Drinking chamomile tea can provide many health benefits. Although research on the effects of chamomile prepared as a tea is limited, studies done with chamomile extract or other forms of chamomile suggest that the herbal tea may have the following health benefits.
May promote better sleep
Some people drink chamomile tea to relax before bed and sleep better. Chamomile contains a variety of compounds, such as apigenin (a type of flavonoid found naturally in plants that acts as an antioxidant), which provide calming effects, promote relaxation and decrease anxiety to help fall asleep more easily, says Monisha Bhanote, MD, an integrative medicine doctor based in Jacksonville, Florida.
A small study from 2017 in Complementary therapies in medicine Found among a sample of 60 older adults, participants who took 200 milligrams of encapsulated chamomile extract twice daily saw significant improvements in sleep quality after 28 days. At the same time, a large review of 12 studies Herbal medicine research concluded that chamomile could be a safe and effective option for improving both sleep quality and anxiety symptoms, but the researchers note that more studies are needed to confirm these benefits.
May alleviate digestive problems
Drinking chamomile tea may improve digestive problems, including diarrhea, ulcerative colitis, and other gastrointestinal disorders. The slightly bitter quality of teas may also help relieve symptoms of indigestion and gently stimulate digestion, according to Holly Bellebuono, herbalist and author of A Herbalists’ Guide to the Form.
Meanwhile, a 2023 study found that chamomile drops were helpful in reducing flatulence in patients after gallbladder removal surgery. Researchers note that this response may be due to chamomile’s ability to relieve inflammation and relax smooth muscles in the digestive tract. Further research is needed to confirm these properties.
May relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Drinking warm herbal teas, including chamomile tea, can help relieve PMS symptoms, says Bellebuono. Chamomile can help reduce anxiety and bloating and soothe an upset stomach. Drink hot chamomile tea [may also] relieve inflammation, pain and spasms of the pelvis, which is particularly useful [for] menstrual cramps.
A 2021 review of seven studies found that chamomile may help reduce menstrual pain associated with PMS and decrease bleeding. A separate study found that among 118 participants, those who took 250 mg of chamomile capsules every eight hours had less severe emotional symptoms associated with PMS than those who received a placebo.
May improve blood sugar control
Chamomile tea may help regulate blood sugar levels because it contains compounds like apigenin and quercetin, says Dr. Bhanote, noting that these compounds have been shown to lower blood sugar levels when preliminary research. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties can [also] indirectly contribute to better blood sugar regulation by fighting insulin resistance and oxidative stress (cellular damage caused by harmful compounds called free radicals), she explains.
A 2016 study in Nutrition found that drinking chamomile tea three times a day for eight weeks reduced insulin levels, improved insulin resistance, and decreased hemoglobin A1C levels (an average of blood sugar levels over time) in people with type 2 diabetes. Additionally, a review of 15 studies found that chamomile may protect against oxidative stress and diabetes-related complications, including kidney and liver problems like fatty liver disease. alcoholic or diabetic nephropathy.
May support heart health
The bioactive compounds in chamomile tea offer potential benefits for heart health, says Dr. Bhanote, explaining that chamomile may help reduce inflammation, regulate blood pressure, and lower cholesterol levels. These effects could be due to the presence of flavonoids in tea, which may support heart health, research suggests.
A 2015 study of 64 people with type 2 diabetes examining the effects of drinking chamomile tea three times a day over an eight-week period reported improvements in hemoglobin A1c and insulin levels of the participants, as well as a significant reduction in their total and LDL cholesterol. levels and triglycerides. Meanwhile, a study carried out in 2017 Phytomedicine Evaluation of the benefits of chamomile for generalized anxiety disorder found that taking 1,500 milligrams of chamomile extract daily significantly reduced participants’ blood pressure and body weight after 12 weeks.
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