Chamomile Tea Benefits: Here Are 5 Ways It Can Boost Your Health!
You've likely heard that drinking chamomile tea before bed can help you relax and, therefore, get a better night's sleep. But did you know that drinking chamomile tea benefits your health in even more ways?
Thanks to the properties in this plant, chamomile benefits your body by helping to treat skin problems, fight arthritis pain, and more! Keep reading to learn everything you need know about the powerful benefits of chamomile tea!
5 Amazing Chamomile Tea Benefits
Here are five incredible benefits of drinking chamomile tea along with the reasons why it displays such powerful health benefits.
1. Helps treat wounds, rashes, and burns
Chamomile has been traditionally used to help treat wounds, rashes, burns, eczema, and more skin problems for centuries. And this is largely due to its anti-inflammatory and astringent properties.
According to a 2018 animal study, treating infected wounds with chamomile was found to be more effective than treating with the antibiotic tetracycline alone. [1]
Researchers found that only did the chamomile display antibacterial activity but it also sped up the wound healing time compared to the antibiotic treatment.
Meanwhile, additional studies found that can help to calm and soothe eczema outbreaks.
Interestingly, in a double-blind study a cream containing chamomile was compared against a hydrocortisone cream and a placebo cream in the treatment of eczema for a period of two weeks.
The findings showed that the chamomile-containing cream was superior to the other two creams in providing eczema relief. [2]
If you’re dealing with a minor skin issue, consider using these chamomile tea benefits in the form of a compress. Simply steep the tea bag in hot water and place it onto your skin for up to 15 minutes at a time for relief.
2. Fights bacterial infections
Amazingly, chamomile tea benefits also extend to fighting bacterial infections, and that’s because this plant in the daisy family has been shown to contain antibacterial properties.
Studies have even found that chamomile inhibits Helicobacter pylori, a type of bacteria known to contribute to stomach ulcers. [3] Specifically, the properties in chamomile known to contain anti-microbial properties are alpha-bisabolol, luteolin, quercetin, and apigenin. [4]
Personally, I recommend drinking a cup of chamomile tea on a regular basis to support not only gut health but also to maintain a health overall health, especially if you’re battling seasonal allergy symptoms, which can turn into bacterial sinusitis.
3. Reduces anxiety and relieves insomnia
One of my favorite chamomile tea benefits is its ability to reduce anxiety and promote better sleep.
According to one animal study, German chamomile extract was revealed to significantly inhibit brain activity related to generalized anxiety disorder. [5]
Meanwhile, several studies have also noted that chamomile also contains sedative effects, largely believed to be due to the apigenin found in chamomile. Apigenin is a flavonoid known to bind to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain. [6]
In fact, in a small clinical trial, researchers found that 10 heart patients immediately fell into a deep sleep for a solid hour and a half after drinking chamomile tea. [7]
I love indulging in a cup of chamomile tea when I’m under stress and recommend sipping on a cup before bedtime to help you relax, unwind, and get aa better night’s sleep.
4. Relieves gas, diarrhea, nausea, and more
Amazingly, chamomile tea benefits your digestive health as well. It was traditionally used to help treat manygastrointestinal conditions, such as stomach spasms, colic, upset stomach, gas, ulcers, and more. [8]
It’s particularly helpful because it’s known to help relax the muscles responsible for moving food through the intestines.
Interestingly, studies have shown that using a preparation containing chamomile lowered gastric acid as effectively as commercial antacid and was even more effective in reducing secondary hyperacidity. [9]
Just as with the last few benefits, the best way to take advantage of this benefit of chamomile tea is by drinking a cup as needed. If you find that you experience digestive upset after meals, you may want to sip on a cup immediately following your meal or even in-between meals to help eliminate gas.
5. Fights arthritis and pain
Finally, when it comes to chamomile tea benefits, many people are surprised to learn that it can help manage pain. But if you consider its strong anti-inflammatory properties, this benefit really isn’t too surprising.
According to a 2017 study, when 44 patients with rheumatoid arthritis consumed 6 grams of chamomile tea in two teabags twice daily for a period of 42 days, they experienced both decreased inflammation and reported a decrease in the number of tender points on their bodies. [10]
Meanwhile, a 2013 study revealed that consuming a beverage containing chamomile for four weeks reduced both lower back and knee pain. It also improved joint flexibility. [11]
If you’re searching for natural pain relief and feel that drinking chamomile tea could help you, discuss how much you should be consuming with your doctor. Typically, one cup each day is aa safe bet, but there are some exceptions.
Potential Side Effects of Drinking Chamomile Tea
While drinking chamomile tea benefits many areas of health, it could interfere with certain medications, so make sure to discuss consuming it with your doctor beforehand.
As I mentioned above, it’s also known to cause drowsiness, so use extra caution if you’re planning to leave the house shortly after consuming it.
Finally, it could trigger an allergic reaction, especially if you know you have an allergy to certain plans, such as to ragweed, daisy, marigold, and chrysanthemums.
If you find that you can’t drink chamomile tea, check out my article on other helpful herbal teas you may find beneficial.