What chamomile tea is useful for — 7 proven properties
Chamomile has been used for centuries in folk medicine for the treatment and prevention of respiratory infections.
Modern scientists claim that chamomile is rich in vitamins and flavonoids, which have a complex effect on health and are responsible for the benefits of chamomile tea and any other drinks based on it.
Chamomile infusion has been proven to fight endocrine and cardiovascular pathologies, improve sleep quality, strengthens the immune system and improves the condition of the skin.
7 proven properties
Let's look at the main useful properties that chamomile tea has (based on scientific sources of information).
1. Improves sleep quality
Chamomile is considered the optimal herbal remedy for sleep normalization. The plant contains an antioxidant, apigenin, which acts at the level of the brain and helps to overcome insomnia.
Research show that taking chamomile tea for 2 weeks smoothes the symptoms of depression and improves the quality of sleep. The drink is also effective for insomnia, which is a companion neuroses .
Separately follows mark the works of American scientists. They evaluated the effectiveness of chamomile extract. All subjects who took the extract (270 mg 2 times a day) were on average 30% less likely to wake up at night and fall asleep 15 minutes earlier.
2. Supports the health of the digestive system
Experiments on mice show
Chamomile's ability to eliminate diarrhea in rodents. It is thanks to this therapeutic effect that the plant is often used in folk medicine to increase the density of feces.
Specialists of Mansour University (Egypt) Chamomile tea has been found to reduce the acidity of gastric juice and inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
Such medicinal properties can significantly alleviate the course of chronic gastritis (reduce the frequency of exacerbations) and prevent the formation of ulcers on the mucous membrane of both the stomach and duodenum.
In folk medicine, chamomile tea is often used to eliminate heartburn and Digestive improvements with increased gas formation.
3. Fighting cancer
As already mentioned, chamomile is saturated with apigenin.
Apigenin blocks the formation and, as a result, the effect of free radicals on the cells of the body. It is free radicals that often lead to the death or malignant degeneration of cells.
Chamomile effective in order to prevent tumors of the mammary glands in women, intestinal walls, skin, prostate gland in men, as well as leukemia.
Small studies celebrate that chamomile tea also helps prevent the formation of thyroid cancer.
Chamomile tea is recommended for elderly people to drink, since it is they who have cancer most often.
4. Reduces blood sugar levels
Common meadow chamomile is an effective tool for controlling glycemic metabolism in the human body.
Chamomile possesses has a protective effect on the beta cells of the pancreas, thereby preventing the development of type I diabetes mellitus.
Against the background of regular consumption of chamomile tea, there is a decrease in the concentration of glucose in blood plasma. He increases the production of insulin, which is responsible for the utilization of sugar.
One study showed that people who drank chamomile tea daily for 2 months had an average blood sugar content significantly lower than those who did not take it.
Flavonoids of the plant also fight insulin resistance, the main pathogenetic mechanism of the formation of type II diabetes mellitus. They increase the sensitivity of peripheral receptor complexes to insulin and accelerate the absorption of sugars by cells.
Chamomile tea is recommended for all people suffering from type I and II diabetes mellitus in order to reduce the doses of medications taken, as well as those who have a predisposition to this disease.
5. Supports the health of the heart and blood vessels
Chamomile Flavonoids reduce
blood pressure levels and prevent the development of coronary heart disease, as well as the risk of death from this disease.
Selected studies underline Chamomile tea's ability to improve lipid metabolism. While taking the drink, the concentration of total cholesterol in the blood decreases, as well as its atherogenic fractions (LDL, TAG).
As a result, prevention of the development of diseases associated with atherosclerosis (chronic cerebral ischemia, stroke, coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction) is ensured.
6. Strengthens the immune system
According to research data , chamomile tea normalizes the immune system (general and local factors).
It also reduces the likelihood of the introduction of foreign agents from the external environment (bacteria, viruses, fungi) into the mucous membranes and blood.
The drink is recommended to be consumed during the period of an increase in the incidence of acute respiratory infections in order to prevent them.
With an existing cold, chamomile tea helps to reduce sore throat and ease the general condition.
7. Improves the condition of the skin
Chamomile extract is often included in cosmetics to maintain skin health.
Proven that both chamomile tea itself and chamomile-based decoctions moisturize the skin, as well as help to increase its smoothness and elasticity, reduce the likelihood of acne and other inflammatory processes.
Harm and contraindications
Chamomile tea is a healthy drink, but in some cases it can be harmful to health. The main side effects:
- Dehydration. Chamomile has a mild diuretic effect. When taking tea in large volumes, dehydration may develop due to increased excretion of fluid in the urine.
- Bleeding. Chamomile tea "dilutes" the blood. When taking anticoagulants or disaggregants, it is recommended to consume no more than 1-2 cups per day.
- Allergic reactions. They are common. They are characterized by a mild course (conjunctivitis, rhinitis, skin rashes). It is possible to develop cross-reactions in the presence of allergies to chrysanthemums or ragweed. If you are allergic to chamomile in the anamnesis, the drink is contraindicated.
Chamomile tea in reasonable amounts can be taken by children starting from 3 years old.
The drink is not capable of harming the health of the mother and fetus during pregnancy.
Admission Tips
Let's look at the main features of the preparation and use of chamomile tea:
- How to brew? It is necessary to pour 1-2 tsp. of dried crushed grass and chamomile flowers 200-250 ml of water (temperature about 85 degrees). Let it brew for 15-20 minutes, strain. The drink is ready to be taken. It is better to buy loose pharmacy tea, rather than in bags from the store.
- When is it better to drink? Chamomile tea is preferably taken in the evening or at night, as it has a sedative effect and causes slight drowsiness. It is also ideal for stress loads and worry.
- How much can I drink? It is recommended to consume no more than 1-2 cups of drink per day (200-250 ml each). Taking large amounts increases the risk of side effects.
- What is better to combine with? To increase the biological potential, you can add mint and melissa to the drink (they will enhance sedative properties), lemon (increase immunity), honey (it will effectively fight colds) or thyme (it will improve the general condition of inflammatory processes, relieve pain and relieve inflammation).
Conclusion
- Chamomile tea is a healthy drink that can be taken by people of all ages, as well as women during pregnancy.
- It lowers blood pressure and fights atherosclerosis, prevents the development of cancer and type I and II diabetes mellitus, improves skin condition and sleep quality, increases the body's resistance to pathogens of infectious diseases.
- The drink has a number of contraindications that must be taken into account before taking it.
