Tea of The Month: Chamomile Tea
Chamomile (botanic name Matricaria chamomilla) originates from Eastern Europe and Near East, but now this healing plant is well known and widespread over Europe. Today chamomile is cultivated and grows mostly as a wild plant in uncultivated fields. Whereas this plant is available to everyone easily and is not expensive, very often its healing substances of this plant are underestimated, which is a big mistake, so that is the reason why we remind you that chamomile for Anglo – Saxons were one of seven saint plants. Old Egyptians used chamomile as a cure for fever, rheumatism, sunstroke, insomnia, and bad digestion. Today, this healing plant is most advisable to be used for curing stomach problems, inflammation, stress, and allergies. The name Matricaria chamomilla originates from the Latin word “mother” as an association that is used against sicknesses that affect women.
Chamomile Healing Effects
Now for those who may not know, we will say that the healing part of this plant is the flower, and chamomile is harvested during the period of flowering in April and May. Folk medicine recommends chamomile for a wide spectrum of sicknesses and health problems such as pain in the stomach, bad digestion, various inflammations of the digestive tract, gastritis, cramps, and painful menstruations. Chamomile, famous for its mild action, is very often used for children and against cramps in stomach of babies.
Chamomile Tea Benefits
Chamomile tea has a relaxing effect, so it is useful for the reduction of stress, nervous agitation, psychological exhaustion, and insomnia. Especially, it is recommended for mitigation of insomnia in children. Preparation of chamomile tea is simple, one small teaspoon overflow with 2 decilitres of boiling water, leave to stand 5 minutes, then strain it and drink, preferably without sugar.
Chamomile is welcome for curing skin diseases because it encourages wound healing and mitigates inflammation and irritation. Often it is applied for gynecological flushing and flushing eyes.
Also, chamomile tea is useful for inhalation of respiratory organs, colds, allergic rhinitis, etc. If we wash our face with chamomile tea only once a week, we will have more beautiful and more groomed skin. Rinsing with chamomile tea after washing hair nurtures hair and gives blond hair golden color and a more beautiful shine. Chamomile and milk are recommended as a cure against painful menstruations and as a lining that is prepared when one big spoon with chamomile flowers overflows with 2 decilitres of hot milk. After a few minutes, you should strain, and when it is still hot, you should soak gauze or some other suitable fabric and keep it in the stomach.
Green teas and herbal teas have become a mandatory part of an average adult’s diet. Some people drink this kind of tea as a habit, while others follow this ritual as part of cultural practice. There are still few others who drink it purely for health benefits. Although chamomile tea is not a kind of green tea, it somehow falls under a similar or same category of teas.
What is Chamomile Tea?
Unlike other commonly known teas, chamomile tea does not originate from leaves. Instead, this tea originates from chamomile flowers and is then combined with other ingredients like ginseng, spearmint, cinnamon, or peppermint.
Why Chamomile Tea for Babies is a Good Idea
Chamomile tea has its own separate share of health benefits, for which it is a popular hot beverage. Did you know that chamomile tea is actually beneficial for newborn babies as well? Yes, that is right. Chamomile tea has been found not only to be safe but extremely healthy for infants and newborns. Let’s find out why chamomile tea for babies is preferred.
It is unlikely for someone to hear that newborns should be given some form of tea, but because of its benefits, chamomile is truly helpful. Read ahead to find out how it is possible.
Benefits of Chamomile Tea for Babies
Chamomile works in multiple ways for a newborn.
1. It Soothes a Colic Baby
Babies who are colic and suffer from gases in their stomach inadvertently keep on crying because of this uncomfortable condition. The result is that babies do not sleep on their own for long and remain irritated. Chamomile is known to be an effective remedy against intestinal spasms. A mild and diluted concoction can help soothe the baby right away. As little as a single dosage has proven to be quite effective for most babies, and the change is noticeable.
2. It Helps in Developing a Comfortable Sleep Pattern
Chamomile is said to contain certain relaxing agents that work in a similar manner to the OTC drugs prescribed as a sleeping aid. Colic babies have a hard time sleeping for longer durations and find comfort while curling up in the arms of parents. Chamomile will help in soothing and relaxing the most colic of babies resulting in long hours of relaxed sleep both for the baby and the mother.
3. It Helps in the Teething Process
Did you know that chamomile tea for babies is also prescribed because it helps in the teething process? Teething is another stage in the life of an infant when he becomes extremely irritated and is unable to sleep comfortably. OTC teething jells have been ranked by the FDA as unsafe, therefore, should be avoided for this brief period of the infant’s life. Chamomile tea for babies, on the other hand, is a natural product and is, therefore, completely safe.
Natural herbs and tea leaves hold a lot of benefits within themselves. Chamomile tea is one such example that is both natural and full of wonders, even for babies.
Chamomile is one of the most well-known herbs with medicinal properties. It has been used for centuries for its beneficial effect on human health. Among other things, chamomile can help you to lose weight in an easier, faster, and balanced manner.
Chamomile tea isn’t a magical weight loss beverage, but it can serve as an aid in a healthy diet, a balanced lifestyle, and achieving ideal weight because it’s rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium and vitamin A.
How to Prepare Chamomile Tea
One of the most important things is dosage. Tea must not be too strong because that can induce stomach pain, nausea, and dizziness. For one cup, a teaspoonful of dried chamomile flower is enough. We don’t cook it, we simply pour hot water over it.
You can drink tea hot or cold but never sweetened with sugar. If you want to sweeten it, use honey. Honey is added to hot or mildly hot tea so as to not lose the nutritious value of tea. For extra flavor and burning fat, you can add a little bit of lemon juice as well.
Chamomile Tea Before Every Meal
If you really want to experience the beneficial effects of chamomile tea, drink it before every meal. In addition to making you sated faster, chamomile tea improves digestion.
Chamomile Tea Instead of Juice, Soda, and Energy Drinks
A lot of people won’t be happy to substitute these drinks with chamomile tea, but if you want to lose weight, you have to make some sacrifices. It helps remove toxins from your body and excess water from your tissues. This means cellulite will be less and less visible over time.
Tea Before Sleep
Chamomile tea is good to drink before going to sleep. It will calm you, so you will have a higher quality of rest. Not enough or bad quality of sleep disrupts insulin production and other hormonal processes, which can lead to weight gain.
Tea Against Stress
Stress has a negative effect on your hormonal system. It induces the accumulation of fat deposits, especially those around the stomach. Reducing stress with chamomile tea helps with keeping the balance of hormones up.