Chamomile has long been one of the favorite plants in Russia. Today it remains a common herbal medicine. Drinking chamomile will help solve many health problems. It can have both a preventive effect and cure a number of diseases.
This plant is used in the form of decoctions, tinctures, and teas. Delicious chamomile tea is a pleasant drink that brings many benefits to the body.
Chemical composition
Chamomile is a herbaceous perennial plant of the Asteraceae family. Chamomile flowers are beautiful basket-shaped inflorescences, which many associate with summer. The fruits of this plant are achenes. For medicinal purposes and for making tea, fully opened flowers are collected in June-July. Chamomile can be regular or pharmaceutical.
Pharmacy chamomile can be confidently called an excellent remedy for treatment, proven by more than one generation. It contains food antioxidants - flavonoids, as well as vitamins A and C, tannins, polysaccharides, essential oil, free organic acids - isovaleric and nonyl, and many other substances.
If we look at some of them in more detail, the set of properties of the flowers of this plant turns out to be very serious:
- Chamomile essential oil should be named first. It has a bluish color and liquid consistency. The main active ingredient is azulene, chamazulene, an anti-inflammatory and antihistamine element, also very active against pathogenic bacteria.
- Flavonoids– apigenin, luteolin, quercetin. Substances with antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory effects.
- Coumarins, which have an antispasmodic effect on the body.
- Phytosterols– lower blood cholesterol.
- Carotene– an antibacterial substance that affects the growth of animals and humans.
- Coumarin– natural anticoagulant.
- Organic acids the composition provides a sedative, anti-inflammatory effect.
- Calcium– ensures the full development of bone tissue.
- Selenium– a fairly rare substance in plants in central Russia, responsible for the protective functions of the body.
- Apiin, apigenin– antispasmodic substances.
This list, which is far from complete, allows you to be convinced that chamomile tea will have numerous beneficial qualities and will become a real healing drink.
Beneficial features
It is not surprising that with such a unique set of useful substances, Chamomile herbal tea has a large number of medicinal properties:
The benefits of these properties are obvious - such a drink can help with pain, reduce bleeding, eliminate allergic swelling, relieve inflammation in organs, wounds or mucous membranes, and help with problems with sleep and fatigue.
This set of qualities helps remarkably in solving stomach problems. For gastritis with high acidity, ulcerative lesions, chamomile tea is taken as a disinfectant, antispasmodic, analgesic, and wound healing agent. A healthy drink dilutes the concentration of gastric juice, and the attack of gastritis subsides.
Chamomile tea calms the nerves well, so it is recommended to drink it before bed for nervous disorders and depression. By thinning the blood, it lowers blood pressure, reduces muscle tone and relaxes the body.
For women, chamomile is a real storehouse of benefits. It is successfully used in the treatment of gynecological diseases, weight loss and cosmetology. For men, this medicinal plant is no less useful. It is believed that it has a positive effect on reproductive functions and potency.
Contraindications
The best is the enemy of the good, everyone knows this. A useful plant can cause harm to the body if used incorrectly. When used for a long period of time without a break, unpleasant side effects can make themselves felt. This may include headache, nausea and vomiting, irritability and weakness. Exceeding the dosage sometimes leads to stomach upsets.
A tendency to allergies is a signal for caution in the use of any drugs, including those of natural origin. The harm from an allergic reaction can be very serious to the body. Although there is no age limit for taking chamomile, you should test for an allergic reaction before using it on your baby. To do this, a small amount (no more than a teaspoon) of cooled chamomile tea is given to the child and the condition of the mucous membranes, skin and respiratory organs is closely monitored throughout the day. If you have a reaction, you should consult a doctor.
Individual intolerance is a contraindication to the use of chamomile in all medicinal types and forms.
Attention should be paid to combined use with sedatives and diuretics. Mixing with them can lead to an overdose, so before joint therapy, consultation with a specialist is required.
Do not use chamomile tea for acute diarrhea - it may worsen the symptoms.
During pregnancy and lactation, chamomile is not prohibited. However, there is an opinion that increased production of estrogen can lead to miscarriage, so it should be taken only after consultation with a doctor.
The combined use of chamomile tea with drugs that improve blood clotting is strictly contraindicated. This drink, on the contrary, thins the blood, so taking medications will be useless.
The contraindications listed above are not so serious, but they must be treated with attention in order to avoid undesirable consequences.
When does it help?
Chamomile tea is not only a tasty drink, but also healthy. It contains all the properties of the medicinal infusion of this plant, and its aroma will be pleasant to everyone. Due to its unique chemical composition, the mechanism of the beneficial effects of chamomile tea on the body is large and diverse. Herbal tea from this plant, when used systematically, can cure and alleviate many diseases.
Since ancient times, chamomile tea, sometimes with various additional herbs, has been used in the treatment of colds. If you have a cold with chills or high temperatures, drinking chamomile will ease the patient’s condition and help get rid of intoxication in the body. Drinking plenty of warm tea will lower body temperature, relieve sore throat, and help the patient relax and fall asleep. Chamomile tea contains hippurate, which is a natural immunostimulant and antiseptic substance. Ginger, honey, lemon, linden blossoms will enhance this effect.
Diseases of the nasopharynx, throat and larynx can also be successfully cured by chamomile tea. Taking it for stomatitis helps reduce pain and inflammation, stop the activity of fungal microorganisms, and promotes wound healing. For laryngitis, pharyngitis, and tonsillitis, drinking this herbal tea relieves sore throat, kills pathogenic bacteria and facilitates the healing process. To treat diseases of the throat and oral cavity, it is recommended to drink this tea in small sips and hold it in the mouth to enhance the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect.
Tea with chamomile and linden inflorescences for bronchopulmonary diseases facilitates the discharge of sputum and softens coughing attacks. Drinking can be combined with inhalation - you can breathe a little over a cup of hot drink during the course of the disease. This procedure will significantly improve the patient's condition. However, it should be remembered that any inhalation should be carried out carefully to avoid burns.
Chamomile has an excellent effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Digestive problems can be treated with this plant due to its healing, antispasmodic and disinfectant effects. In case of poisoning, rotavirus infections, abdominal pain and the consequences of intoxication are well relieved by a drink made from chamomile flowers. It also copes well with enveloping ulcerative lesions of the stomach or intestines. Chamomile tea relieves pain in the abdominal cavity of other origins no less well.
Chamomile tea will also provide relief from alcohol intoxication. The substances in its composition improve the flow of bile, break down and remove toxins, and saturate the brain with necessary substances. Therefore, we can say for sure that such herbal tea successfully treats hangovers and helps to recover faster from alcohol intoxication. Improving the flow of bile also has a good effect on the body with pancreatitis.
Chamomile tea can even replace specific medications for its treatment for a short time. Treatment of poisoning and intestinal dysfunction with phytotherapeutic agents should be carried out in accordance with the patient's condition. The fact is that strong tea will stop diarrhea, while weak tea, on the contrary, will enhance intestinal peristalsis. To treat diarrhea, about two tablespoons of dried inflorescences are infused in a liter of water; when treating constipation, the concentration is halved.
The value of chamomile tea for the nervous system is difficult to overestimate. Systematic intake of this drink can help with any problem in the area of nervous disorders. Drinking tea before bed will help with insomnia and obsessive dreams, especially in combination with aromatherapy with lavender oil.
Multi-component teas containing chamomile calm irritation and relieve migraine headaches. A state of nervous tension and anxiety often plagues middle-aged and older people; daily consumption of tea with chamomile and valerian will be beneficial for them.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a problem for many. A large number of people get up in the morning in a state of fatigue and weakness, they are constantly haunted by the feeling that they are not resting. In this case, chamomile tea is prescribed in the morning, before bed and once during the day. Within two weeks of use, improvement in such conditions is diagnosed in most cases. Glycine in the composition nourishes the brain and calms the nervous system.
The benefits of brewed chamomile for women are very large and varied. This drink improves the condition of women during menstruation. It relieves painful contractions of the uterus, relieves back pain, and has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. The course of premenstrual syndrome becomes easier, irritability and tearfulness go away, pain is alleviated. Thanks to natural phytoestrogens, chamomile tea helps normalize hormonal levels, so it can be recommended for use by women during hormonal disorders and menopause. The use of chamomile internally helps with inflammatory processes in the organs of the female reproductive system, normalizes the condition of the ovaries in case of their dysfunction.
This amazing plant is widely used in cosmetology. Regular consumption of chamomile tea normalizes metabolism, cleanses the body, and relieves the effects of stress and nervous tension. All this has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, helping to get rid of pimples, blackheads, youth acne and the causes of their occurrence. Hair also becomes healthier, hair follicles are strengthened thanks to vitamins and microelements.
The problem of losing weight worries many, mainly women. Everyone wants to be slim and beautiful. Often, dubious medicines and teas are used for this. An excellent alternative to them is chamomile tea. This property is achieved through complex effects. Chamomile cleanses the body of toxins and eliminates digestive problems. Since this plant also has the ability to control blood glucose levels, appetite also returns to normal. In addition, chamomile is a good diuretic, and kilograms will disappear along with excess fluid.
Men can also gain a lot of benefits from a cup of this drink. First of all, it relaxes muscles well, relieves pain in the back and joints, which is very important for those who are exposed to physical activity. Chamomile tea significantly speeds up the process of treating prostatitis by normalizing the activity of the genitourinary system. Doctors have different opinions about the effect on reproductive function, but spermogram readings improve after regular consumption of chamomile tea.
The most important area of application of chamomile is the prevention of cancer. Chamomile is a strong antioxidant. Such substances prevent the development of cancer cells in the body. Coupled with the regulation of hormonal levels and a calming effect, this property allows for preventive therapy with chamomile tea. It helps reduce the risk of cancer of the female and male reproductive systems, liver cancer.
It is important to consume the drink correctly for the desired effect and the absence of side effects. It is recommended to use it three times a day and combine it with the correct regimen, healthy sleep and moderate physical activity.
How to properly prepare and take?
Today, in order to be able to enjoy chamomile tea at any time of the year and cure your ailments, it is not necessary to prepare these inflorescences in the summer. There are various types of this drink in pharmacies. These can be ready-made herbal teas, with or without additives, in dosed sachets or packaged. Dried inflorescences are also sold in bulk, allowing you to prepare a drink based on your needs and taste preferences.
The option of purchasing at a pharmacy is very convenient. However, only by collecting and drying plants yourself can you be one hundred percent sure of its quality. Inflorescences can be collected in an environmentally friendly place during flowering. Usually this is June. Only the opened flowers are picked, without the stem.
Chamomile is dried at home in the same way as any other herb - laid out in a thin layer in a shady room with good air access (attic, outdoor shed). For 5-6 days, it is carefully mixed, preventing the petals from falling off. You can also dry it in the oven at very low temperatures or in a special dryer.
It should be remembered that direct rays of the sun and temperatures above 40 degrees reduce the set of its qualities to zero. It’s easy to determine readiness - the receptacle begins to easily grind into dust. Store dried inflorescences in canvas bags or cardboard bags or boxes. The optimal shelf life is one year.
To prepare chamomile tea, its flowers need to be brewed with boiling water. This is done at the rate of 1-2 teaspoons per 200 ml of water. Tea should not be boiled. You can insist for 5-7 minutes, after which the drink is ready. You can add sugar or honey and take it orally. For a richer taste, you can keep the infusion in a water bath for about 20 minutes.
If you don’t like the taste of chamomile, you can always brew chamomile tea with some additive to diversify the taste and aroma, as well as enrich it with healing substances.
There are several chamomile tea recipes for those who like different flavors:
- Tonic. 2 tablespoons of dried chamomile flowers, a teaspoon of green tea, a couple of mint or lemon balm leaves. Pour boiling water over everything and leave for 20 minutes.
- Vitamin. 2 teaspoons of dried chamomile inflorescences, 4 leaves of fresh mint (or 0.5 teaspoon of dried mint), grated zest of a small lemon, 2 teaspoons of honey. Pour 500 ml of boiling water over chamomile and mint, leave for 5 minutes, then add zest and leave for about 5 minutes. After straining, honey is added.
These are just a few recipes, there can be many options. Additional components can be any berries and fruits, herbal teas (fireweed, oregano, St. John's wort, thyme, sage and others) depending on your wishes. Ivan tea, for example, has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract, sage will help the bronchi and lungs get rid of phlegm, oregano will ease the condition of a cold.
When purchasing ready-made chamomile tea, it is better to give preference to the unpackaged version; its quality is usually higher. You should also avoid packaging that lists the flavorings in the product. Be sure to check the expiration date of your tea. It is better if the date of harvest of the plant is indicated on the packaging.
For children
Many people remember the taste and smell of chamomile tea from an early age. Not surprising, because with a huge number of healing properties, it has no age restrictions for use. Many parents give this drink from a very early age. It should be remembered that for children under one year of age, before using any treatment, you need to consult a pediatrician.
Chamomile tea for children can be prepared using this recipe. One teaspoon of chamomile collection is brewed in 250 ml of boiling water. After 30 minutes of infusion, the drink needs to be strained, and the baby should drink 3-4 teaspoons after meals. The solution should look transparent and have a light yellow color. If it turns out richer, it can be diluted with boiled water.
Many pediatricians recommend chamomile to relieve infant colic. The gastrointestinal tract of babies under three months is not fully formed, so the problem of colic is acute for almost all young parents. Chamomile tea has a good effect on the digestive system and also helps to cope with constipation, diarrhea, and flatulence.
One of the most popular ways to treat colds in children is chamomile drink. In the absence of contraindications and side effects, if the dosage is observed, it remarkably relieves pain and fever, helps eliminate viruses and toxins. These teas are drunk at night.
Chamomile in combination with linden gives a strong expectorant effect. The bactericidal and softening effect of chamomile tea will help with sore throat, cough and runny nose. When used during an acute respiratory disease of a viral or bacterial nature, recovery occurs faster. This tea, combined with proper patient care, will help you avoid taking more serious medications.
For school-age children, chamomile tea is prescribed for overwork, poor performance at school, sleep and behavior disorders.
The dosage of chamomile for children is quite strict. For young children this is up to 50 ml per day, for older children - up to 100 ml. Today, manufacturers offer a wide range of different chamomile teas for children's use: the brands Hipp, Babushkino Lukoshko and others.
For adults
Adults will enjoy not only the healing effect, but also the taste of chamomile tea. It has a pleasant aroma, and different brewing recipes will allow you to choose the drink to suit your taste.
For making tea Pharmaceutical chamomile is suitable. It has a wide range of beneficial properties due to its rich chemical composition. It contains:
- acids: nicotinic, ascorbic, salicylic;
- vitamins: C, carotene;
- trace elements: magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper, iron, manganese;
- flavonoids;
- chamazulene;
- polysaccharides;
- organic acids;
- essential oils.
The presence of such a diverse number of components has a positive effect on the body. Properties that pharmaceutical chamomile has: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, sedative, choleretic, wound healing, diaphoretic, carminative, hemostatic, anticonvulsant.
Making tea
How to brew chamomile tea? To prepare a delicious and fragrant tea, chamomile can be purchased at the pharmacy. It is also sold in supermarkets, where it is already packaged in individual bags for easy brewing. You can also prepare your own raw materials by collecting and drying the inflorescences.
An ordinary chamomile tea is brewed very simply. For this you will need: a teapot, water (500 ml) and the flowers themselves (2 tablespoons). Boil water, pour the tea leaves into the prepared container, and pour boiling water over it. It is recommended to warm up the kettle first. Infusion time is 15 minutes. Add honey or sugar if desired.
If you need to prepare a more saturated drink, then this will already be:
- Infusion - prepared in a water bath. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of inflorescences into an enamel bowl, pour 200 ml of boiling water, cover with a lid. Place the container in hot water and put it on fire. From the moment of boiling, keep in a water bath for 15 minutes, remove and leave for another 50 minutes at room temperature. Strain and bring to the required volume with boiled water.
- The decoction is prepared in the same way as the infusion. Only the holding time in a water bath is 30 minutes, and the infusion time at room temperature is 10 minutes.
Diseases that chamomile treats
To maintain your health, you need to drink a cup of chamomile tea daily. However long-term use can have a negative impact on your well-being, so it is recommended to take a break. After 3-4 weeks of use there should be a pause - approximately 14 days. Then you can start drinking tea again.
The pharmacological properties of the plant are successfully used in the treatment and prevention of diseases. The main condition is to adhere to the treatment regimen, then the effect will be visible.
Treatment of gastrointestinal diseases
For pain and spasms of the stomach and intestines, taking herbal tea helps a lot. The main component of which is chamomile inflorescences. You will need three tablespoons of flowers, 1/2 valerian roots, 1 teaspoon each of fennel and cumin, 1 tablespoon of mint. Mix everything, place in an enamel bowl and pour 200 ml of boiling water. Leave in a water bath for 30 minutes. Strain the remaining part and bring warm water to a volume of 200 ml. Take 1/2 cup 15 minutes before meals, if possible without sugar or honey.
Painful conditions with colitis and enterocolitis are relieved by an enema. For this, mix chamomile, yarrow, and calendula in equal parts and make a decoction. Strain, cool to room temperature and administer enemas.
Those people who have a poor appetite simply need it. The medicinal flower stimulates it very well. It will also help the liver and kidneys, ridding them of harmful substances.
Treatment of colds
Chamomile tea has beneficial effects on the patient’s condition during the period of colds. It's better to drink warm tea. To prepare it, you need to take 1 dessert spoon of tea leaves and pour a glass of boiling water. Leave for 15 minutes, when it becomes warm, add 1 teaspoon of honey. Take this drink 3 times a day until recovery occurs.
I use the infusion of flowers for rinsing. Antibacterial properties will remove the inflammatory process on the mucous membrane of the throat during a cold.
Treatment of neurological diseases
Chamomile tea at night perfectly calms the nervous system. Very good add sprigs of mint or lemon balm, which will help you relax and fall asleep faster. Has anticonvulsant effect. It is considered an excellent addition in the treatment of headaches and vascular spasms. A cup of hot tea can be recommended when a headache begins to reduce it.
Diabetes treatment
Chamomile tea for treating diabetes patients second type has a positive effect. Regular appointment helps reduce blood glucose, reduce the negative effects of the disease on the kidneys and eyes. Those at risk are advised to take it as a prophylactic.
Treatment of cardiovascular diseases
The pharmacological properties of the plant allow improve blood circulation. Thanks to compounds that thin the blood, the work of the cardiovascular system is facilitated and the consequences of complications from diseases are reduced. Chamomile tea can relieve from the development of diseases of the cardiac and vascular systems.
Chamomile for children
Is it possible to drink? This question often arises among young mothers. You can start giving tea children from 6 months, but only after consulting a pediatrician who is observing the child. After all, every baby is individual.
Application in dentistry
Inflammation of the oral mucosa is perfectly relieved by chamomile decoction, thanks to its antibacterial, soothing and wound-healing effects. It is used in complex treatment stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontal disease, caries. Prescribed as rinses and lotions.
Possible harm and contraindications
In addition to its benefits, chamomile tea can cause harm. A strong cup of decoction can provoke an attack of nausea and sometimes vomiting. Therefore, you need to start with a weak tea. The plant may interact with medications. To avoid side effects, it is recommended to carefully read the instructions or consult a doctor.
Chamomile flowers are a natural remedy that, when used correctly, promotes health in various ways. You can drink tea from it both to treat diseases and to prevent them. This remedy acts gently and gradually, but it is practically devoid of side effects characteristic of most medications. You can prepare the drink in different ways. By adding additional components to it, you can expand the range of action.
Benefits of chamomile tea
Main medicinal properties
Chamomile flower tea is familiar to a wide range of people for its properties such as a beneficial effect on the nervous system and antiseptic effect. With its help, you can quickly cure a cold, especially in the earliest stages. If you have stomach diseases, ulcers or gastritis, then drinking a small amount of chamomile tea daily will help you significantly improve your situation. It happens that digestive disorders occur due to nervousness. In this case, it is better to prepare chamomile tea with the addition of lemon balm.
This natural drink is also suitable for people who often experience stress and suffer from insomnia. In this case, you need to drink it before bed.
Tea made from chamomile flowers will help eliminate inflammation of various kinds, and at the same time it can be used externally and topically for rinsing, douching and compresses.
Chamomile for women's health
Very often, women are prescribed chamomile washes when any inflammatory diseases occur. Taking tea internally will help alleviate the condition during menstruation - it relieves cramps and soothes pain. And its regular use helps eliminate menstrual irregularities.
Beauty benefits
If you start drinking chamomile tea periodically, you will soon notice an improvement in your skin condition. It will become smoother and the tone will even out. At the same time, your hair will be filled with vitality and hair loss will be reduced.
Chamomile tea during pregnancy
The properties of chamomile tea can also be useful during pregnancy, but you should act with extreme caution here. In particular, local effects on the genitals must be completely excluded, and only a very weak infusion should be used for oral administration. Moreover, you should resort to this only in case of emergency and only on the recommendation of a doctor. The fact is that chamomile can cause uterine contractions, which can lead to miscarriage.
Chamomile tea for children
Children of any age can be given chamomile tea to treat colds or relieve abdominal pain, eliminate dysbiosis and normalize digestion. But the concentration and dosage must be reduced.
can be cooked in different ways; this drink does not require significant expenses, helps improve health and is endowed with unique flavor and aromatic qualitiesMethods for making chamomile tea
Classic chamomile tea
Chamomile flowers can be used on their own without any additions. In this case, you need to take 1 tablespoon of dried raw materials or 2 sachets per glass of boiling water. After 15 minutes of infusion under the lid, the drink is ready.
Evening soothing infusion
If you plan to use chamomile to eliminate insomnia and calm your nerves, you can add a little lemon balm or a teaspoon of honey to your tea. You can take both. This way you can improve the taste of the drink and enrich it with additional beneficial properties.
Not only chamomile, but also other herbs and plants have calming properties. You will find recipes for popular teas that can be consumed even by children in the article.
Chamomile tea with mint
This drink is very easy to prepare. Just add a teaspoon of dried peppermint to the classic recipe. This remedy will be good both for relieving nervous tension and for normalizing the functioning of the liver and gall bladder. In addition, it turns out to be a tasty and healthy drink.
Chamomile tea with cream
In some countries, it is customary to make original tea from chamomile flowers, adding honey and cream to taste. It is best to drink it in the evening before going to bed and not go outside after that. This drink relaxes, helps to warm up after hypothermia and strengthens the immune system.
Whatever chamomile flower tea you choose, it will be beneficial for your health. You can drink it at any time of the day, but you must always maintain a sense of proportion. If you buy chamomile at a pharmacy, you will find instructions on the dosage and duration of the course on the package. As a rule, it is recommended to drink the infusion 2 - 3 times a day for 2 weeks, and then take a break. If you decide to collect chamomile yourself, it is important to consider that it is best to choose environmentally friendly areas away from highways. The best collection time is a sunny day. It is important to choose only dry flowers with a flat core.
If you start drinking chamomile tea periodically, you will gradually notice that your emotional state has improved, and your sleep has become more sound and restful. In addition, digestive function will improve, and viral diseases will bypass you. It is only important to use high-quality raw materials. If you buy chamomile at the pharmacy, try to choose loose chamomile rather than in bags. Also pay attention to the fact that there is a mark on the date of collection and storage period.
Chamomile is the most popular phytocomponent of any home medicine cabinet. With its help you can solve a large number of health problems. This is not only a preventive remedy, but also a therapeutic one. At home, decoctions, infusions and tinctures are prepared from chamomile, using them for lotions, compresses, gargling and bathing, and steam baths. It is often taken orally in the form of aromatic tea, which provides taste pleasure and benefits the body.
- Apigenin. A substance that can suppress allergies, inflammation of various natures, fight free radicals, and inhibit some types of cancer cells. Of all the herbs used to make teas, chamomile contains the highest amount of apigenin.
- Chrysin, which has strong sedative properties. This substance can reduce anxiety, causeless fear, unconditional panic attacks, hysterical state, and relieve nightmares.
- Coumarin. The substance that gives chamomile its characteristic aroma. Known as an antiallergic agent that relieves swelling, especially associated with impaired lymph circulation, postoperative.
- Ascorbic acid. The most important substance for the normal functioning of connective and bone tissues. Promotes the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids, which stimulates digestion and prevents the formation of gallstones. Is a powerful antioxidant.
- Tannins, which give the plant a bitter taste, help improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, normalize the microflora in the intestines, and get rid of microbes and rotting products. Effective for preventing deposits of heavy metal salts, which cause significant harm to the entire body.
- Pectin. Doctors call it the “orderly worker” of the human body due to its ability to cleanse it of harmful substances without disturbing the natural microflora. Removes radioactive elements, toxic substances and pesticides from the body.
- Carotene. Actively participates in metabolic processes, is important for the formation of bones, nails, teeth, fat deposits, stimulates the growth of new cells, slows down aging, fights viruses and bacteria.
- Essential oils with antimicrobial, antispasmodic and regenerating properties. Vitamins, macro- and microelements: potassium, calcium, zinc, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese.
Unlike black and green tea, chamomile tea does not contain caffeine at all.
Monks from Tibet appreciated all the benefits and harms of chamomile tea, its ability to restore cells and stimulate their regeneration. Therefore, this plant is an essential ingredient in the famous Tibetan elixir of youth.
Video: Chamomile tea. Healing drink
What diseases is chamomile tea good for?
For frequent colds, chamomile tea should be taken not only as a means of accelerating recovery due to its vitamin C content, but also for preventive purposes in order to avoid colds and other diseases. Tea has diaphoretic, antipyretic properties, soothes sore throats, and helps remove phlegm.
During the period of autumn-winter depression, 4-5 mugs of aromatic tea per week will significantly improve your mood and performance, and relieve depression. To improve the effect, you can add a teaspoon of honey or a couple of lemon slices to the drink.
The antispasmodic effects of apigenin will help relieve pain and colic in the intestines and get rid of flatulence. Chamomile tea is useful for gastritis, enterocolitis, peptic ulcers, it will help normalize and restore stool, improve appetite and digestion.
Chamomile tea is irreplaceable after heavy feasts and long holidays, accompanied by overeating, excessively fatty foods, and alcohol. For headaches caused by sudden changes in weather or changes in blood pressure, a glass of chamomile tea will quickly relieve muscle spasms, which will alleviate the condition.
Thanks to the vitamin PP contained in the herb, chamomile tea is also beneficial for people suffering from vascular spasms, rapid leg fatigue, and a tendency to varicose veins. Tea will help with muscle spasms caused by stomach pain or during menstrual periods. For heavy and very painful menstruation, it is recommended to take tea daily a few days before it starts.
As a sedative, chamomile tea should be taken 2-3 cups per day. It helps you relax, fall asleep faster, relieves depression, and speeds up adaptation after stress.
For diabetes mellitus, regular consumption of chamomile drink significantly reduces blood sugar levels, keeps it in one position, which improves the patient’s condition.
Daily consumption of chamomile tea also affects your appearance. The skin becomes healthier, acne and purulent formations disappear. Later and in smaller quantities, age-related pigmentation appears on it. To improve your appearance, just drink a glass of warm tea in the morning on an empty stomach and wash your face with it.
To strengthen the immune system after a long illness or during a seasonal exacerbation of colds, a cup of tea a day for two weeks is enough. The plant phenols contained in chamomile will make the body resistant to any virus and bacteria of any nature.
How to brew chamomile tea
Pour a teaspoon of chamomile or a bag of herbs into a glass of hot water, but not boiling water. After boiling, the water should stand for 10 minutes to cool to 90-95 degrees, most suitable for brewing any tea. Infuse under the lid, like regular tea, for 5-10 minutes. Strain thoroughly through a strainer or gauze folded in several layers. Take warm, adding a teaspoon of honey or sugar to taste.
The specific taste of chamomile can be varied with a couple of mint leaves, grated with the zest of 1/4 lemon. Adding any component according to your desire and taste will not affect the medicinal properties of the herb in any way.
Preparing chamomile tea is so simple and does not require much time that it is better to avoid brewing it for future use. After standing for a while, the drink becomes richer and more bitter. This option is only suitable for external use of the herb.
It is better to take the drink after a meal, but not earlier than an hour later. At this time, it normalizes the digestion process and prevents gas formation in the intestines.
How to use chamomile tea leaves
Chamomile brewed in tea still contains a large amount of beneficial substances. It can be used for lotions and compresses, or simply chewed. In the form of a compress, the herb will relieve fatigue, gray skin, swelling and black circles under the eyes, skin inflammation, and accelerate the healing of wounds and abrasions.
While chewing, it perfectly disinfects the oral cavity, freshens breath, and soothes pain from inflammation of the lips and mucous membranes. The herb can be brewed a second time to be used for baths, washing, hair washing and douching.
Chamomile tea for children
For infants up to four months, chamomile infusion is added to water and given to drink in small portions to relieve colic. Children under one year old are given 1-2 teaspoons of warm tea for a sore throat, to normalize digestion, before bed, if the baby is restless.
After a year, a child can drink chamomile tea as usual, but in small quantities (no more than one child’s cup).
Contraindications
Chamomile is one of the most universal herbs, the use of which has no side effects and is suitable even for small children. However, it is not for nothing that it is called medicinal. This means that you should treat it accordingly. Otherwise, a harmless glass of herbal drink can harm the body or lead to exacerbation of chronic diseases.
A chamomile drink is not recommended for people with individual intolerance to this herb. An excessive concentration of chamomile in tea will do more harm than good. This drink can cause headaches, low blood pressure, upset stools, and weakened muscle tone. Constantly drinking too strong tea will harm your emotional state, leading to a prolonged depressed or irritable mood, and loss of attention.
It is advisable to avoid chamomile tea when taking medications with a sedative and diuretic effect. Chamomile has similar properties, and such a mixture will cause an overdose with the corresponding consequences.
You should not drink chamomile tea if you have diarrhea. Take it with caution if you have low blood pressure.
Pregnant women should avoid chamomile tea completely or take it in a weaker concentration, no more than one glass per day. The plant stimulates the formation of estrogen, which can cause miscarriage.
Is it really? What are the benefits and harms of chamomile tea? Let's take a closer look at this issue.
Indeed, chamomile decoction has healing properties and that is why you can drink it from the first days of life. Chamomile tea is a real salvation for young mothers, because babies cannot take medications, and chamomile can neutralize inflammatory processes of various types and strengthen the natural immunity of the baby’s body. And, nevertheless, nowadays, more and more often, people have a question about what are the real properties of chamomile tea and is it as useful as our grandmothers told us?
Benefits and harms
Of course, chamomile decoction has a certain positive effect on the human body. First of all, it is necessary to mention that it has antiseptic properties, and this benefit of chamomile tea is invaluable, that is, regular use of a decoction from this plant helps stop the growth of pathogenic bacteria. In addition, it can also be used externally.
Note: healing baths are very useful, which must be taken twice a week in order for the skin to become even and smooth, without signs of inflammation.
It is very effective to use ice cubes from this tea, which you need to wipe your face with every morning in order to restore the skin to a fresh and blooming appearance. Regular rubbing with such cubes in just a few weeks will relieve inflammation on the skin and also prevent the appearance of acne.
What are the benefits of chamomile tea, besides its anti-inflammatory effect on the body? Chamomile helps normalize blood sugar, and also reduces nervous tension in the body. If you drink the drink regularly, you will soon feel that your health is improving, nervous tension subsides, and your health becomes not just good, but excellent.
Cooking method
Making chamomile tea is quite simple, but there are some things to consider:
- it can only be brewed from chamomile flowers;
- if you collect chamomile yourself, then do not forget that this can only be done in ecologically clean areas;
- if you buy it at a pharmacy, it is advisable to do it in bulk form, and not in filter bags.
The preparation process itself is very simple: take two tablespoons of dried and crushed chamomile flowers and pour a glass of boiling water, soak in a steam bath for 20 minutes, after which, after letting the broth brew for 45 minutes, strain the tea thoroughly and cool. That’s it, the tea is ready and can be consumed, and there are no contraindications to the use of chamomile tea.
How often can you drink chamomile tea?
Chamomile tea is an incredibly healthy drink that is recommended even for young children and pregnant women. It helps fight many diseases and disorders, from stomach pain to insomnia. Due to its many beneficial properties, doctors have recommended drinking chamomile to adults and children since ancient times.
Let's start by looking at the topic: how much chamomile tea can you drink per day and what recipes are most effective? The traditional recipe is simple:
- take a spoonful of chamomile flowers;
- pour boiling water (about ml);
- leave for 10 minutes.
The resulting drink is consumed warm with the addition of honey for taste. Additional herbs will not be superfluous:
If you are going to drink chamomile tea to treat a specific disease, do it in courses with breaks. We recommend drinking half a glass half an hour before meals.
Adults often drink chamomile tea for colds and fever, adding honey and lemon to it. It is also recommended to drink chamomile decoction before bed in case of insomnia or headaches. Additionally, you should add mint or lemon balm to the drink, which enhance the calming effect and help you fall asleep faster.
How much chamomile tea can you drink daily? This topic interests many adults. There are people who consume the drink constantly - every day and several times. It is safe if you drink tea without adding medicinal herbs. You can safely drink 1-2 cups per day.
Is it possible to drink chamomile tea during pregnancy? If your gynecologist has not detected any alarming symptoms - uterine tone, discharge, abdominal pain - chamomile tea in small quantities will even be useful. But its amount varies depending on the trimester, so be sure to consult your doctor.
Chamomile for children: in what cases is it allowed?
Parents often ask pediatricians whether their child can drink chamomile as tea? In this case, it all depends on age. The youngest babies up to 4 months are given chamomile tea as an antispasmodic against colic. It is recommended to do this in the evening, 2-3 teaspoons.
For babies over four months old, it is recommended to give chamomile tea or infusion for abdominal pain after introducing new foods into complementary foods, during teething, or for better sleep. If a child’s throat is red, give chamomile tea a couple of spoons after meals.
Brew chamomile in dried form or buy special powdered tea in bags (it often contains additional herbs and sweeteners). For children under one year old, do not make chamomile tea the main drink, giving it only for a sore throat or digestive problems. Your pediatrician will tell you how many days you can drink chamomile in these situations.
As for children over one year old, they are allowed chamomile tea bags, combination drinks, infusions and decoctions. They are supplemented with honey or sweetened with sugar. Children over one year of age are allowed to be given up to 100 ml of chamomile drink per day, and in later years this dose can be increased to a cup.
Can chamomile tea be harmful?
We have figured out how much chamomile tea per day for adults and children, but to complete the picture, contraindications and precautions should be considered. People allergic to chamomile should use caution. To identify an allergic reaction to chamomile drink and prevent harm, you should drink half a cup and wait a little. If a rash or itching appears, you will have to discard this tea.
It is important not to overuse or drink chamomile too often, otherwise unpleasant symptoms may develop:
- headaches;
- decreased muscle tone;
- nausea leading to vomiting;
- CNS disorders.
Chamomile tea - benefits and recipes
Chamomile tea: benefits and medicinal properties, popular recipes and contraindications for use.
Chamomile as a medicinal plant has been known to mankind since ancient times. The healing properties of this simple flower were discovered more than two thousand years ago: people noticed that chamomile tea calms the nerves and helps get rid of insomnia. Today the plant is widely used in folk medicine, pharmacology, and cosmetology.
Composition and medicinal properties of chamomile
Benefits of chamomile tea
Benefits for the nervous system
The fragrant drink contains the antispasmodic apigenin, which has a positive effect on a person’s psycho-emotional state. Irritability, insomnia, depression, overwork, nervous exhaustion, stress - all these problems will help overcome healing chamomile drinks.
Chamomile tea stimulates the secretion of bile, treats ulcers, gastritis and liver diseases, helps with intestinal microflora disorders and cholelithiasis. This healing drink is also useful for people who take medications based on acetylsalicylic acid, as it can protect the gastric mucosa from its destructive effects.
Chamomile tea for diabetes
Chamomile tea has been proven to be beneficial for people suffering from type 2 diabetes: the plant contains substances that lower blood sugar levels. This miraculous property of chamomile allows it to be used as an additional remedy in the fight against a serious illness: chamomile, in addition to its therapeutic effect, also helps prevent complications that diabetes mellitus can cause.
Properties of chamomile for colds
For influenza, sore throat, bronchitis and other respiratory diseases, chamomile tea is useful due to its diaphoretic, expectorant, antimicrobial and analgesic properties. The healing decoction is drunk as tea, used to gargle, and made into baths and inhalations.
Skin Health Benefits
It is believed that chamomile tea, if drunk every day, can give a fresh and healthy appearance to the skin. You can also freeze the healing decoction. Ice cubes made from chamomile tea have an antiseptic effect, refresh and rejuvenate the skin, and eliminate irritation. Chamomile is especially useful for baby’s delicate skin; its extract is added to baby creams, shampoos and toothpaste. Chamomile decoction will give health to hair: both blondes and brown-haired women can use it to rinse their curls after washing.
Chamomile tea for weight loss
With daily consumption of chamomile tea, you can lose up to 4 kg in a month, the main thing is not to ignore physical activity and proper nutrition. The following properties of the plant provide weight loss. Firstly, chamomile controls appetite, has a positive effect on digestion and promotes better absorption of nutrients. Secondly, the healing plant has a calming effect, which is especially important for people who are accustomed to “eating” stress. And thirdly, chamomile provides a diuretic effect, which means it helps the body get rid of excess fluid.
Chamomile tea for children
Chamomile tea is also useful for children: it is indispensable when the baby is teething, has a tummy ache or has a cold. Chamomile tea relieves pain, improves digestion, helps the baby calm down, and normalizes sleep. But small children can only be given a very weak decoction.
Benefits for women's health
The substance bisabolol, which is contained in chamomile drinks, has a positive effect on women's health. Chamomile tea improves the functioning of the endocrine system, soothes pain during women's days, helps in the treatment of gynecological diseases, in particular, it is recommended to drink it for inflammation of the appendages. For diseases of the genitourinary system, chamomile tea is used not only internally, but also externally - in the form of compresses, baths and douches.
Chamomile tea for pregnant women
Expectant mothers should also try chamomile tea. Even in such a crucial period as bearing a child, this sunny flower is desirable and useful. Chamomile-based drinks will help the expectant mother cope with an impending cold, because herbal treatment is a safe alternative to drug therapy. Headaches, apathy, depression, stomach cramps, toxicosis - all these problems can be alleviated and even eliminated by ordinary chamomile.
Precautions for Pregnant Women
Chamomile tea can be used externally (in the form of baths, compresses, inhalations) during pregnancy without fear, unless, of course, you are allergic to the plant. As for oral use, expectant mothers can drink no more than 2 glasses of weak infusion per day. Abuse of medicinal tea can provoke premature birth. Chamomile-based drinks promote the production of estrogen by the ovaries, which tones the uterus, which may result in a risk of miscarriage.
Chamomile, although it has anti-allergic properties, can itself cause allergies. Before drinking medicinal tea, make sure that you are not allergic to the plant. If you decide to be treated with chamomile infusions, you should not be overzealous. In case of an overdose, nausea, dizziness, weakness, headache, and rapid heartbeat may occur. Without first consulting a doctor, it is not recommended to combine chamomile drinks with artificial sedatives, diuretics and blood thinners (including aspirin).
Chamomile tea recipes
Recipe 1. Classic chamomile tea
2 full teaspoons of chamomile flower baskets - dried and crushed, pour a glass (200 ml) of hot boiled water, cover with a saucer and leave for a minute, filter, squeeze out the flowers and drink warm. This infusion can be consumed on its own or added to green or herbal tea.
Recipe 2. Chamomile tea with peppermint
Take crushed mint and chamomile in equal proportions - 1 teaspoon each, pour a glass of hot boiled water, let it brew and filter. This tea is very soothing, helps alleviate gallbladder diseases and prevent the appearance of gallstones. If you are preparing a calming drink, you can add cumin in addition to mint and chamomile.
Recipe 3. Chamomile tea with lemon balm
If you take the previous recipe, but replace the mint with lemon balm, you will get a wonderful medicine not only for the nervous system, but also for the stomach. This drink also helps with colds: take it warm, 1 glass 2-3 times a day. To recover faster, supplement the aromatic drink with natural honey, but it is better not to add it to tea, but to eat it as a snack.
Recipe 4. Chamomile tea with herbs
Medicinal plants - peppermint, sweet clover, St. John's wort and chamomile are taken in equal proportions - one coffee spoon each, pour the mixture into a glass of hot boiled water, cover with a saucer, and filter after half an hour. This herbal tea has a cleansing, rejuvenating and appetite-reducing effect.
How to choose flowers for tea
To benefit from chamomile tea, prepare it from natural dry raw materials purchased at the pharmacy. Give preference to natural powder; it is better to avoid crushed flowers in bags. You can prepare healing baskets with your own hands, the main thing is not to confuse chamomile with other varieties of the plant (there are about 50 of them in total). When collecting inflorescences yourself, pay attention to the petals: in chamomile, they always look down, and the yellow part of the flower has a conical shape.
The value of chamomile as a medicinal plant is very high. We turn to this sunny flower with many of our problems, and it can really help us say goodbye to them. Stock up on fragrant sun baskets, prepare a healing drink that will fill your home with the aroma of a blooming summer meadow, and give its inhabitants warmth and comfort. Drink chamomile tea and always be healthy!
Alesya Musiyuk for the site “f-Journal.Ru”
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Beneficial properties of chamomile tea for humans
The beneficial properties of chamomile were first described in the 17th century, but the plant was used for medicinal purposes long before that time. Previously, chamomile was used mainly to treat female diseases (fibroids, mastopathy), so another name for the flower is “uterine herb.” You can use chamomile in the form of infusions, decoctions, and external compresses, but the most accessible and convenient method of therapy is drinking chamomile tea.
Benefit
Dried flowers of the plant are used to make chamomile tea. You can collect them yourself or buy ready-made mixtures at the pharmacy. Experts advise giving preference to pharmaceutical chamomile, since all raw materials sold in pharmacy chains undergo several degrees of purification and are carefully checked for the presence of nitrates and other hazardous substances.
Chamomile is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent, so the drink is most often used as an aid in the treatment of colds. Chamomile decoction helps reduce the severity of the inflammatory process, soothe irritated mucous membranes of the larynx and relieve pain.
The product can be taken orally, replacing morning and evening tea with a drink, or used for local treatment as a solution for gargling. Chamomile flowers have a pronounced antiseptic and bactericidal effect, so drinking warm tea from this plant is indicated for the following infections:
- angina;
- influenza and respiratory diseases (ARVI and acute respiratory infections), accompanied by cough and sore throat;
- tonsillitis;
- laryngitis;
- pharyngitis;
- tracheitis.
Drinking the drink during inflammatory processes of the lower respiratory tract (bronchitis, pneumonia) helps relieve a painful cough, moisturize the mucous membranes of the larynx and esophagus and facilitate the discharge of sputum. To achieve a pronounced therapeutic effect, it is recommended to drink chamomile tea 3-4 times a day. You need to gargle more often - 5-6 times.
A large amount of vitamins in chamomile flowers has a positive effect on the state of the immune system during illness, alleviates the severity of symptoms and speeds up recovery.
Chamomile tea has a moderate diaphoretic effect and allows you to quickly remove toxins and bacterial waste products through the skin. Thanks to this, the patient’s headache goes away, the temperature drops and other signs of intoxication disappear.
For stress and insomnia
For people suffering from neuroses, depression, or constantly in a state of emotional agitation, doctors recommend taking a decoction or infusion of chamomile internally. This is an excellent remedy for combating stress, as the active components of chamomile have a gentle effect on the nervous system and have a slight calming effect.
Drinking chamomile infusion before bed will help cope with insomnia, improve sleep quality and avoid nighttime wake-ups associated with anxiety. If you add a little honey, milk or a few branches of lemon balm to chamomile tea, you will get an excellent natural medicine for restoring your psycho-emotional state.
For pain
Chamomile is considered one of the most effective plants to help fight various types of pain. An extract from chamomile flowers eliminates spasms and helps muscles relax, so drinks based on this plant are recommended for colitis, muscle pain and other painful conditions caused by muscle spasms.
It is especially worth mentioning the benefits of the product for women with painful menstruation. Chamomile will help not only relieve pain, but also cope with emotional outbursts characteristic of this period, so an infusion or decoction of the plant must be included in the menu before the end of menstruation.
For gastrointestinal diseases
- elimination of bloating and flatulence;
- neutralization of excess hydrochloric acid;
- normalization of intestinal function.
After entering the intestines, chamomile disinfects its walls and organ cavity, destroys pathogenic flora, reduces slagging, removes toxins and prevents decay processes. Preventive intake of chamomile-based drinks helps improve the functioning of the large and small intestines, strengthen the immune system and improve the health of the body.
The use of chamomile tea is also recommended for liver diseases, as the product gently cleanses the organ and has a slight hepatoprotective effect, protecting liver cells from the effects of adverse factors.
Harm and contraindications
Despite the large number of beneficial properties, chamomile tea can bring not only benefits to the body, but also harm. Most often, negative reactions when consuming the product are caused by improper use or non-compliance with recommendations for preparation and administration.
When brewing tea, it is necessary to strictly observe the proportions, since a drink that is too strong can have the opposite effect to the desired effect and cause headaches, apathy, and muscle weakness. We should not forget about the pronounced sedative effect of chamomile, so the plant is not recommended for use by patients with mental disorders and severe forms of depressive disorders.
A concentrated infusion of chamomile can significantly lower blood pressure, so before taking it it is important to make sure that the patient does not suffer from hypotension.
If a person (or his blood relatives) has previously had chamomile intolerance reactions, drinks from this plant should be consumed very carefully, starting with 1-2 teaspoons. If there are no complications, you can continue taking it, gradually increasing the amount of drink you drink.
Is it possible for pregnant and lactating women
In some cases, chamomile can cause allergic reactions - for this reason, doctors previously recommended that pregnant women avoid drinking chamomile drinks. Now experts do not object to the inclusion of chamomile decoctions in the diet of the expectant mother, especially since they can help cope with some pregnancy problems.
- Chamomile has a moderate diuretic effect, so it can be used to prevent edema and gestosis.
- To eliminate heaviness and fatigue in the legs, which appears already in the second trimester due to a shift in the center of gravity and increased stress on the joints, a woman can use foot baths with chamomile infusion.
- In the third trimester, chamomile tea with linden and honey will help cope with the growing anxiety before the upcoming birth without the use of sedatives.
Breastfeeding women can also include chamomile decoction in their diet, especially since it helps increase lactation, but provided that the woman and baby are not allergic. If your baby develops allergy symptoms (rash, watery eyes, redness of the eyes and skin), you will have to stop drinking tea.
Compound
Chamomile tea has almost zero calorie content - only 1 kcal per 100 ml of finished product. At the same time, the drink has a rich vitamin and mineral composition.
Vitamins (per 100 ml):
Chamomile tea also contains essential oils, tannins, amino acids, polysaccharides, mucus and gum.
How to cook?
Tea. To prepare tea, you can use loose raw materials or buy ready-made filter bags for one-time brewing. The second preparation method is preferable, since dosed sachets eliminate the possibility of preparing a drink that is too strong and concentrated. In this case, you need to pour one sachet with a glass of boiling water and leave for 3-4 minutes.
If tea is prepared from loose raw materials, the actions will be similar, but you need to take into account that only chamomile inflorescences (dried or fresh) are suitable for a medicinal drink. To prepare tea you will need 1 teaspoon of chamomile.
You can drink tea cold or hot. If desired, you can add lemon, honey, lemon balm, linden and other ingredients to it that will help diversify the taste sensations. You can drink tea an hour after meals.
Decoction. To prepare the decoction, you need to take 4 tablespoons of chamomile and pour 400 ml of boiling water. Place on the stove and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes. Let the mixture sit for 3-4 hours, then strain through cheesecloth or a sieve.
Infusion. The proportions are the same as for preparing the decoction. The difference is that the mixture does not need to be boiled. It is enough to mix chamomile with water in a thermos and leave for 4 hours. It is best to drink the infusion strained.
Storage
Dry chamomile can be stored for 2 years if storage conditions are met. It is best to place dried raw materials in a bag made of natural dense fabric and put them in a dark place (avoid high humidity).
Ready tea can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 20 hours. After this period, the drink loses half of its medicinal properties. Tea can be left out of the refrigerator for 2 hours.
How to choose?
If chamomile is purchased at a pharmacy, you only need to check the expiration date and the integrity of the original packaging. When purchasing fresh flowers, you should carefully inspect the petals and stem to ensure there are no signs of pest damage, dust or chemicals. If there are black dots and specks on the stem, it is better to refuse the purchase.
What does it go with?
Chamomile tea can be drunk instead of regular tea. An excellent addition to this drink would be jam, jam or natural honey. Fresh chamomile leaves can be added when brewing to black tea or other varieties. Combination with other medicinal herbs (calendula, thyme, St. John's wort) will help enhance the taste of the drink, but before drinking such tea you will need to consult a specialist.
Chamomile infusion can be beneficial or harmful - it all depends on the correct use and compliance with the recommendations of specialists. In most cases, chamomile drinks are well tolerated, but cases of individual intolerance may rarely occur, so they should be consumed carefully, observing the measure (4 cups per day).
Benefits of chamomile tea
Modest flowers, often growing not only in meadows, but also on roadsides in dust and oblivion, are in fact a source of truly priceless raw materials. Chamomile decoction can relieve many diseases and protect against the “invasion” of microbes.
Read about other benefits of chamomile tea today on Passion.ru.
Benefits of chamomile tea
Chamomile can safely be called a small flower with great potential. This light-loving plant has absorbed the best from the sun, and the most useful from the earth.
An infusion of chamomile copes well even with old gastritis. If you want to heal your stomach, then give up other hot drinks for a month and drink chamomile tea three times a day. In addition, it helps to get rid of colic and discomfort in the stomach after overeating, so it is simply irreplaceable after large feasts and during long holidays.
In autumn, spring and winter, it is recommended to drink this tea at least 4-5 times a week, as it not only disinfects, but also improves mood. If you do catch a cold, then chamomile tea will come to the rescue - it soothes sore throats, has a diaphoretic effect, and lowers the temperature.
Chamomile tea contains flavonoids and azulenes, that is, it has an antibacterial effect, so it helps relieve internal inflammation. It relieves cystitis and other diseases of the genitourinary system, relieves pain from pyelonephritis, removes the effects of food poisoning and removes substances that poison the body.
Chamomile tea restores the nervous system, it calms, helps to relax, relieves depression and the effects of stress. It will also save you from insomnia. Those who regularly drink this drink are less susceptible to neuroses, irritability and sleep disturbances.
In addition, chamomile tea is recommended for those who take painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs that contain acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) on a regular basis or just for 2-3 weeks. This drink reduces the risk of erosion of the stomach walls and restores its microflora.
Chamomile tea cleanses the liver, so it should be drunk regularly by those who abuse fatty and heavy foods, alcohol and medications. This drink is a prophylactic that to some extent protects against liver cirrhosis.
Chamomile tea is a mild antispasmodic, relieves muscle spasms, so it is recommended to drink it for headaches caused by sudden changes in weather or changes in blood pressure, for pain during menstruation, and for exacerbation of gastric diseases.
In addition, the beneficial properties of chamomile tea include: getting rid of migraines, lowering cholesterol and blood sugar, preventing cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Some experts also say that this drink has a choleretic effect and helps get rid of kidney and gallstones.
Chamomile tea helps maintain youth. Its use helps improve skin tone, making it younger and fresher. Moreover, it is recommended to take chamomile infusion orally on an empty stomach and wash your face with it. A decoction frozen in ice cube trays also has an excellent effect; it can be used to wipe the face, neck and décolleté in the morning.
Chamomile tea: contraindications
Chamomile tea does have a wide range of beneficial qualities and actions, however, like any drink, it has some contraindications.
Firstly, surprisingly, cases of allergic reactions and stomach upsets have been recorded. Therefore, individual intolerance is a contraindication.
Secondly, chamomile tea is not recommended to be taken simultaneously (in the same period) with sedatives and diuretics. The fact is that it also has similar properties, so mixing it with sedatives, antidepressants and diuretics can cause an overdose.
By and large, this is where the contraindications end. In general, chamomile tea is so beneficial that it is given even to babies, and from a very early age.
How to collect and dry chamomile
Chamomile can be bought in bulk at any pharmacy or in a store in the form of tea bags, but if you collect it yourself, you will know for sure that only a natural product is in your cup. Collect this flower in ecologically clean areas during flowering (in May-June), take those inflorescences that have just opened and pinch off the heads without stems.
Dry the chamomile by spreading it in a thin layer (1 kg per 1 m2) in a shady place - under a canopy on the street, in the attic or at home in a well-ventilated area. It takes 5-6 days. Stir the flowers periodically, but do it carefully so that the petals do not fall off. You can dry the raw materials in a slightly warm oven.
When drying, avoid direct sunlight and heating above 40 degrees - both kill the beneficial properties of this plant. Chamomile is ready for use when the receptacle is easily rubbed into dust with your fingers. Store dried flowers in a cardboard box or canvas bags. Shelf life – 1 year.
How to make chamomile tea
Chamomile tea is not boiled. Basically, flowers are simply poured with boiling water at the rate of 1-2 teaspoons per 200 ml of water, left for 7-10 minutes, filtered and drunk either pure or with the addition of sugar or honey. To get a richer drink, you can hold it for 20 minutes in a water bath (on the lowest heat).
For those who for some reason do not like the taste of chamomile tea, we suggest trying brewing it with the addition of other equally healthy ingredients. Chamomile itself will not lose its magical properties from such a “neighborhood”.
Chamomile tea recipe
For 2 servings you will need: 2 heaped teaspoons of chamomile flowers, 4 leaves of fresh mint (or 0.5 teaspoon of dried), finely grated zest from half a medium-sized lemon and 3 teaspoons of liquid honey.
Pour 500 ml of boiling water over chamomile and mint, let stand for 5 minutes, then add zest and leave for another 5-6 minutes. Strain the resulting drink and add honey to it.
Finally, let me give you one more piece of advice: chamomile tea will actually bring you a lot of benefits if it is natural. If you want to take advantage of its medicinal properties, then do not buy tea bags, or those that say on the packaging that they have added flavorings. It is better to purchase a scattering of dried flowers with a specified collection date or at least an expiration date.
