Chamomile Tea is Still Underrated Despite the Health Benefits
Posted Jan 31 2012 12:24pm
It was a reader’s question that reminded me of Chamomile tea again. Chamomile frequents the lips of herbalists and nature lovers but is not very familiar to the layman. At times, it makes me wonder why chamomile is not as popular as lavender.
Chamomile was born in the daisy family. Chamomile is not a single plant but a variety of flowering plants and, the chamomile (German Chamomile) which we use to make herbal infusions are of the family Asteraceae botanically called, Matricaria recutita.
For centuries, chamomile tea is being used for many bodily ailments out of which stress and anxiety are the most common ones. When the much awaited sleep suffers at the hand of stress, chamomile comes to your aid. Drinking a cup of chamomile tea half an hour before bed time ensures restful sleep at night. Here are some more uses of chamomile.
Health Benefits
How to Make Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea can be made with the herb alone or as an infusion with other herbs or just green tea. Add 2-3 tsps dried German Chamomile flowers per cup in to a hot cup of water. Allow the essence to steep in. Enjoy it with honey. You may also add in your favourite herbs like cardamom, cinnamon etc.
Chamomile or Green Tea, Which’s Better?
Both are soothing and are rich in antioxidants. One has caffeine that energizes while the other promotes sleep. If you want a nervine go for chamomile and when you need a shot of antioxidants that help metabolism choose green tea.
Side Effects
It is to be remembered that even nectar in excess is poison. High doses of chamomile can present as skin rashes,vomiting and other allergic reactions.
It was a reader’s question that reminded me of Chamomile tea again. Chamomile frequents the lips of herbalists and nature lovers but is not very familiar to the layman. At times, it makes me wonder why chamomile is not as popular as lavender.
For centuries, chamomile tea is being used for many bodily ailments out of which stress and anxiety are the most common ones. When the much awaited sleep suffers at the hand of stress, chamomile comes to your aid. Drinking a cup of chamomile tea half an hour before bed time ensures restful sleep at night. Here are some more uses of chamomile.
Health Benefits
How to Make Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea can be made with the herb alone or as an infusion with other herbs or just green tea. Add 2-3 tsps dried German Chamomile flowers per cup in to a hot cup of water. Allow the essence to steep in. Enjoy it with honey. You may also add in your favourite herbs like cardamom, cinnamon etc.
Both are soothing and are rich in antioxidants. One has caffeine that energizes while the other promotes sleep. If you want a nervine go for chamomile and when you need a shot of antioxidants that help metabolism choose green tea.
Side Effects
It is to be remembered that even nectar in excess is poison. High doses of chamomile can present as skin rashes,vomiting and other allergic reactions.
-Aparna K.V.