Chamomile, scientific name Matricaria chamomilla, is a kind of plant of Asteraceae, native to Europe and West Asia. Its flowers are yellow-white, exuding a fresh fragrance, giving people a sense of tranquility and peace.

As a medicinal plant, chamomile has been widely used in ancient Greece and Rome. The ancient Greek doctor Hippocrates once recommended the use of chamomile to treat various diseases, believing that it has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. In ancient Rome, chamomile was also regarded as a sacred herb used in religious ceremonies and medical treatment.

In the Middle Ages, the scope of use of chamomile was further expanded. It was not only used as medicine but also used as food and fragrance. In many European countries, chamomile tea is a traditional folk remedy used to treat various diseases, such as gastroenteritis and irregular menstruation.

With the development of the times, chamomile tea has gradually gone global. In the 19th century, chamomile tea was introduced to North America and Asia and was loved by locals. Today, it has become a popular health tea, deeply favored by consumers worldwide.

• Nutritional value of chamomile tea

The reason why chamomile tea is so popular is not only because of its elegant aroma and soft taste but also because of its rich nutrients and wide range of health benefits.

1. Chamomile tea is rich in vitamins and minerals

Chamomile tea is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, E, calcium, magnesium, iron, etc. These nutrients are very important for maintaining good health.

For example, vitamin A can enhance immunity and protect eye health; vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can remove free radicals and prevent cell damage; vitamin E helps protect the skin and delay aging.

Minerals such as calcium and magnesium play a key role in maintaining bone health and regulating nerve function. The presence of iron can help prevent anemia.

Chamomile tea can provide us with rich nutrients to protect our health.

2. Chamomile tea is rich in plant compounds

In addition to vitamins and minerals, chamomile tea also contains a large number of plant compounds, such as aromatic olefins, flavonoids, saponins, etc. These active ingredients play an important physiological function.

For example, aromatic olefins have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, which can relieve symptoms such as arthritis and gastroenteritis. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants that can remove free radicals and prevent cellular oxidative damage.

Saponins help regulate immune function and enhance the body's ability to resist external invasion. Chamomile tea also contains volatile oils, which give it a unique aroma.

It can be said that the rich plant compounds in chamomile tea are the key to its health benefits. These active ingredients work synergistically to provide all-round care for our physical and mental health.

3. Chamomile tea is low in calories and caffeine-free

Unlike many other teas, chamomile tea has very low calories, which can basically be ignored. This is undoubtedly a big advantage for those who pay attention to diet.

Chamomile tea is also a caffeine-free tea. We know that although caffeine can refresh the mind, long-term and large-scale intake may also cause some adverse reactions, such as anxiety and insomnia.

Chamomile tea does not contain caffeine, so drinking it will not make people feel overly excited or anxious. Instead, it can help relax the body and mind and improve sleep quality. This is undoubtedly a great blessing for those who are sensitive to caffeine.

Chamomile tea is rich in nutrients, low in calories, and caffeine-free, which can provide a good choice for our daily diet.

• Health benefits of chamomile tea

In addition to nutritional value, chamomile tea also has many health benefits, which can help us prevent and relieve various diseases and maintain physical and mental health.

1. Chamomile tea can relieve anxiety and stress

Modern society is fast-paced, with high pressure in work and life, and many people feel anxious and troubled. Chamomile tea can help us relieve these negative emotions.

Chamomile contains aromatic compounds that can directly act on the brain through olfactory stimulation to produce a relaxing effect. At the same time, it can also regulate the balance of neurotransmitters and reduce anxiety and stress.

Many studies have shown that drinking chamomile tea can significantly reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve emotional state. For those who are under great work pressure and have poor sleep quality, it is undoubtedly a good choice.

2. Chamomile tea can improve sleep quality

Good sleep is essential for physical and mental health. However, due to various reasons such as work and life, modern people generally have poor sleep quality, and have problems such as insomnia and shallow sleep.

Chamomile tea can help improve sleep quality. It contains a variety of compounds that help relax, such as aromatic olefins and flavonoids, which can cause the brain to enter a sleep state by regulating the balance of neurotransmitters.

Chamomile tea also has a certain sedative effect, which can relieve anxiety and stress, help us fall asleep faster and get deeper sleep.

Drinking chamomile tea can indeed significantly improve sleep problems such as insomnia and shallow sleep, and improve sleep quality. This is undoubtedly a great blessing for those who suffer from long-term insomnia.

3. Chamomile tea can enhance immune function

Good immune function is the basis for maintaining physical health. Chamomile tea can help us enhance immunity and improve our ability to resist external invasion.

Chamomile tea is rich in antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin C and vitamin E, as well as some immune-regulating substances, such as saponin compounds. These ingredients can directly enhance the activity of immune cells and improve the body's immune function.

Chamomile tea also has certain antibacterial and antiviral effects, which can inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria and viruses, and build a solid defense line for our body.

Long-term drinking of chamomile tea can indeed significantly improve the body's immune function and reduce the risk of infection. This is especially important for those with weak immunity.

4. Chamomile tea can relieve menstrual discomfort

For many women, various discomforts during menstruation, such as dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome, are a big problem. Chamomile tea can help relieve these symptoms.

Chamomile tea contains aromatic olefin compounds, which have certain analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. It can relieve uterine muscle spasms and relieve menstrual pain; at the same time, it can also regulate the balance of female hormones and improve premenstrual syndrome.

Chamomile tea also has a diuretic effect, which can help expel excess water from the body and relieve symptoms such as menstrual edema.

Drinking chamomile tea can indeed significantly improve menstrual discomfort and improve women's quality of life. This is undoubtedly a great blessing for women who have been troubled by menstruation for a long time.

Prevent gastrointestinal diseases Gastrointestinal diseases are common health problems, such as gastritis, gastroenteritis, constipation, etc. Chamomile tea can help prevent and relieve these symptoms.

Chamomile tea is rich in anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as aromatic olefin compounds, which can inhibit the occurrence of gastrointestinal inflammation. At the same time, it also has a certain analgesic effect, which can relieve stomach pain, abdominal pain, and other discomfort.

Chamomile tea also helps to improve intestinal function, promote intestinal peristalsis, and relieve constipation. It can also inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and maintain the balance of intestinal microecology.

Long-term drinking of chamomile tea can indeed significantly prevent and relieve various gastrointestinal diseases and improve digestive function. This is undoubtedly a great blessing for those who have been troubled by the gastrointestinal tract for a long time.

5. Chamomile tea can beautify and nourish the skin

Chamomile tea can not only bring benefits to our physical health but also help us beautify and improve our skin condition.

Chamomile is rich in antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin C and vitamin E, as well as some compounds with anti-inflammatory and repair effects. These ingredients can help remove free radicals, prevent skin aging, and improve skin quality.

Chamomile tea also has a certain calming effect, which can relieve skin inflammation and reduce the occurrence of skin problems such as acne and eczema.

Chamomile tea can also promote the synthesis of collagen, improve skin elasticity, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It can also improve problems such as large pores and dullness, making the skin more delicate and shiny.

Long-term drinking of chamomile tea can indeed significantly improve skin condition, allowing us to have healthier and younger skin. This is undoubtedly a great blessing for women who care about beauty.

Reference:

[1] Srivastava, J. K., Shankar, E., & Gupta, S. (2010). Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with a bright future. Molecular Medicine Reports, 3(6), 895-901. 

[2] Keefe, J. R., Mao, J. J., Soeller, I., Li, Q. S., & Amsterdam, J. D. (2016). Short-term open-label chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) therapy of moderate to severe generalized anxiety disorder. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 68(4), 543-550.

[3] Zick, S. M., Wright, B. D., Sen, A., & Arnedt, J. T. (2010). Examination of the efficacy and safety of a tart cherry juice blend in the treatment of insomnia--a pilot study. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 10, 9. 

[4] Ngan, A., & Conduit, R. (2011). A double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation of the effects of Passiflora incarnata (passionflower) herbal tea on subjective sleep quality. Phytotherapy Research, 25(8), 1153-1159.

[5] Srivastava, J. K., & Gupta, S. (2007). Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of chamomile extract in various human cancer cells. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 55(25), 9470-9478. 

[6] Orav, A., Raal, A., & Arak, E. (2010). The essential oil composition of Matricaria recutita L. from some European countries. Natural Product Research, 24(1), 48-55.