You probably have many teas in your cabinet that contain chamomile as an ingredient, but you may not exactly know what it is or why it’s awesome. All you know is that it tastes good, right?

Don’t worry! We’re going to clear up everything for you so you can exercise your newfound tea knowledge at your next tea party, even if it’s a virtual one. Chamomile has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for illness, in the form of salves, creams, and incenses, but the most popular use for chamomile is in tea.

What is Chamomile?

Chamomile comes from the Asteraceae family of plants and has small daisy-like flowers. There are 2 types of chamomile plant cultivated for herbal tea: German chamomile and Roman chamomile, which is a little sweeter. It is the flowers and buds of the plant that are harvested and dried to make tea and for use in other chamomile-based products.

What Are the Benefits of Chamomile?

Chamomile – in tea form or otherwise – is a great, caffeine-free alternative to black and green teas and contains high levels of antioxidants, which are important for maintaining blood and brain health, reducing the signs of aging, and many other benefits – here are some of the best:

1 Improved Sleep Quality

Looking for a tea that helps you sleep? Chamomile is a great choice.

Chamomile tea is well known as a tea that helps you sleep because it contains apigenin, which is an antioxidant that connects with the receptors in your brain that help to promote sleep, therefore reducing insomnia. Cool, right? One study found that when people took 270 mg of chamomile extract twice a day for about one month, they had 1/3 fewer awakenings during the night and fell asleep fifteen minutes faster than people who had not taken the chamomile extract.

Sleep quality has a strong link to the severity of stress-related conditions, so drinking chamomile tea before bed is great for your health. It makes for better quality sleep and therefore reduced symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression.

2 | Reduces Inflammation and 3 | Eases Menstrual Pain

Teas with chamomile as an ingredient contain anti-inflammatory compounds, which are important for fighting off infection and inflammation in the body caused by injury or an ongoing condition. These anti-inflammatory properties are also effective in helping reduce pain, and several medical studies have shown that drinking chamomile tea daily can help reduce the pain of menstrual cramps. While no one with severe cramps will be reaching for the chamomile instead of paracetamol, it’s certainly going to help reduce overall pain and help you relax when the cramps are at their worst.

4 | Slowing of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is the progressive loss of bone density that increases the risk of broken bones and a hunched posture. It’s due to the effects of estrogen, so it is most common in post-menopausal women. Chamomile tea has anti-estrogenic effects which can help slow this development and may even promote bone density.

5 | Treats Cold Symptoms

Chamomile has even been seen to relieve some of the symptoms of cold and flu, likely due to its anti-inflammatory properties. This means that drinking a cup of chamomile tea while you’re all stuffed up may help get you breathing more easily again, and it’s a great tea for sore throat symptoms. Our Elderberry Armor tea blend is the perfect option since all its ingredients, including chamomile, work together to speed up your recovery.

What’s the Best Way to Brew Chamomile Tea?

Whether you’re using loose-leaf or bagged tea, for best results, boil water to 200°F and leave it to steep for 3-5 minutes. Once you’ve had it a few times you’ll know whether you like it strong or not, but you should note that chamomile can start to taste a little bitter after 7 minutes of steeping.

With so many health benefits, chamomile tea is a great addition to your tea cupboard, and our Valerian ZZZs Sleep Tea is perfect for that winding-down cup. It contains not only organic chamomile, but valerian root, red rooibos, and other great organic ingredients!

About Tea and I:  Tea and I is a wellness tea brand for tea lovers who want to feel their absolute best. Our tea is fortified with nothing but the finest all-natural herbs and ingredients, as it should be. Whether you want to feel healthier, be more energetic, or boost your immune system, we have a tea to fit your lifestyle. Add a cup of wellness to your daily routine so that you can be—and look like—a healthier, happier you.

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