Benefits of Chamomile Super-Plant
What is Chamomile?
Chamomile is a flowering plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. Chamomile has two species: German Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) and Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), commonly used to make herbal infusions for traditional medicine. Chamomile originates from Europe and western Asia but is now found around the world. The scent of chamomile is often compared to fruity (in particular apple), herbaceous, and sweet tobacco undertones.
Uses of Chamomile
1. Chamomile essential oil can be used in skincare and cosmetics products.
2. Chamomile essential oil is popularly utilized for aromatherapy.
3. Chamomile can be processed into a tea that is consumed.
4. Chamomile can be used in the production of perfume products because of its sweet smell.
5. Chamomile is used in healthcare in manufacturing medicines to cure many ailments in the body.
Traditional uses of Chamomile
Chamomile is one of the most ancient medicinal herbs known to humankind. Chamomile dried flowers contain many flavonoids and terpenoids, which contribute to their medicinal properties. Chamomile is used to treat many illnesses such as insomnia, inflammation, ulcers, rheumatic pain, hay fever, menstrual disorders, wounds, muscle spasms, hemorrhoids, etc.
Surprising facts about Chamomile
Chamomile is a flowering shrub plant that grows to about 8-12 inches in height.
Chamomile produces green feather-like leaves which are arranged alternately on the stem.
Chamomile produces flowers that consist of large pieces of individual flowers known as florets. The outer part of the flower comprises 18 white ray florets, the center of the flower consists of a yellow disk and miniature florets with a tubular shape.
Chamomile is majorly pollinated by flies.
Chamomile blooms from June to July.
Chamomile originates from the Greek word "chamos" and "milos", which mean "ground" and "apple", respectively. Therefore, the name ‘chamomile’ is given because the plant grows very close to the ground and smells like an apple.
Chamomile oils and the chemical compounds used in the medicine and cosmetics industry are extracted from the flower.
Chamomile is used in the treatment of over 100 different ailments in the body.
Chamomile can be used to induce side effects when combined with other medications and consumed.
Homemade chamomile can be used as a lightning agent to lighten blonde air.
Chamomile can be used in the garden to enhance surrounding plants' growth and heal sick plants nearby.
The lifespan of chamomile is dependent on the species it is. Roman Chamomile is an annual plant that spends just a year in the field, while German Chamomile is a perennial plant that spends more than two years in the area.
Health benefits of Chamomile and why myAir bars contain it
1. Chamomile can help to reduce inflammation
Inflammation occurs when the immune system fights against infection in the body. Long-term inflammation is characterized by many health issues such as arthritis, depression, hemorrhoids, autoimmune disorders, and gastrointestinal pain. Chamomile tea contains many chemical compounds that can help to reduce inflammation, thereby preventing ailments in the body.
Chamomile possesses anti-inflammatory properties which enable it to reduce inflammation and fight against ailments in the body.
2. Chamomile can help to reduce blood sugar levels
Consuming chamomile tea can help to reduce high blood sugar levels in the body. Chamomile contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help damage the pancreas cells, which may arise from an abnormal rise in blood sugar levels. The pancreas health is essential because it produces insulin which is responsible for sugar removal in the blood.
A study of 64 diabetic patients shows that daily consumption of chamomile tea with meals after eight weeks can help to lower average blood sugar levels than those who drank only water.
In addition, several animal studies suggest that it can reduce fasting blood sugar levels and prevent blood sugar rise after food consumption. Most of the results are based on findings made on very promising animal studies.
Chamomile possesses anti-inflammatory properties which are capable of enhancing blood sugar control, especially when consumed after a meal.
3. Chamomile can be used to reduce menstrual pain
Several studies have proven taking chamomile tea could help in reducing the severity of menstrual cramps. A 2010 study of some women with menstrual cramps shows that drinking chamomile tea for a month could reduce menstrual cramps pain. These women also reported that they experienced less stress and anxiety that comes with menstrual pain.
Chamomile tea can help to reduce menstrual pain and the stress and anxiety that come with it.
4. Chamomile can help to prevent loss of bone density
Osteoporosis is described as a progressive loss of bone density. The loss increases the risk of stooped posture or broken bones. Anyone could develop osteoporosis, but it is most common in post-menopausal women. This may be a result of the effects of estrogen.
A 2014 study found out that chamomile tea may contain anti-estrogenic effects. Chamomile can also help enhance bone density; however, more research is needed to determine the full potency of chamomile.
Chamomile can help to prevent the loss of bone density.
5. Chamomile can help to enhance sleep quality
Chamomile has some unique properties for which it can help to improve sleep quality. Chamomile is an antioxidant known as apigenin, which binds to some receptors in the brain, thereby reducing insomnia, chronic inability to sleep, and enhancing good sleep.
A study of some postpartum women who consumed chamomile tea for two weeks shows that the women experienced a better sleep quality than groups that did not take chamomile tea. They also reported having fewer symptoms of depression, always associated with sleeping disorders.
Another study of some people who consumed 270 mg of chamomile extract twice daily for 28 days reported that the people had a less nighttime awakening and fell asleep 15 minutes faster than those who did not consume chamomile extract. Hence, you can give chamomile tea a try if you experience sleeping disorders.
Chamomile is embedded with antioxidants, and it has been proven from several studies that it can promote good sleep and improve overall sleep quality.
6. Chamomile can help boost heart health
Chamomile contains a class of antioxidants known as flavones. Flavones have been studied to reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure, important markers of heart disease risk.
A study of 64 diabetic patients found out that those who took chamomile tea with meals experienced a noteworthy improvement in their triglyceride, total cholesterol, and "bad" LDL cholesterol levels compared to those who took water. Chamomile can be included in the diet.
Chamomile is a good source of flavone antioxidants which can help in enhancing heart health.
7. Chamomile can help to enhance digestive health
Digestion is vital for good health. A few studies suggest that chamomile may be effective for better digestion by lowering the risk of some gastrointestinal conditions; chamomile extract can also combat diarrhea in mice which occurs due to chamomile's anti-inflammatory properties.
Another study in rats found that chamomile helped prevent stomach ulcers by reducing acidity levels in the stomach and inhibiting the growth of bacteria that may lead to ulcer development in the stomach. In addition, many anecdotal claims consuming chamomile tea can soothe the stomach. Traditionally, chamomile is used in the treatment of several digestive ailments such as nausea and gas.
Chamomile tea can help combat nausea, stomach ulcers, diarrhea, and gas because of its anti-inflammatory properties.
Conclusion
Chamomile is a flowering plant that possesses some properties that are beneficial to the health of man. Chamomile treats many health issues such as arthritis, depression, hemorrhoids, autoimmune disorders, and gastrointestinal pain. Good news - myAir bars are packed with Chamomile!
Footnote
Chamomile tea for relief of primary dysmenorrhea
March 2010Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility 13(1):39-42
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286965003_Chamomile_tea_for_relief_of_primary_dysmenorrhea
Greek plant extracts exhibit selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM)-like properties
Eva Kassi et al. J Agric Food Chem. 2004
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15537303/
Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with a bright future
Janmejai K Srivastava, Eswar Shankar, and Sanjay Gupta
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/
Effectiveness of chamomile tea on glycemic control and serum lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes
M Rafraf et al. J Endocrinol Invest. 2015 Feb.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25194428/
Chamomile tea: a herbal hypoglycemic alternative for conventional medicine
Saira Saeed Khan et al. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2014 Sep.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25176245
Effectiveness of chamomile tea on glycemic control and serum lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes
M Rafraf et al. J Endocrinol Invest. 2015 Feb.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25194428/
The effect of Greek herbal tea consumption on thyroid cancer: a case-control study
Elena Riza et al. Eur J Public Health. 2015 Dec.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25842380/
Apigenin and cancer chemoprevention: progress, potential, and promise (review)
Deendayal Patel et al. Int J Oncol. 2007 Jan
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17143534/
Herbal medicine for insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Matthew J Leach et al. Sleep Med Rev. 2015 Dec.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25644982/
Effects of an intervention with drinking chamomile tea on sleep quality and depression in sleep disturbed postnatal women: a randomized controlled trial
Shao-Min Chang et al. J Adv Nurs. 2016 Feb
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26483209/
Preliminary examination of the efficacy and safety of a standardized chamomile extract for chronic primary insomnia: A randomized placebo-controlled pilot study
Suzanna M Zick, Benjamin D Wright, [...], and J Todd Arnedt
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3198755/
Antidiarrheal and antioxidant activities of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) decoction extract in rats
Hichem Sebai et al. J Ethnopharmacol. 2014
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24463157/
A systematic review study of therapeutic effects of Matricaria recuitta chamomile (chamomile)
Sepide Miraj and Samira Alesaeidi