The calming benefits of chamomile tea

The benefits of chamomile tea for helping sleep and fighting anxiety may be worth taking a dip in. Learn more about how to make chamomile tea to get a good night’s sleep in this guide.

Ah, there is nothing like a hot, fragrant cup of tea Chamomile tea To wash away anxiety and insomnia. Dried chamomile flower from the chamomile plant (Matricaria recutita) have been used since Roman times for their calming effects. Today, an increasing number of studies are showing that there may be some real relaxing benefits of chamomile tea.

What are the benefits of chamomile tea?

What is the magical relaxing ingredient in chamomile? A yellow compound called apigenin, which is one of the phenolic flavonoids in chamomile, appears to be the most promising ingredient. Let’s take a look at the science behind chamomile’s effect on your brain.

A 2005 study published in Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin I looked at apigenin, and linked it to its sleep-promoting and calming effects. Since then, more research has validated this hypothesis. A 2017 study published in Complementary therapies in medicine Concluded that the use of chamomile extract has the potential to significantly improve sleep quality in the elderly, making it a safer alternative to pharmaceutical sleep medications that can lead to withdrawal symptoms and other negative side effects.

A study funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and published in the August 2009 issue of Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology Reviewed the effects of chamomile in patients diagnosed with mild to moderate generalized anxiety disorder. The 57 participants received either chamomile capsules containing 220 mg of the extract standardized with 1.2 percent apigenin, or a placebo, a chamomile-scented capsule with lactose. Chamomile was associated with a greater decrease in standardized test scores for severe anxiety, compared to a placebo. These positive results were reproduced in a more recent study published in 2016 in Plant medicine. These researchers found that individuals who took an oral chamomile extract for 8 weeks had a clinically significant reduction in symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, and reported that chamomile may have the potential to produce a more favorable risk/benefit ratio than typical anxiety medications, which can have side effects such as increased Weight and insomnia. Furthermore, an exploratory study that found a significant reduction in standardized depression scores for chamomile versus a placebo was published in the September-October 2012 issue of Alternative therapies in health and medicine.

So, will your next cup of chamomile tea help with anxiety and insomnia? Although traditional drug treatments for depression, anxiety, and insomnia have helped many, many people are not interested in trying these medications for many reasons, including potential side effects and cultural or financial concerns. Thus, chamomile may be a promising “natural” calming agent to add to your pantry.

Evidence shows that the biologically active ingredients in Matricaria recutita It has the ability to calm you down, but it may not be plentiful enough in one or two tea bags to help all people. More testing needs to be done on chamomile remedies until we fully understand their effectiveness, as well as the beneficial dosage. However, you certainly can’t underestimate the mental health power of taking a few moments to yourself while you sit and sip on the warm herbal flavors of a cup of chamomile tea.

How to make chamomile tea

You can find chamomile tea in most supermarkets and natural foods stores, either in loose leaf bags or re-measured bags. All you need to do is boil water or put a tea bag or spoonful of it Loose leaf chamomile tea in tea strainer Into a teacup or mug, and pour hot water. Leave to steep for 5-10 minutes before removing the tea bag or tea strainer. Serve as desired with a touch of honey, agave, or lemon, or on its own. Note: You can grow your own chamomile flowers (pictured above) very easily. I grow it every year in my garden, and I’ve seen it grow wild in Greece along the roads. Simply harvest the flowers of the chamomile plant, allow them to dry, and then store them in airtight containers. Use the dried flowers to make tea using a tea infuser. Try making lavender chamomile tea by blending a few dried lavender flowers.

Does chamomile tea contain caffeine?

No, chamomile is an herbal tea, so it never contains caffeine, unless it is blended with an actual tea (Camellia sinensis), such as green, black, or white tea. Look at the label of your tea blends to ensure that your tea is 100% herbal and caffeine-free.