Chamomile Tea
Wikipedia: Matricaria_chamomilla | Teaviews: chamomile-teaUpdated: Mar. 23, 2012
About Chamomile Tea
Chamomile, also spelled camomile, is an herb widely used in herbal teas, both on its own and in blends. It is commonly used in herbal teas, but is rarely blended with the tea plant. Because chamomile is so frequently used in herbal blends, and many herbal teas containing chamomile and other ingredients are marketed as "chamomile" or "chamomile tea", the pure herb is sometimes labeled pure chamomile tea or pure camomile tea. Chamomile tea is caffeine-free and is often described as having a calming or soothing quality. It is popular as a bedtime drink.
Chamomile is not a single species, but rather a complex of similar species. Matricaria recutita, often called German chamomile, is a species native to Europe, and is the chamomile most commonly used in herbal teas--usually when you see chamomile for sale it refers to this species. This plant is grown in many countries with diverse climates, from Germany to Guatemala and Egypt. Matricaria discoidea, also called Pineapple weed is a closely related species native to North America, and can also be used for tea. Roman chamomile, Anthemis nobilis, is another similar species, and has medicinal uses.
This category is for teas containing exclusively chamomile and no other herbs. For blends containing chamomile together with other herbs, see chamomile blend.
Health benefits:
Chamomile has long been thought to have a relaxing effect. A study published in 2001 found that drinking chamomile tea was more relaxing than hot water, measured by observing heart rate, skin temperature, and other physiological indicators of relaxation.[1]Recent scientific research points to a number of other health benefits of chamomile as well. A 2006 review of the scientific literature summarized that chamomile tea has been found to have moderate antioxidant and antimicrobial effects, and there is some evidence that it has potent anti-inflammatory activity, as well as antimutagenic, cholesterol-lowering, antispasmodic, and anti-anxiety activity.[2] Antioxidants are common among most teas and herbal teas. A 2008 study suggested that chamomile had the effect of lowering blood sugar, and could be useful for preventing or treating diabetes.[3]
Risks, side effects, and allergic reaction:
The main known side-effect of chamomile is that the herb can act as a blood thinner, and is one of many natural substances known to interact with the prescription blood-thinner Warfarin (Coumadin). Chamomile contains the chemical coumarin, which is chemically and biologically similar to Warfarin/Coumadin, and which can be dangerous when consumed in very high concentrations. However, the amounts in chamomile tea are small and safe for beverage use in normal, healthy people.While not common, there are documented cases of severe allergic reactions to Chamomile. Chamomile is in the aster/daisy family, which also contains common allergens such as ragweed and mugwort; allergies to these plants can cause cross-reactivity and produce a reaction.[4] It is thus important for those with known allergies or risk of allergies to plants in this family to exercise caution with the use of chamomile tea or any products containing chamomile.
References:
1. Moriya Kiyoshi et. al. Correlation between the indices of autonomic nervous system and mood after drinking chamomile tea. Japanese Journal of Biofeedback Research, Vol. 28, 2001.
2. Diane L. McKay, Jeffrey B. Blumberg, A Review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of chamomile tea (Matricaria recutita L.), Phytotherapy Research, vol. 20, no. 7, pp. 519 - 530.
3. Atsushi Kato, Yuka Minoshima, Jo Yamamoto, Isao Adachi, Alison A. Watson, Robert J. Nash, Protective Effects of Dietary Chamomile Tea on Diabetic Complications, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Vol. 56, No. 17, pp 8206–8211, Sep. 10, 2008.
4. J.Subiza, J.Subiza, M.Hinojosa, R.Garcia, M.Jerez, R.Valdivieso, E.Subiza, Anaphylactic reaction after the ingestion of chamomile tea: A study of cross-reactivity with other composite pollens, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Vol. 84, No. 3, pp. 353-358, 1989.
Best Chamomile Tea
The notion of the "best" Chamomile Tea is subjective, because different people have different tastes. We present the most often-rated and highest-rated teas in this category, and allow you to draw your own conclusions.
Most Often-Rated Teas: Chamomile Herbal Tea
2 Ratings | Top-Rated Teas: |
