After Brewed
Even after 5 days, brewed chamomile tea stored in the fridge is safe to consume. Brewed tea will last for 5 to 6 months in the freezer.
Always keep it in an airtight container first before refrigerating or freezing.
This will prevent it from absorbing any flavour of neighbouring foods stored alongside.
Leftover brewed tea sitting at room temperature is dangerous
This is because tea polyphenol will begin to oxidise thereby making it dark in colour and unsafe.
This drink should not sit at room temperature for more than 8 hours. It should be discarded.
If in doubt, carefully look for signs of fungi growth, smell or off-flavour.
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And It Might Indirectly Help With Weight Loss
There’s little-to-no scientific evidence proving chamomile tea can be effective for weight loss in humans, but it is a refreshing, calorie-free drink you can sip on throughout the day . So while there may be no magical fat-burning substance in the herbal beverage, theoretically it may be a useful pantry item when you’re trying to lose weight and want something a little more flavorful than water.
Plus, let’s not forget chamomile tea could help manage stresswhich, as a reminder, can contribute to weight gain for a variety of reasonsso by keeping your stress levels in check, chamomile may be able to indirectly help you shed pounds.
It Can Also Help When Youre Sick Or Have A Cold
Chamomile is a lovely option if youre feeling under the weather, Kluge says. Its naturally cooling, which helps to balance an overheated state, and is calming to the digestive tract, which can get out of balance when youre ill or recovering from being sick.
You also dont have toingest chamomile to reap some feel-better rewards. Kluge says the following process may also help your respiratory health: Use 3-4 chamomile tea bags to make up a large bowl of tea with boiling water. Once the tea has steeped for a few minutes, place your head over the bowl and a towel over your head to keep the steam in. Take a deep breath through your nose and mouth slowly exhale. Repeat for 5-10 minutes so the steam reaches your lungs and provides relief from any discomfort.
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Helps To Lower Blood Sugar
For all diabetics out there, chamomile tea has been studied and found to be a great supplement alongside traditional medical treatments for keeping your blood sugar under control. A study completed in 2008 on animals returned results showing that consuming chamomile tea could have helped prevent blood sugar levels from rising. Not convinced by animal studies. There have been human studies too.
A small study from Tabriz University observed a group of people with type 2 diabetes. Half the group were given chamomile tea every day during meals. The rest of the group had water instead. At the end of the eight-week period, those who consumed chamomile tea had significantly lower blood sugar levels than those who drank water.
Rising blood sugar can lead to long term complications of diabetes so this is definitely welcome news for all those who love the taste of chamomile and want to keep their levels under control.
Chamomile Tea Has Subtle Floral Notes
The first flavor that you are probably going to notice when you take that first sip of your chamomile tea is the floral notes. I would describe them as subtle. Which is a term that I would use for chamomile tea in.general
It is a subtle tea, one that can easily be bland or weak if not steeped properly. And when that happens the floral notes are the first ones to weaken in my opinion. Without those wonderful flowery flavors, you really dont have a whole lot left in that particular cup of tea.
So it is imperative that you steep it properly. You can check out our article on how to make chamomile tea taste proper especially the sections on the water, time, and temperature for steeping.
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Other Natural Sleep Aids To Try
If you are having trouble falling asleep, a relaxing routine at the end of the day is helpful. This is part of the reason why a warm cup of chamomile tea before bed is recommended, especially in place of unhealthy sleep habits like drinking alcohol or scrolling through your phone.
“Take the hour before going to bed to take a hot bath or drink a cup of chamomile tea, which can be helpful in slowing your mind and body down,” says Nate Favini, MD, Medical Lead of Forward, an online primary care practice focused on preventative medicine.
In addition to drinking chamomile tea, there are other natural sleep aids that might help induce sleepiness before bed. These include:
It Strengthens The Immune System
For centuries, civilizations around the world have used herb infusions to relieve some sicknesses. Although there is now a wide variety of medicines of all kinds to relieve viruses, such as colds, herbal teas are definitely to be included in your recovery. This is a natural option that will do you a lot of good. Your body and your immune system will greatly appreciate it!
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Reduces Signs Of Aging
Chamomile contains polyphenols and phytochemicals that exhibit strong antioxidant properties. Antioxidants protect your skin from free radicals and other environmental irritants that otherwise cause a lot of cellular damage and consequently trigger premature aging.
Chamomile is also known to speed up cell regeneration, undoing the skin damage that has already occurred and thereby minimizing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and scars.
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Your Heart Health Will Improve If You Drink Chamomile Tea Every Day
The number one cause of death in America is cardiovascular disease, according to the CDC. That beats out everything from cancer to stroke to accidents to complications from diabetes, showing just how dangerous problems with the heart can be.
Fortunately, if you drink chamomile tea every day, you’re naturally protecting your ticker, according to registered dietitian Hayley Cimring. “Chamomile tea is rich in antioxidants which are very beneficial in keeping the heart strong,” Cimring shared with The List. “It contains flavonoids, which help reduce the risk of coronary artery diseases and heart attacks.”
Additionally, a 2015 study in the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation found that drinking chamomile tea with meals reduced bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people with type II diabetes. Since having high cholesterol and triglycerides can cause damage to your heart, that’s good news for regular chamomile tea drinkers.
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Drinking Chamomile Tea Every Day Can Reduce Inflammation
Chronic, low-level inflammation has been linked to a whole host of diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and a variety of other physical conditions, according to NPR. This sort of inflammation is different from the acute inflammation that’s triggered when you cut yourself or suffer a sprain, which is good for you as it helps you heal. However, inflammation is not a state you want to be in all the time, as that can cause wear and tear on your body and its systems.
If you’re someone who battles chronic inflammation, drinking a cup of chamomile tea every day may just help you fight that pesky condition, as noted by Sofia Norton, a registered dietitian. “Some compounds found in chamomile, such as alpha-bisabolol and matricin, are known to reduce inflammation,” she shared with The List. “This can be especially beneficial for people with autoimmune disorders.”
Chamomile Is A Diuretic:
Chamomile tea is a diuretic. Chamomile tea is known to have the ability to increase urination, which can help with conditions such as kidney stones, bladder infections, and even high blood pressure.
Chamomile tea is also known to have several other benefits, such as helping to improve sleep quality and relieve anxiety. Chamomile tea can be consumed in either hot or cold water, and it has been shown that the drink can help increase urination. Teabags made with chamomile are often sold at health food stores, pharmacies, and online retailers.
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Benefits Of Chamomile For Weight Loss
In addition to being an excellent medicinal plant to treat stomach ailments, Chamomile is also one of the best allies to achieve weight loss and get rid of those extra pounds. This is thanks to its nutritional composition and properties. Below, we show what all the benefits of Chamomile for weight loss are, so you will be sure that you can include it in any hypocaloric diet:
Helps To Sleep Better
Along with kicking out jangly nerves and putting you at perfect ease, sipping chamomile tea on the reg can also ensure you enjoy higher sleep quality. This is of course a natural side effect of lessening the grip of stress and anxiety, but it also contains a special antioxidant which can contribute to feelings of sleepiness. Apigenin is the antioxidant which binds to special receptors in your brain and reduces insomnia and other related problems.
Human studies showed that those who took chamomile extract twice a day for 28 days reported falling asleep faster and getting more quality shut eye than those who didnt take it. Those odds easily convince us to tuck up tight with a steaming cup of chamomile each night.
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You Will Have Less Anxiety If You Drink Chamomile Tea Every Day
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, some 31 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder at least once during their lives. Additionally, some people are more at risk than others. Women have been found to be more likely than men to develop an anxiety disorder such as panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder , or agoraphobia.
While chamomile tea is no substitute for proper medication and any therapy your doctor may recommend, drinking it every day can help you find some zen, as noted by registered dietitian Kathryn Bubec. “Compounds found in chamomile tea may increase levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the brain,” she explained to The List. “GABA serves as a counterbalance for another neurotransmitter , and imbalances between these two chemicals often play a role in anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder .” If you’re already drinking chamomile tea every day, keep up the good work.
You Will Have Fewer Digestive Problems If You Drink Chamomile Tea Every Day
While digestive health isn’t exactly the most pleasant topic of conversation, making sure your intestines and other digestive organs are healthy is of vital importance. To that end, if you’re looking for an easy way to improve your gut function, sipping on chamomile tea every day is a good option, according to registered dietitian Kathryn Bubec. “If you struggle with issues such as gas, diarrhea, and ulcers, drinking chamomile tea can help to relieve your symptoms,” she explained to The List. “Chamomile acts as a muscle relaxant in the intestinal tract, which tends to decrease cramping and better regulate your bowel movements.”
Additionally, your daily chamomile tea can help you fight symptoms of indigestion and acid reflux, revealed Bubec. “It can also help to normalize gastric acidity as effectively as over-the-counter antacid medications, decreasing ulcer risk,” the expert continued.
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Boost Your Immune System
There’s little scientific evidence to support this health benefit, but some people will swear that a cup of chamomile tea is great for boosting the immune system to treat a cold. While there’s no evidence to back this myth up, we do know that chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties that may soothe a sore throat. Furthermore, drinking hot herbal teas is a good way to decongest your nose , so chamomile tea may be good for a cold after all.
How To Remove The Color From Your Hair With Chamomile Tea
1. Pour a cup of chamomile tea into a pot and set it on medium heat.
2. Add water to the pot and stir until the mixture becomes warm.
3. Add shampoo to the mixture and stir until everything is combined.
4. Pour the tea mixture into a hair wig or headband and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
5. Remove the tea wig or headband from your head and allow it to air-dry.
6. Apply a light application of hairspray to your hair and let it stay in place for about 5 minutes.
7. Blow-dry your hair using a high-quality hair dryer for about 2 minutes.
8. Use a hair color processor to create the desired color for your hair, using Chamomile Tea as a base!
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