Benefits of Chamomile Tea: Proven for better sleep and good health

Benefits of Chamomile Tea: Proven for better sleep and good health

Chamomile flowers belong to the daisy family. Their bright golden cones shine in the center of the white petals.

With more than a million cups of chamomile tea per day and supplements of chamomile capsules, liquid extracts, ointments, and essential oils widely available, chamomile is one of the most commonly used and research-proven medicinal plants. It has been studied for use for insomnia, heart disease, colds, inflammation, skin eczema, upset stomach, osteoporosis, anxiety, sore throats, wound healing, and more.

Chamomile for sleep and insomnia

Chamomile has long been used as a natural sleep aid and insomnia remedy. The powerful oils in the flowers have a calming effect on insomnia, nervousness and anxiety. In one study, heart patients were given chamomile tea and then fell into a deep sleep. In another study of animals conducted in Japan, relaxation was increased and the time it took to fall asleep was significantly reduced. In an 8-week study of people with anxiety, chamomile was shown to greatly reduce symptoms and increase well-being.

Stomach problems With the help of chamomile

Chamomile is one of the most important herbs for digestive disorders such as upset stomach, ulcers, diarrhea and gas. It helps relax muscle contractions, especially in the smooth muscles that make up the intestines. In a journal study from Switzerland, the herbal combination of Iberis (an herb from the cabbage family), peppermint and chamomile was shown to be effective in treating stomach indigestion, irritation and inflammation.

Eczema and skin diseases

Inflammation of the skin is often treated and resolved with topical chamomile preparations. It has the ability to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin and help with eczema and other skin inflammations. In a European medical journal, a cream containing chamomile extract was tested against a hydrocortisone cream. After two weeks of treatment, the chamomile cream showed slight superiority in effectiveness over hydrocortisone.

Osteoporosis and bone health

In the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, chamomile extract was studied for its ability to prevent the bone loss that can occur with age. Chamomile demonstrated the ability to help mineralize bone cells and exhibited anti-estrogenic quality. The researchers noted that this may be because chamomile has a quality as a possible regulator of excess estrogen in the body.

Calcium and chamomile – a winning duo

Calcium is also directly related to our good sleep. In a study titled “The Nutritional Relationships of Magnesium,” the author notes that the type of insomnia associated with calcium deficiency causes difficulty falling asleep. The same study states that “muscle cramps associated with calcium deficiency often occur at night and without exertion.”

In another study published in the European Neurology Journal, researchers found that calcium levels in the body are higher during some of the deepest levels of sleep, such as the rapid eye movement (REM) phase, when most dreams occur. This study discovered that sleep disorders, particularly the absence of deep REM sleep or disturbed REM sleep, are related to calcium deficiency.

Summary

Anyone who has a severe allergy to plants like daisies or ragweed (with its tiny green flowers) should start with a very small amount of chamomile, whether as a tea, supplement, or skin salve. Most people can benefit from chamomile without any reaction. It is one of nature's most powerful herbs and can help calm insomnia, anxiety, muscle spasms, PMS, skin inflammation, stomach upset, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, arthritis and much more.

As a first line of defense against insomnia and insomnia, chamomile and calcium are good bets. They come from the world of herbal and mineral sleep aids and are usually taken safely with no addictive qualities or side effects.