Herbal Thursday: Chamomile
Beyond the Teacup: Discover Chamomile’s surprising benefits and healing properties for anxiety, digestion, skin, and more!
Ah, the cheery chamomile! This bright, daisy-like flower grows medicinal goodness in all parts of the plant. The flower, especially, is packed with disease-fighting antioxidants.
Perhaps, however, you mostly associate chamomile with relaxation. This is indeed one of its most popular uses. If you're stressed, a cup of chamomile tea can help you unwind after work or before bed.
Not only that, though, chamomile has been used for centuries for its other medicinal benefits, such as reducing inflammation, treating insomnia, healing hemorrhoids, and more.
Origins of Chamomile
The chamomile plant is native to Western Europe as well as Northern Africa. However, today, several different climates all over the world grow and export chamomile. Specifically, Germany, Poland, France, Great Britain, Italy and Belgium are all major exporters of chamomile. German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) in particular has strong medicinal qualities, and differs biologically from the Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). (1)
As mentioned above, the medical use of chamomile has a long history. In fact, doctors in Europe and in the early settlements of America used to carry chamomile with them, as they knew it had many medicinal benefits. Learn all about these fantastic benefits by reading the list below!
Chamomile Benefits
1. Provides the Body with Antioxidants
Antioxidants play a key role in reducing inflammation and protecting against oxidative stress. Chamomile boasts a rich antioxidant profile that helps fight free radical damage. Chamomile may help lower inflammation and prevent cell mutation, both of which can lead to disease. The antioxidants in chamomile can boost the immune system, fight mood disorders, reduce pain and swelling, and promote healthy skin. (2)
Be sure to incorporate at least one cup of organic chamomile tea in your daily routine to help fight the development of disease.
2. Fights Anxiety and Depression
Chamomile benefits include the ability to fight anxiety and depression. Whether it's used in tea or essential oil form, chamomile acts as a powerful medicinal herb to help fight stress, induce relaxation, and balance hormones. Studies have shown that inhaling chamomile essential oil works as a natural remedy for anxiety and insomnia, as well as a home treatment for depression. (3)
Try diffusing the essential oil in your home to treat anxiety or depression. Or try a cup of chamomile tea before bed.
The extract form of chamomile is typically used for its mild sedative properties — to ease anxiety and depression. In fact, chamomile extract is great for treating common sleep-related maladies, such as night terrors or nightmares, and may even help relieve sleep paralysis and hallucinations. (4)
3. Improves Digestion
Chamomile benefits digestion by acting as a natural relaxant. It can help a variety of gastrointestinal problems, including diarrhea, indigestion, gas and acid reflux symptoms, along with motion sickness, nausea and vomiting. Chamomile oil can also help prevent spasms and relieve cramping, constipation, leaky gut and IBS symptoms. (5)
Also, chamomile can help heal these gut-related issues because it’s a natural relaxant. The Vagus nerve, which provides a communication channel between the brain and the gut, benefits from a calm mind and a relaxed body. As such, the brain-gut connection allows for both mental and physical healing with the use of a relaxant.
Think about what happens when some people get nervous. It's an emotional response, and yet it affects them physically, too. For example, some people tremble or feel butterflies in their stomach. Others vomit or may have loose stools. This is part of the reason why relaxants like chamomile can come in handy and help address digestive issues. (6)
4. May Help Fight Cancer
Research suggests that chamomile benefits may include the ability to help fight cancer. In a study published by the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, researchers found that chamomile extract was able to significantly reduce human cancer cells that can lead to prostate cancer. (7)
In a study published in 2016, researchers demonstrated that chamomile extract induces apoptosis — programmed cell death — in breast cancer cells. They concluded that Roman chamomile is a promising anti-breast cancer agent. (8)
5. Promotes Skin Health
Traditionally, native cultures used a salve made from chamomile for wounds. Science has shown that the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of chamomile promote wound healing and healthy skin. In fact, wound infections are one of the most prevalent of the infectious diseases, and herbal remedies still hold a place in health and healing wounds and skin infections. The flavonoids in chamomile penetrate below the skin's surface to soothe dry, irritated skin. Chamomile can be used to help treat ulcers, eczema, gout, bruises, canker sores and other wounds. (9)
6. Improves Heart Health
Chamomile benefits include the ability to improve heart health, thanks to the flavonoids it contains. Researchers found a link between higher flavonoid intake from foods and herbs and a reduced risk of mortality from coronary heart disease. And simply drinking chamomile tea for the five-year study period led to a small yet significant improvement in blood pressure values. To improve your heart health, consider drinking a one to two cups of chamomile tea every day. (10)
Warnings to Consider
If you are allergic to ragweed or daisies, you may also have an allergy to chamomile. If you use or consume chamomile and notice any allergic reaction, discontinue use. It's important to note that if this reaction includes swelling of the tongue or throat, you need to seek immediate medical attention. Furthermore, chamomile can cause drowsiness; drink responsibly.
Generally speaking, pregnant women should not consume chamomile. It may not be safe, whether in the early or late stages of pregnancy. However, some sources claim that most commercialized herbal teas, including chamomile, are safe for pregnant women to drink. If you have any questions about the safety of drinking chamomile tea during pregnancy, consult your healthcare professional.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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