

Chamomile tea may boost your immune system. Repeat for 5-10 minutes so the steam reaches your lungs and provides relief from any discomfort. Take a deep breath through your nose and mouth slowly exhale. Once the tea has steeped for a few minutes, place your head over the bowl and a towel over your head to keep the steam in. Kluge says the following process may also help your respiratory health: Use 3-4 chamomile tea bags (or 4 teaspoons of loose chamomile flowers) to make up a large bowl of tea with boiling water.

You also don’t have to ingest chamomile to reap some feel-better rewards. “It’s naturally cooling, which helps to balance an overheated state, and is calming to the digestive tract, which can get out of balance when you’re ill or recovering from being sick.” “Chamomile is a lovely option if you’re feeling under the weather,” Kluge says. It can also help when you’re sick or have a cold. A study published in the Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility found that after drinking chamomile tea twice a day during the luteal and menstrual phases of their cycles (two weeks before you get your period, along with when you actually bleed), 40 women reported experiencing fewer cramps and lower anxiety than a control group. Chamomile tea can make life on your period easier.īecause chamomile tea is antispasmodic, it could also help ease period cramps. Just keep in mind that chamomile may not work the same for everyone, so it’s always best to consult with your doctor before starting any sort of medical treatment plan. Scientists also need to further dig into the risks and benefits, but the Mayo Clinic says limited data has shown short-term use to be generally safe and potentially effective in reducing symptoms. More research is needed to understand why, but a small study published in Phytomedicinefound consuming chamomile extract reduced moderate-to-severe symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Speaking of stress, chamomile may be helpful for those struggling with anxiety or higher-than-usual stress levels. “Chamomile is a perfect herb for gently managing our stress response, so you may not experience the digestive symptoms to begin with.” Along with your anxiety. “So many digestive imbalances are a symptom of stress, including IBS, reflux, or diarrhea,” Kluge says. It also contains bitter compounds called cesquiterpene lactones, which trigger the pancreas to produce digestive enzymes needed to break down food, she explains.Īnd because of its calming effect on the body, chamomile can be particularly useful for stress-related digestive issues, like a nervous stomach (aka irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS). (Chamomile herbs also taste great when mixed with other calming elements, like in Pukka’s Chamomile, Vanilla, and Manuka Honey tea blend.) It can help with digestion.Ĭhamomile can be clutch for problems in the digestive region because “it’s antispasmodic, meaning it helps reduce spasms within the body, including the stomach and intestines,” Kluge says.
#SLEEPYTIME TEA PREGNANCY FREE#
Enjoy it about 1-2 hours before you hit the pillow (to avoid middle-of-the-night bathroom runs) and feel free to add a little milk and honey when you want to shake up the flavor profile. Plus, the aroma itself creates an unwinding effect that’s perfect for troubled sleep, says Billy Dietz, manager of tea research and development at DavidsTea.

The thought is that a flavonoid found in chamomile, apigenin, binds to receptors in the brain that may help someone become sleepy. Another small study published in the Journal of Education and Health Promotion found that elderly patients who took chamomile extract slept significantly better than those who didn't. Science shows it helps, too: a small study published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing found that new moms who drank chamomile tea every day for two weeks slept better (though they weren't able to determine if the effects lasted long-term).
