Herbal Tea: Chamomile Tea
Chamomile, also spelled camomile, is an herb widely used in herbal teas, both on its own and in blends. It is usually only used in herbal teas, and is rarely blended with the tea plant. Chamomile tea is often described as having a soothing quality.
Chamomile is not a single species, but rather a complex of similar species. Matricaria recutita, native to Europe, is most commonly used in teas, although Matricaria discoidea, also called "Pineapple weed", a species native to North America, can also be used for tea. It is grown in many countries with diverse climates, from Germany to Guatemala and Egypt.
This category is for teas containing exclusively chamomile and no other herbs. For blends containing chamomile together with other herbs, see chamomile blend.
Health Benefits:
Chamomile has long been thought to have a calming and relaxing effect. A study published in 2001 found that drinking chamomile tea was more relaxing than hot water, measured by observing heart rate, skin temperature, and other physiological indicators of relaxation.[1]Recent scientific research points to a number of other health benefits of Chamomile as well. A 2006 review of the scientific literature summarized that chamomile tea has been found to have moderate antioxidant and antimicrobial effects, and there is some evidence that it has potent anti-inflammatory activity, as well as antimutagenic, cholesterol-lowering, antispasmodic, and anti-anxiety activity.[2] A 2008 study suggested that chamomile could be useful for preventing or treating diabetes.[3]
Allergic Reaction:
While not common, there are documented cases of severe allergic reactions to Chamomile. Chamomile is in the aster/daisy family, which also contains common allergens such as ragweed and mugwort; allergies to these plants can cause cross-reactivity and produce a reaction.[4] Those with known allergies or risk of allergies to plants in this family should thus exercise caution with the use of chamomile tea or any products containing chamomile.References:
1. Moriya Kiyoshi et. al. Correlation between the indices of autonomic nervous system and mood after drinking chamomile tea. Japanese Journal of Biofeedback Research, Vol. 28, 2001.
2. Diane L. McKay, Jeffrey B. Blumberg, A Review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of chamomile tea (Matricaria recutita L.), Phytotherapy Research, vol. 20, no. 7, pp. 519 - 530.
3. Atsushi Kato, Yuka Minoshima, Jo Yamamoto, Isao Adachi, Alison A. Watson, Robert J. Nash, Protective Effects of Dietary Chamomile Tea on Diabetic Complications, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Vol. 56, No. 17, pp 8206–8211, Sep. 10, 2008.
4. J.Subiza, J.Subiza, M.Hinojosa, R.Garcia, M.Jerez, R.Valdivieso, E.Subiza, Anaphylactic reaction after the ingestion of chamomile tea: A study of cross-reactivity with other composite pollens, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Vol. 84, No. 3, pp. 353-358, 1989.
Examples of this style of tea: (28 including sub-styles - hide)
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