Chamomile is a daisy-like flower, which is dried and used to make herb infusion serving medicinal purpose. Chamomile tea is a popular herbal tea loaded with ample health benefits. This fragrant brew is a perfect inclusion in daily routine to stay fit and healthy.
It has been in use for centuries, but many of us are not aware of its miraculous health effects.
How to Make Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is usually a combination of dried chamomile flowers and hot water. You can also add honey and lemon juice to enhance the taste of chamomile tea. To begin making chamomile tea, following ingredients are required.
Material Required:
- A small pot
- A teaspoon
- A tea strainer
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Hot water | 2 cup |
| Chamomile flowers (dried) | 1 to 2 tsp. (for strong tea 3 to 6 tsp.) |
| Honey | 1 to 2 tsp. |
| Lemon Juice | 1 tsp. |
Serving: two
Instructions
- Add two cups of water to a small pot.
- Let it heat for some time until it starts boiling.
- Add 1-2 teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers.
- Let it boil for some time.
- Stir the mixture properly.
- Strain out all the solid particles with the help of a tea strainer.
- Add honey and lemon juice to the strained liquid for a refreshing taste.
Health Benefits of Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is packed with health benefits. Ayurveda has acknowledged its advantages since time immemorial. It significantly cures several health problems due to which it has gained popularity in terms of medicinal use. Chamomile tea is not only effective in curing physical disorders, but also has wondrous effect in keeping both mind and spirit healthy. Let us have a look at its enormous benefits and medicinal usages.
Chamomile Tea reduces Stress and Anxiety
Since life has become stressful, there are many who suffer from anxiety and depression. As a cure to this, doctors prescribe anti-depressants, which are expensive as well as prone to induce side effects. Moreover, these pose temporary solution to the problem. On the other hand, chamomile tea is a permanent solution to anxiety disorder, if incorporated in daily schedule. It is a great nerve relaxant and stress reliever. The aroma of chamomile tea also has therapeutic impact on the body. It ensures a refreshing and relaxing effect on the senses when inhaled. Every sip of chamomile tea brings you to a step closer to the joyous world.
Chamomile Tea helps improving immunity
Chamomile tea plays an indispensable role in fighting weak immune system. Regular intake of the brew greatly boosts up immunity and prevents frequently occurring health problems including the dreadful common cold.
Chamomile Tea induces sleep and aids in Insomnia
It is always better to treat sleeping disorder with natural herbal remedy instead of depending on drugs that are meant to put a person to sleep. Chamomile tea has a spectacular effect on insomnia and reduces all signs of it. It re-establishes peaceful and calms the mind. Chamomile tea is also known as nighttime tea for its sedative effects.
Chamomile use in skin diseases
Chamomile tea helps in maintaining healthy and glowing skin devoid of any problem. The antioxidants present in chamomile help in flushing out harmful toxins from the body.
Regular consumption of it can be quite beneficial in terms of providing anti-inflammatory properties. It can soothe chicken pox, bruises, rashes, insect bites, sunburns, acne, itchiness, inflammation, eczema, skin irritations, psoriasis, etc.
Antioxidant action of Chamomile fights against Cancer
Chamomile tea has antioxidant properties that help fight against cancer. It also has a significant role to play in preventing cancer. It slows down the growth and may prevent spread of cancer cells especially in case of breast cancer and leukemia cancer.
Chamomile can reduce blood sugar in Type-2 diabetes
Chamomile tea helps in keeping hyperglycemia under control besides preventing other complications associated with diabetes like vision loss or kidney damage. It also plays a pivotal role in preventing diabetes. `
Protective action of chamomile tea in cardiovascular diseases
Chamomile tea is quite effective in curing ailments associated with heart. It maintains normal blood pressure and drastically acts on bringing down high blood pressure.
The antioxidants in chamomile tea potentially fight against the abnormalities. The chemicals in chamomile tea has blood-thinning effect due to which blood vessels remain healthy, blood circulation improves and heart is provided with long term protection against cardiovascular diseases.
Analgesic effect of chamomile in Rheumatoid arthritis
You can manage rheumatoid arthritis with the help of daily intake of chamomile tea. It gradually reduces the intensity of pain and restores normal life, which is otherwise disrupted by arthritis.
Chamomile tea can help in Dental problems
Common dental problems like painful gums, canker sores, gingivitis and toothaches can be treated with the help of chamomile tea. One cup of chamomile tea daily can prove to be very soothing and relieving for people facing frequent dental issues.
Chamomile tea alleviates stomach pain
Chamomile tea works wonders on tummy troubles and digestive issues. It relieves stomach of pain, gassiness and nausea.
Chamomile reduces menstrual cramps
Chamomile tea soothes the muscles of uterus and relieves disastrous cramps that occur during menstrual days.
Dosage of chamomile tea
You can drink 2 cups of chamomile tea a day. You should not consume of chamomile tea more than four cups a day to avoids its side effects.
Chamomile Tea Side Effects
You should figure out if you are allergic to any plant belonging to Asteraceae (Compositae) family then you might be allergic to chamomile as well. Chamomile tea causes skin reactions and respiratory disorders in people who are allergic to it.
Consult a doctor on consuming chamomile tea before undergoing any surgery. It has blood-thinning effect.
Chamomile tea should be avoided while driving. It has sedative effect (mild though).
Too much consumption of chamomile tea should be avoided within a short span of time. It has effects of nausea.
Chamomile in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
You should AVOID Chamomile tea during pregnancy because it works as a uterine stimulant. Therefore, it has great chances of causing miscarriage.
There is no information available regarding its intake during breastfeeding. It is better to consult a doctor about it for safer implications.
Contraindications
Since, chamomile tea has mild sedative effect, so you should not take it with any other prescribed or over-the-counter drugs. The safest option is to consult a healthcare provider about it.
Drug Interactions
Chamomile tea can interact with blood thinners. It increases the blood thinning effect of anti-platelets and anti-coagulants.
It also interacts with diabetes medications and emergency contraceptives. Therefore, you should always consult your healthcare provider if you are on a plan of including chamomile tea in daily schedule.