Talking about chamomile tea or chamomile tea is referring to one of the best herbs that provide healthy benefits, in addition to its aroma and flavor. Since ancient times this noble plant has been used to help humanity in a large number of conditions.
Chamomile has many uses, the main one being as a drink in infusions, also in the cosmetic part of creams, soaps, shampoos, perfumes, in holistic aromatherapy treatment, as natural medicine and more.
Since ancient times, chamomile has been used as a healing plant, it is said that it originated in Europe and North Asia, but then it spread to the whole world and its use has now multiplied from one generation to another.
The chamomile plant
The chamomile plant is also called chamomile and is scientifically known as matricaria recutita, from which the flowers are used and their essential oils are extracted.
Among the essential components that can be obtained in the plant are:
- Valeric acid.
- volatile oil.
- Flavonoids.
- Tannins.
- Salicylates and cyanogenic glycosides.
Regarding the medicinal actions we have:
- anti-inflammatory
- Antispasmodic.
- bitter.
- Sedative.
- Antiemetic.
- carminative
- Antiallergic.
Description of the flowers: they have a great resemblance to daisies, however, much smaller in size, they are harvested between the first days of summer until autumn. Its fragrance resembles chamomile apples. The leaves of the plant are usually spike-shaped and pinnate with a mild scent.
Chamomile and chamomile
Chamomile, which comes from the daisy family, is very common in the meadows of a good part of the Iberian Peninsula, represents joy and is a symbol of spring.
The word chamomile comes from the Greek kamai melon or earth apple, which refers to its aroma.
Its scientific name is Chamaemelum noble, Anthemis nobilis and its popular name is Chamomile or chamomile.
What is chamomile tea good for?
Chamomile tea is used to treat many health conditions, including many chamomile tea benefits we can name:
- As an anti-inflammatory: Chamomile tea is ideal for reducing symptoms related to spasms, muscle pain, cramps, and gastrointestinal disorders, since it has the ability to protect and help repair the gastric membrane. It also reduces inflammation in case of menstrual disorders. Topically prepared chamomile tea is used for swelling of the skin, around the eyes, sunburn, eczema, and rashes.
- As a calming effect: The consumption of chamomile tea helps in case of stress, because it reduces stress levels as well as anxiety, because it increases the production of glycine, also helping to reduce depressive symptoms.
Likewise, drinking chamomile tea or chamomile tea contributes to the induction of sleep , since it has a component called apigenin which acts on the receptor part of the brain causing drowsiness, thus obtaining a natural way to fall asleep and relax the mind.
To prevent some heart conditions, chamomile tea contains flavonoids, a type of antioxidant that favors the reduction of cholesterol and triglyceride blood values, which are the main causes of heart conditions.
Also in this sense, chamomile tea has the potential to help reduce blood pressure and prevent arteriosclerosis.
To strengthen the immune system, with the infusion of chamomile tea, you can improve digestive infections and, in turn, the intestinal flora. This process in the digestive system allows proper functioning of the organs and therefore the immune system.
Also thanks to the properties of chamomile, it helps fight nasal congestion and reduces inflammatory episodes.
Contributes to maintaining regular blood glucose levels, chamomile tea or chamomile tea acts on the pancreas, which is the organ that produces insulin, controlling the glycemic index. In this sense, if you drink the tea on an empty stomach and after meals, you will moderate this disease.
In cases of skin wounds, with the preparation of chamomile tea, you can use it as a topic to help the skin heal faster, also in cases of irritation.
In addition, thanks to the phenolic compounds and tannins of chamomile, these reduce the effects of aging on the skin, thanks to the fact that it promotes the production of collagen.
What does chamomile taste like?
Chamomile is an herb that has a sweet floral flavor, unlike other teas that belong to the Camellia sinensis plant such as black tea and green tea, chamomile tea does not contain caffeine. Because it has a very pleasant flavor, it can be enjoyed by people of any age. As for its smell, it is of green apples that is perceived by rubbing the petals.
How to prepare a healthy chamomile tea
To prepare a healthy chamomile tea you need:
- Stainless steel filter (sphere shaped).
- Small colander (fabric if possible).
- a saucepan
- A cup.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of chamomile flowers.
- 1 cup of water.
Preparation:
Pour the cup of water into the saucepan, if you want to prepare a larger quantity, add one more cup of water for each drink. Take the saucepan with the water to the fire.
Add the tablespoons of chamomile flowers, if you want more tea, double the tablespoons of chamomile flowers.
Let the preparation boil for approximately 5 minutes.
Then remove the preparation from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes.
Then strain the liquid so that there are no residues in the infusion.
You can add sugar or any sweetener to your liking at the end.
You can also prepare chamomile tea in a faster and easier way, using the stainless steel filter or the ready-made infusion bags.
For this way, boil the water in a saucepan or in the microwave, then place the chamomile flowers or the bag in the filter, cover the preparation and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
Finally uncover and if you prefer sweeten to your liking and start enjoying a healthy tea.
What happens if I drink chamomile tea with honey?
The best way to use chamomile is to prepare infusions using its flowers. When we prepare chamomile tea with honey, it helps us to fall asleep better, since honey contains a natural sugar that produces a small secretion of insulin. .
Thus, through insulin, the creation of melatonin is allowed, since this hormone is in charge of regulating sleep. That is why it is recommended to drink chamomile tea with honey before bed to have a better rest.
What happens if I drink green tea with chamomile?
Green tea is a variety of tea that comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, and is made with fresh leaves of the bush or with new shoots of the plant when they have not yet been oxidized or fermented. Green tea has among its benefits being an adjuvant in weight loss.
As for chamomile tea, it has the possibility of increasing metabolic function coupled with its water content that helps to satisfy the appetite.
If we combine green tea with chamomile we create one of the best natural metabolic accelerators, since both help digestion and reduce blood sugar levels.
Green tea recipe with chamomile
Ingredients
To prepare a liter of tea requires:
- 2 tablespoons of green tea.
- A tablespoon of chamomile or 4 bags.
Preparation
Place the water in a saucepan along with the chamomile and green tea, then bring it to the heat.
Let it boil for 5 minutes, turn off the heat.
Put the infusion to rest for 5 minutes.
Strain the infusion.
Serve the hot preparation, it gives for 4 cups.
How is chamomile used to reduce inflammation?
We have already talked about some uses of chamomile tea to reduce inflammation, however, another of its uses is the use of chamomile tea bags, soaked and at a warm temperature, placed as compresses, it is an excellent and very homemade that is used to relieve discomfort in the eyes such as the famous styes, also for tired eyes, conjunctivitis or inflammation of the conjunctiva and reduce inflammation in the ear area.
What happens if I drink chamomile tea with cinnamon?
Cinnamon is usually said especially to the bark of the Canelo tree, when the epidermis is extracted from the tree, it emits a very characteristic flavor and aroma. Cinnamon contains a large number of health properties.
Among the benefits that cinnamon provides is:
- As a natural relaxant and helps calm the discomfort associated with menstruation.
- It helps in the digestive process to improve slow or heavy digestions, also reducing bloating.
- It is a natural antioxidant with diuretic and purifying qualities.
- Helps lower cholesterol levels.
- It accelerates the metabolism, therefore, it is an ally when it comes to helping burn body fat.
- It helps regulate body temperature, making it wonderful on those cold winter days.
- It helps keep the brain active, which allows for better concentration when studying or working.
Combining chamomile tea with cinnamon tea enhances each of the benefits listed above, as both teas have similar properties that can work very well together.
Cinnamon Chamomile Tea Recipe
Ingredients
To prepare 1 liter of tea requires:
- A tablespoon of chamomile or 4 bags.
- A large stick of cinnamon.
Preparation
Place the water in a saucepan together with the cinnamon stick, then take it to the fire until it boils.
Let it boil for 5 minutes.
Then add the chamomile, turn off the heat.
Put the infusion to rest for 5 minutes.
Strain the infusion.
Serve the preparation hot, it gives for 4 cups of tea.
This preparation is ideal to eat after each meal and at night before going to sleep.
As for some contraindications, although chamomile tea with cinnamon has very good benefits, it is not recommended in cases of pregnancy or when its existence is suspected, because cinnamon provides a rise in temperature. body and can cause the uterus to contract and cause an abortion.
Similarly, it is not recommended in cases during breastfeeding, since it can cause allergic hypersensitivity in the baby.
Also the consumption of cinnamon in high doses affects the body giving symptoms of cramps, drowsiness and acceleration of the heart rate.
With regard to chamomile, it is contraindicated in cases of people with allergic rhinitis, or those who are sensitive to the use of chamomile, also in children under 6 years of age because they can cause allergies.
If you want to enjoy the combination of chamomile tea with cinnamon, take all these tips to avoid possible complications or side effects.
What happens if I drink chamomile tea every day?
Chamomile is known to have multiple benefits that make it the ideal infusion for a good healthy drink.
However, despite the fact that drinking chamomile tea is safe, it is recommended not to exceed the intake of tea, since excess can result in an allergic reaction, it can also cause skin or eye irritation if applied directly.
Another contraindication that you may have is vomiting as a result of taking large amounts of chamomile tea.
In the same way, it could interfere with the use of certain medications such as anticoagulants, contraceptives and hypoglycemics.
In cases of pregnancy it is unknown if there are adverse effects or in breastfeeding, however it is advised not to abuse its consumption.
What are the benefits of drinking chamomile tea at night?
For many people, drinking chamomile tea at night is very frequent and it does them good. It is so that the chamomile tea is perhaps one of the ones with the most benefits for health and that is why it has become one of the favorites on the market.
Chamomile tea is used by those people who like to obtain a natural effect for the conditions that afflict them, especially those that have to do with the sensation of relaxation, tranquility and rest, that is why it is selected as the favorite at the time of rest at night in such a way that it provides a restful sleep without interruption.
Other uses of chamomile
Chamomile goes beyond its usefulness in terms of health, it can be used to prepare various cosmetic and garden products.
In this sense we will name some other uses that we can extract from this popular plant:
- as a facial cleanser
Chamomile is very useful for those who suffer from acne or have excess oil production on the face.
With the preparation of chamomile tea, a delicate skin cleanser can be made to remove or reduce impurities as well as reduce puffiness and dark circles.
With the preparation of filtered chamomile tea, it is stored in a glass container.
A cotton ball is moistened with the cleanser and rubbed all over the face.
It is recommended to use it in the morning and at night before going to bed to sleep.
- Natural hair lightener
The chamomile tea incorporated into the shampoo for your usual use favors as a treatment for blonde hair to obtain a natural lightening or softer reflections.
The properties of chamomile tea contribute to achieving shine in your hair and healthy hair.
With the preparation of half a cup of filtered chamomile tea (125 ml) and a cup of hair shampoo.
Mix the chamomile tea preparation with the shampoo and you can use it as usual.
Its effectiveness will depend on the frequency of its use.
- As a repellent for pests and plant diseases
Chamomile tea is also an excellent repellent to keep pests and diseases away from garden plants.
With the preparation of 1 cup of filtered chamomile tea, 1 liter of water, 1 bottle and 1 spray bottle.
Add the liquids to the spray bottle and spray it on the garden plants several times a week.