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Chamomile, daisy-like plants, that are used as medicinal plants for thousands of years. Chamomile plants are a part of the Asteraceae family. German and Roman are the two types of chamomile. The Roman chamomile plants are used as creepers. While Germans mostly use chamomile for making tea. The health benefits of chamomile are countless.
The German chamomile and Roman chamomile plants differ in their appearance as well as in their constitution. German chamomile, as per the results of a study is having higher levels of an active ingredient called chamazulene.
It is known as a caffeine-free alternative and has an earthy bitter-sweet taste. There is also evidence that it can reduce the severity of depression and anxiety.
1. The Origin of Chamomile
Chamomile is an aromatic plant with many medicinal benefits. The chamomile flowers are inflorescences. They belong to the daisy family and the word chamomile origins from two Greek words Khamai and melon. Khamai means ‘on the ground’, and melon means ‘apple’.
The two types of chamomile, German and Roman, have morphological differences. Thus, they also have differences in their properties and uses. Chamomile originated in Europe and West Asia. It was mostly used by Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks.
Chamomile is widespread in the medieval age. It was prescribed for fever from the sixteenth century. It’s annual consumption. It is most known as a tea, but it can also be taken as salad and drinks.
2. Chamomile Tea Benefits
By now you might have seen many people using this amazing chamomile tea and receiving all the luxuries of it. And now let’s decode the healthiest tea here. But what is the perfect dose? Research states that 900 to 1200 milligrams should be enough.
And just steep the chamomile tea bags or the powder through a strainer in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. And there’s you see the yellow expensive and largely refreshing cup of drink ever.
Chamomile tea is said to hold many advantages. The health benefits of chamomile are still being researched. Chamomile has effects on treating illnesses, including diabetes and cancer.
2.1. Health Benefits of Chamomile
Chamomile has many medicinal effects. And these medicinal effects are due to the flavonoids present in the chamomile flowers. Below mentioned are a few known benefits of chamomile tea.
- reduces inflammation – it is used as a natural remedy for the common cold, cough and reduces inflammation. This helps in fighting infections like stomach ulcers
- and helps in sleeping and relaxation – researchers say that chamomile functions as a benzodiazepine and is a mild tranquilizer. As it brings the whole body into a calm state, you can sleep better
- slowing and preventing osteoporosis – chamomile has anti-estrogenic effects. It helps in decreasing bone density
- and reduces menstrual pain – Researchers state that women felt less anxiety after using chamomile tea for a month
- treats cold symptoms – its anti-oxidant properties help in tissue repair, thus inhaling steam with chamomile can help in improving cold conditions
- treats diabetes – chamomile consumption has shown interesting results in lowering blood sugar and preventing the development of diabetic symptoms such as blur of vision, nerve damage.
- lowering blood pressure – chamomile helps in relaxing, by lowering the blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- cancer treatment and prevention – chamomile contains apigenin which targets and fights cancer cells
- and eliminates stress – chamomile increases serotonin levels which can eliminate stress and anxiety. Thus resulting in better sleep
- treats mild skin conditions – chamomiles assist in healing mild skin conditions
The above list shows the reputation chamomile carries for healing. Chamomile also carries a lot of potential benefits for the whole body of an individual in and out.
3. Benefits of Chamomile Tea for Skin
Chamomile tea is popular not just because of its delicious mellow silky taste. Its amazing and extensive health benefits from improving the immune system to lowering the risk of cardiac problems are what make this herbal tea one of the most famous teas.
Chamomile tea contains chamazulene. Chamazulene is an aromatic compound that consists of anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Chamomile is rich in flavonoids and terpenoids.
Chamomile is usually used in its dried form. It is used not just to make tea. It is also used to make essential oils, tinctures, and cool compressors.
Chamomile tea has flavonoids that help in reducing spasms. Chamomile is a very healthy beverage with a comforting aroma and deliciously rich taste.
Chamomile is also known for its potency in healing skin. This herbal tea is best known for its sleep effects. It gets you a perfect beauty sleep, which is the most prioritized remedy for skin benefits.
Let us look at a few more interesting skin benefits of chamomile that you wouldn’t want to miss.
3.1. Dark Circles
Yes, you can just say goodbye to dark circles with the help of chamomile tea. Chamomile, the dried golden flowers, are like a powerhouse of antioxidants. Thus they help in tissue regeneration. Chamomile acts as a natural bleach. It helps in lightening the skin.
Just refrigerate the used chamomile tea bag. Massage your eyes a little, and then apply the chilled chamomile tea bag to your eyes. This also helps in reducing the eye puffiness that most people experience after oversleeping.
After using the chamomile tea bag, an instant difference, and lightened skin can be observed around the eyes.
3.2. Battles Against Acne
Almost everyone on this planet might have been through the battle against acne. But with the chamomile armor, one can win this battle. Chamomile-dried flowers reduce bacteria and thus help in dealing with breakouts of acne.
Not just that, chamomile even helps in preventing any future acne breakouts. The antibacterial properties of chamomile help in fighting against acne.
In a coffee grinder, add two chamomile tea bags. And then add enough water to make it a paste. Apply the paste to the acne.
You can also use chamomile tea, if not for teabags. After the tea settles to a normal temperature, you can use cotton to apply it after cleansing.
3.3. Natural Cleanser
Chamomile extract can be used as a natural cleanser. Dried chamomile can be used with sugar as a natural cleanser. Chamomile can also be used as a face scrub with sugar for oily skin people. It also acts as a natural skin moisturizer.
Chamomile improves blood flow. This in turn helps in refreshing the skin. This can give the best results when used at night.
Add the dried chamomile dried flowers to the boiling water. Let it steep for 10 minutes and then strain the flowers. This can be then used as a cleanser after it settles down to room temperature.
3.4. Free Radicals
Free radicals are unstable molecules that contain oxygen with an uneven number of electrons. They cause chemical reactions inside your body, which is called oxidation. This results in chronic inflammation and disorganization of skin cell functions.
Chamomile contains polyphenols. These polyphenols 1help in fighting against free radicals. Thus it helps us in protecting our skin from free-radical damage, such as from pollution.
Intake of chamomile tea every day can help in reducing free radicals.
3.5. Anti-Aging
Anti-oxidants help in minimizing the damage caused by free radicals. The free radical theory of aging states that the changes that occur in the body, through aging, are caused by free radicals. The accumulation of the damage causes aging.
Chamomile is a bag of anti-oxidants and thus will help in slowing down the process of aging. When chamomile tea is applied to the skin, the polyphenols and phytochemicals protect the skin from free radicals.
3.6. Lightens Skin
The above-mentioned benefits already make clear the wonders that chamomile tea can offer to anyone. The next benefit is that it lightens the skin. The anti-oxidants2 in chamomile help in boosting skin health.
It helps in lightening your complexion. Don’t be confused about this with pale skin. You achieve a glow on your skin that is healthy from chamomile tea.
You can add lemon balm or juice to chamomile tea and then apply it to the skin. Chamomile and lemon act as natural skin bleach, that help in lightening the skin.
3.7. Skin Irritations
Redness or irritation over the skin is an indication of inflammation. And sometimes the symptoms of inflammation can be dull or inflamed skin.
Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties that can help you in fighting irritated skin. The anti-fungal properties help in giving general relief from the itchiness.
A chamomile moisturizer will help in reducing skin irritations such as redness by alleviating redness and soothing the skin.
3.8. Sunburn Treatment
Chamomile is the first thing that comes to mind when the question is about a soothing herbal tea. The soothing properties of chamomile tea are not just confined to the mind or body.
UV rays can cause sunburns, tanning, and irritation to the skin. Chamomile is capable of effectively calming the soreness caused by sunburns. Chamomile tea brings comfort and relief very soon even though they don’t carry any artificial ingredients.
A towel can be soaked in the chilled chamomile tea and then applied to the sunburn area.
4. Medical Treatment with Chamomile
Chamomile has been used as a healer for ages. The anti-microbial properties of chamomile help in healing the skin conditions such as wounds. The polyphenols in chamomile tea speed up the process of healing wounds. It also reduces the formation of wrinkles.
Chamomile contains antiseptic properties, that help in treating wounds. The anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties of chamomile tea make sure that the wounds don’t form infections.
4.1. Eczema, Psoriasis, Rosacea
Skin conditions like eczema can be controlled using chamomile tea. Repeated application of chamomile tea has shown moderate results in improving eczema.
Results of the research made on this have said that mild symptoms of rosacea can be treated with a chamomile compress.
4.2. Scalds
Scalds are like a burn on the skin caused by dry or wet heat. After the first aid, one can give two days for it to heal. It is rich in antioxidants and thus helps in the healing process.
Chamomile can be used as a natural remedy for burns. To heal the scalds, a chamomile compress can be used. If not, chamomile cream can be found in stores, which also helps in healing the scalds.
5. Side-effects of Chamomile
Chamomile belongs to the daisy family. It has ragweed and chrysanthemum3 in its family. People who are allergic to these plants might have adverse reactions in their bodies when they use chamomile.
It shouldn’t be used by women who have bleeding disorders without the suggestion of a healthcare provider. Because chamomile contains coumarin, which results in blood-thinning effects. When coumarin combines with coumadin, that have the same adverse effects, it might result in severe health conditions.
German chamomile increases the level of estrogen. Thus people with breast cancer4, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer better not opt for chamomile without the suggestion of a healthcare provider. Chamomile can also irritate the eyes. Rinse with water if it makes direct contact with the eyes.
Asthma patients can have adverse effects if chamomile is used. Chamomile shouldn’t be used at the time of pregnancy without consulting a healthcare provider. Chamomiles are hypersensitive to marigolds, ragweed, daisies, and chrysanthemums.
6. Ways To Use Chamomile
The flower heads of the chamomile plant can be used to make chamomile tea. Liquid extracts and capsules can also be made through chamomile flowering tops. The cream made from this chamomile flower can also be used externally.
Tea powder is available commercially. Or, one can use the dried chamomile flowers to make chamomile tea. The tea made with chamomile can also be used to gargle. Mouth rinse with chamomile gives relief from mouth sores.
After the chamomile tea is prepared, let it cool down. It can then be used to gargle. Chamomile liquid 5extracts can be added to this chamomile tea which can make it strong and perfect for gargling.
To make a tincture the dried chamomile flowers can be homogenized at room temperature in ethanol-water. The liquid is evaporated. This tincture can be substituted in place of tea. It is stronger than tea.
The flower part of chamomile holds many more essential components than other parts of the plant. And thus the lower part is mostly used for medicinal and aromatic purposes. The essential oil can also be used in aromatherapy.
It can be used as a diffuser or can be applied on a piece of cloth and slowly inhaled. It reduces anxiety and aids in calming. When the steam reaches the lungs, it provides relief from any kind of discomfort.
The oil can also be used to do massage. It helps in improving the bloodstream. One can also use a few drops of the chamomile essential oil in hot or cold baths
7. Conclusion
From fever to diarrhea, to indigestion, to gas, from wound healing to skin lightening, from mouth gargling to aromatherapy, from hair rinse to hair brightening, chamomile has an answer. This small daisy-like plant with its pleasant odor is very prolific.
It has been used for centuries and now has a place all over the world. Chamomile is a wildflower with gentle healing properties.
So now the question, ‘Why the only chamomile?’ is answered. And now you know it is not just any tiny daisy-like plant with a sweet aroma and delicious taste but is a plant with many potential benefits.
Chamomile is worth including in your diet as far as you are not allergic to it. There’s no better time than now to brew your cup of chamomile with a spoonful of honey or mint as per your liking!
FAQ
1. Does chamomile have any side effects?
In rare cases, chamomile can cause allergic reactions or interact with certain medications. Excessive consumption of chamomile tea may lead to upset stomach or drowsiness.
2. Can chamomile be used for children?
Chamomile is often considered safe for children, but it’s essential to use age-appropriate dosages and consult a pediatrician before giving it to infants or young children.
3. Does chamomile help with sleep?
Yes, chamomile is popularly used as a natural remedy to promote better sleep and relaxation.
4. How can chamomile be used for skincare?
Chamomile essential oil or chamomile-infused products are used topically to soothe skin irritations, such as eczema, rashes, and sunburns.
Read more
- Rana, Ananya, et al. “Health benefits of polyphenols: A concise review.” Journal of Food Biochemistry 46.10 (2022): e14264. ↩︎
- Ismail, Helene, et al. “Traumatic brain injury: oxidative stress and novel anti-oxidants such as mitoquinone and edaravone.” Antioxidants 9.10 (2020): 943. ↩︎
- Hadizadeh, Hanieh, Leila Samiei, and Abolfazl Shakeri. “Chrysanthemum, an ornamental genus with considerable medicinal value: A comprehensive review.” South African Journal of Botany 144 (2022): 23-43. ↩︎
- Trayes, Kathryn P., and Sarah EH Cokenakes. “Breast cancer treatment.” American family physician 104.2 (2021): 171-178. ↩︎
- Şaylan, Meltem, et al. “Determination of trace nickel in chamomile tea and coffee samples by slotted quartz tube-flame atomic absorption spectrometry after preconcentration with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method using a Schiff base ligand.” Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 88 (2020): 103454. ↩︎
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