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Chamomile Tea Health Benefits – Sleep, Immunity, and More!

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Chamomile tea is a delicious herbal drink made from the dried flowers of the Asteraceae family of plants. It has many health benefits and has been used as a natural remedy for centuries.

This pleasant herbal tea can help us to relax and sleep better, boost our immunity, and it’s also an effective remedy for common colds.

Chamomile tea benefits

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Different forms of Asteraceae plants grow in many parts of the world. Chamomile tea can be made from two different species of Asteraceae: German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) or the perennial Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile).

The flowers of chamomile contain flavonoids, antioxidants, and sesquiterpenes, which have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. German chamomile typically has a higher concentration of beneficial compounds.

Matricaria chamomilla
Matricaria chamomilla also known as German chamomile

I like to drink chamomile tea usually before going to bed. Just inhaling the steam with the scent of chamomile relaxes me immediately. Also, the pleasant taste of it relieves stress and helps me calm down after a busy day.

Continue reading this article to learn about the many health benefits of chamomile tea. I will also list the possible side effects that this herbal tea has.

5 Amazing Chamomile Tea Health Benefits

1. Helps with Sleeping and Relaxing

Chamomile tea is a traditional remedy for treating insomnia and anxiety.

The relaxing qualities of chamomile are at least partly achieved by apigenin, an antioxidant that has tranquilizing properties. It binds to the benzodiazepine receptors in our brain and acts as a sleep inducer together with several other compounds found in chamomile.

Chamomile Tea Health Benefits: Relaxing

A study from 1973, published in The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology suggests that chamomile tea can be used as a sleep aid for people who suffer from restless sleep and sleep apnea. In this study, 10 out of 12 patients fell asleep soon after drinking chamomile tea.

Another study from 2017 had 60 elderly people consuming chamomile extract and it improved their quality of sleep considerably. Research from 2015 also concludes that drinking chamomile tea daily helped postnatal women with depression and sleeping problems.

In addition, chamomile tea seems to work well with relieving chronic stress. A night of good night sleep is an important part of keeping our body’s main stress hormone, cortisol, at normal levels. Chamomile doesn’t contain caffeine, so it is suitable for drinking before bedtime.

Based on research and my own experience, chamomile tea is one of the best herbal remedies for sleep and relaxation.

2. Boosts Immunity

Chamomile tea is rich in phenolic compounds that help strengthen our immune systems and protect our bodies from pathogens. It also contains compounds that may reduce inflammation and boost antibacterial activity.

This may be explained by the fact that drinking chamomile tea increases urinary levels of hippurate, which is a metabolite of plant-based phenolic compounds associated with increased antibacterial activity.

3. Remedy for Colds and Pain

Drinking chamomile tea is a well-known remedy for colds with cough and sore throat. It lubricates irritated throat and helps with headaches (and migraine) that you might get with the colds.

A 2011 research found that inhaling steam that contains chamomile helps with relieving the symptoms of common colds.

There are many studies suggesting that chamomile tea can reduce menstrual pain and cramps.

For example, an Iranian study from 2010 had 80 university students divided into study and control groups. The study group was drinking two cups of chamomile tea per day one week before menstruation and for five first days of the cycle, for a three month period. The women participating in this study reported that chamomile tea relieved their menstrual pain and related psychosocial problems.

Chamomile is also an effective natural remedy for migraine headaches.

4. May Help with Avoiding Cancer

Research suggests that chamomile tea might have properties that help in preventing cancer, but conclusive evidence is still lacking.

There are studies suggesting that the apigenin found in chamomile tea can target cancer cells, especially the digestive tract, breast, skin, prostate, and uterus cancer.

In addition, a study from 2015 with 537 participants concludes that frequent consumption of chamomile tea significantly reduces thyroid cancer and benign thyroid disease development.

5. Prevents or Slows Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a result of losing too much bone or making too little bone, or both at the same time. The result is that the density of bones decreases and they become weaker and can break more easily.

It is most common with women who are over 50 years old and relatively common with elderly men as well. Chamomile can help with stimulating osteoblast activity and thus enhance the density and strength of bones.

Osteoporosis

Possible Side Effects of Chamomile Tea

In general, drinking chamomile tea is considered safe and any adverse effects are rare.

Be aware, however, that some people can get allergic reactions from drinking chamomile tea. This is most common with people who are allergic to other plants in the daisy family (e.g. marigolds, chrysanthemums).

Chamomile Tea FAQ

Does chamomile tea make you sleepy and tired?

Chamomile tea is known for its calming effects and can induce sleepiness and reduce fatigue. It contains apigenin, a compound that can help promote relaxation and sleep.

However, drinking chamomile tea doesn’t necessarily cause immediate sleepiness for everyone. Its impact can vary based on individual sensitivity and the amount consumed.

Can you drink cold chamomile tea?

Yes, you can drink chamomile tea cold or iced. It retains its flavor and calming properties even when served cold. This can be a refreshing option, especially in hot weather.

When is the best time to drink chamomile tea?

The best time to drink chamomile tea is typically in the evening or before bedtime, due to its calming and sleep-inducing properties. However, if you find it relaxing without causing drowsiness, you can also enjoy it at other times of the day.

Final Thoughts on Chamomile Tea Benefits

So as we can see chamomile tea has many benefits and can be used as a natural remedy for several different conditions. But that’s not all.

There are even more potential health benefits that have not yet been thoroughly researched:

  • It may aid with digestion and help with preventing stomach ulcers. It also has the potential to protect us against pathogens that cause diarrhea.
  • It can lower the blood sugar levels of diabetic people. However, it is not a substitute for medication prescribed by a doctor but rather a helpful addition.
  • The flavones, abundant in chamomile tea, can help with lowering blood pressure and bad cholesterol, thus promoting heart health.

Next, I recommend that you watch this short video about the amazing benefits of chamomile tea:

Have Chamomile Tea Before Bed And You'll Wake Up With These 7 Amazing Benefits

In addition to all the previously mentioned health benefits, chamomile tea also contains a small concentration of various nutrients.

It has some vitamin A, riboflavin, thiamin, and folates, but the amounts are very low. It also contains minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc, but only in minor amounts as well. However, these are all beneficial nutrients, and even if the amounts are small, as part of a healthy diet, they are good for our well-being.

In conclusion, we can say that chamomile tea is a drink that can benefit us in many ways.

Being able to sleep well and relax is not always easy, with all the stimuli from the digital devices and other stress of the modern world. Drinking chamomile tea frequently can be a part of a healthy lifestyle, keeping us fit, happy, and well-rested.

If you are planning on buying some chamomile tea, read my guide with the best chamomile tea bags and loose leaf products.

Please share your questions and experiences related to chamomile tea below.


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12 thoughts on “Chamomile Tea Health Benefits – Sleep, Immunity, and More!”

  1. Wow, this was a great article! I learned a lot about the many benefits of chamomile tea, it makes me want to go and drink some now! Do you have any recommendations of which chamomile tea is the best or which brand is the best?

    Reply
  2. I have always liked chamomile tea and knew of its relaxing benefits, but I had no clue about all the other things it is good for. Great article.

    Reply
  3. Oh my goodness, I had no idea that chamomile tea helps prevent osteoporosis!

    Also, I’ve often used chamomile to relax myself, but I never knew why it worked. Thanks for describing apegenin. I feel educated now!

    Reply
    • Hi Wendy!

      Thanks for commenting. I also started drinking chamomile tea years ago and didn’t really know why it made me feel good and relaxed. Well, now we know!

      -Joonas

      Reply
  4. Very informative and I think I will go out and by some Chamomile Tea. I suffer from headaches sometimes at the migraine level and you mentioned this may help. I am tired of taking Excedrine and other headache meds. I truly believe that the tea can be beneficial after reading your article. Can not hurt to try it right?

    Reply
    • Hi James!

      Yes, I recommend drinking at least 2 cups of chamomile tea every evening for at least 2 weeks and see how it affects. I hope it helps you and you can stop or lessen the use of meds.

      -Joonas

      Reply
  5. I love chamomile tea! But you have reminded me of all its benefits. I have not bought any in quite a while and now I want some! I often have a hard time unwinding from a busy day and I just love sipping on a nice, warm cup before bed. I was not aware of its role in lowering blood sugar though. That’s really helpful for me.

    Reply
    • Thanks for commenting Monica!

      The reason I wrote this article was to remind/educate people of all the benefits of chamomile tea. Seems like the post served its purpose!

      Regards,
      Joonas

      Reply
    • According to research chamomile can stimulate osteoblastic cell differentiation and to exhibit an anti-estrogenic effect, which means it can slow osteoporosis. However, this topic has not yet been widely researched.

      Reply

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