4 Reasons to Replace your Regular Tea with Chamomile Tea

Chamomile Tea has been one of the most well loved home remedies for a lot of ailments. From the Victorian era, Chamomile tea, made from sun dried flowers, has been used to alleviate headaches, anxiety, stomach aches and a lot of other problems. However, in the recent times, scientists have decided to study the plant and find out what really is about it that combats common ailments.

In 2006, a group of researchers from England found that the flower’s medicinal powers were not just folklore. In fact, they now had real evidence to prove the medicinal benefits of Chamomile. Here’s what they found out:

• Chamomile is an Antioxidant with Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Properties: The Journal of Phytotherapy Research published in 2006, pondered the miraculous abilities of the chamomile plant. The plant has special phytochemicals which act as antioxidants – neutralizing oxygen radicals and improving overall health. It flushes toxins from the body, helping your organs function better and making your skin look much younger and more beautiful. Studies performed on animals suggest that the tea has remedial benefits against inflammation. The phytonutrients in chamomile tea can help soothe the inflammation, improving overall digestion. However, there is not enough evidence to prove these benefits in humans.
• Chamomile for Easing Anxiety: Since the 15th century, chamomile tea has been the medicine of choice for women who suffered from anxiety. They would even use the essential oils of chamomile to soothe their throbbing temples. In the more recent times – 2009 to be precise, the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology published a study showing the therapeutic effects of chamomile tea. According to the findings of this study, chamomile tea has mild anti-anxiety benefits and it may be beneficial for those who experience anxiety related headaches or other mild anxiety disorders.
• Chamomile for Infants and Children: Chamomile finds its uses in pediatrics as well. A lot of mothers swear by the therapeutic benefits of chamomile tea, especially in the treatment of children and infants suffering from digestive ailments like colic. Chamomile tea, served with lemon and ginger or fennel, can help soothe the painful twangs of a colicky stomach. Two separate studies, published in 2007 in the Pediatrics Review Journal, found that treatment with chamomile can be beneficial for children suffering from digestive disorders such as diarrhea and vomiting. The good thing is, chamomile is mild enough to be beneficial to children without having any side effects.
• Improve Sleep with Chamomile: The calming and soothing properties of chamomile are especially beneficial for those who suffer from sleep disorders. Chamomile tea has long been used to improve quality of sleep. Women, several centuries ago, would take a cup of chamomile tea to bed, to drink it just before they put themselves to sleep. Scientists have now discovered that brewing a tea with both chamomile can significantly decrease symptoms of insomnia. The calming and soothing effects of the chamomile flower were found similar to some of the commonly available over the counter drugs for inducing sleep.

Nutritional Facts

All the therapeutic effects of chamomile are due to the various nutrients present in it. There are two basic varieties of the plant – German and Roman. The German variety is the most popular, and Chamomile tea is made by drying the German chamomile flowers. The tea does not contain nicotine or caffeine and is completely healthy – even for young children to have. A freshly brewed cup of chamomile tea contains about 2 calories (in case you are yet to add honey or sugar to your cup). It has about 0.5g of carbohydrates and traces of minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium. It also contains folates and flourides, along with very miniscule amounts of vitamin A.

Chamomile is rich in antioxidants, of which it has generous helpings. The nutritional value of chamomile is not much. However, the combination of flavonoids and phytonutrients make it an excellent therapeutic agent, useful for the treatment of many different ailments.