Chamomile has been used as an herbal remedy for centuries for a wide range of issues fromfeverto bladder problems to skin irritations.
In modern times, chamomile is primarily used orally to treatinsomnia,anxiety, and digestive problems, but it is now being studied as a possiblediabetes treatment。It's also applied over the skin topically to relieve skin irritations and aid inwoundhealing. Because chamomile hasn't been thoroughly studied in people, however, claims of the purported health benefits are lacking strong evidence.
Chamomile essential oil and floral extracts contain more than 120 chemical elements, many of which are pharmacologically active. They include:
- Chamazulene (anti-inflammatory)
- Bisabolol (anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial)
- Apigenin (a phytonutrient with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral properties)
- Luteolin (a phytonutrient with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral properties)
These compounds are responsible for the health benefits of chamomile tea and other chamomile products.
10 health benefits of drinking chamomile tea
- Improvessleep:Chamomile is one of the most commonly used alternative remedies for treatinginsomniaandsleep disorders。However, despite its reputation as asleep-inducing herb, there is little scientific evidence to back up this claim.
- Improves digestive health:According to a few studies, chamomile suppresses the activity ofHelicobacter pylori(bacteria that can cause stomach ulcers). Chamomile is thought to aid smoothmuscle spasmslinked with inflammatory gastrointestinal illnesses, includinginflammatory bowel disease, although further research is needed to prove this.
- Helps managediabetes:Chamomile tea can help reduce bloodsugarlevels in people withdiabetesand lower totalcholesterol, although it should not replace following medical advice from your doctor and taking medications as prescribed. Chamomile may be a useful addition to existing treatments.
- Improvesdental health:Studies have reported that chamomile mouthwash considerably reducesgingivitisand plaque, owing to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Relieves menstrualpain:Chamomile tea has been associated with reduction in the severity ofmenstrual crampsin several studies. It may also help reduceanxietyand distress associated with menstrual periods.
- Slows the progression ofosteoporosis:Chamomile tea can aid in increasingbone densityand prevent or slowosteoporosis, which causes a progressive loss of bone density.
- Helps reduce inflammation:Inflammation is a defense mechanism used by the immune system to combat infection. Chronic inflammation has been linked to various health issues includinghemorrhoids, gastrointestinalpain,arthritis, autoimmune illnesses, and evendepression。甘菊茶中的化学物质可能有助于减少inflammation in the body.
- Helps prevent and treatcancer:Chamomile tea may help targetcancercells or prevent them from forming in the first place. However, research regarding this has been inconclusive.
- Relievesanxiety:Chamomile tea is widely believed to help you relax and reduceanxiety, although this has only been evaluated in a fewclinical trials。Many believe that chamomile tea hasbenzodiazepine-like properties.Benzodiazepinesare anti-anxiety and sleep-inducing prescription medications. According to certain studies, chamomile binds to benzodiazepine receptors in the body to activate its actions.
- Relievescoldsymptoms:Some studies and anecdotal evidence reports that inhaling steam infused with chamomile extract or drinking warm chamomile tea can help alleviate some of thesymptoms of common coldsuch asnasal congestionandheadache。
SLIDESHOW
Foods That Aren't as Healthy as You ThinkSee Slideshow
References
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168160507005818?via%3Dihub
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3318194
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S108707929990093X
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286965003_Chamomile_tea_for_relief_of_primary_dysmenorrhea
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15537303
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.4807/full
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11130-012-0277-1
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3318194
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S108707929990093X
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286965003_Chamomile_tea_for_relief_of_primary_dysmenorrhea
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15537303
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.4807/full
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11130-012-0277-1
Complete List
Top What's Chamomile Tea Good For Related Articles
Insomnia Slideshow
What is insomnia? Insomnia by definition is trouble falling or staying asleep. Insomnia causes are varied. Learn 10 tips on how to get a good night's sleep and avoid sleep disorders such as insomnia.
20 Tips to Beat Insomnia
Good sleep hygiene leads to better sleep. Avoid insomnia and sleep better by minimizing stress, exercising, and taking proper naps. Learn the health benefits of good sleep. Discover how pets, allergies, electronics, and other distractions can rob you of a good night's sleep.
bitter melon
Bitter melon, an edible fruit with many phenolic compound, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and insulin-like peptides, has been traditionally used for treating many conditions including diabetes, cancer, fever, and infections. Other uses for bitter melon include diabetes, cancer prevention, gastrointestinal upset, abnormal blood fat levels (dyslipidemia), obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, psoriasis, and others. Do not take bitter melon if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Healthy Living and Disease Prevention
The importance of a healthy lifestyle in disease prevention is widely understood and most people know that lifestyle changes and choices can be critical to good health. Learn about healthy behaviors that constitute healthy living.
Insomnia
Insomnia is the perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep because of difficulty falling asleep; waking up frequently during the night with difficulty returning to sleep; waking up too early in the morning; or unrefreshing sleep. Secondary insomnia is the most common type of insomnia. Treatment for insomnia include lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication.
Suffer From Insomnia Quiz
Insomnia affects all age groups, and is the most common sleep disorder in the world. There also seems to be a link between depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Learn more about insomnia with this quiz.
Tea Quiz
Are all teas created equal? Take this quiz to learn what drinking tea does to the body, and how it can provide health benefits against certain diseases and conditions.
What Is Ginger Tea Good For?
Good ginger tea can be a refreshing and revitalizing alternative to caffeine-containing drinks. However, moderation is the keyword. You should not drink more than one or two cups of ginger tea per day. Daily consumption of 4 g of ginger or less than two tablespoons is considered ideal.
What Is Pu-erh Tea Good For?
Pu-erh tea has been popular in China and has been consumed to achieve various health benefits.