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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.