For centuries people around the world have used chamomile tea as an elixir for a number of ailments. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), chamomile has not been well studied in people so there is little scientific evidence to support its effectiveness for any condition. However, many people find chamomile tea to help with a number of ailments, and several studies are beginning to show support for their claims.
As with all herbal remedies, consult with your doctor before using chamomile tea to treat a condition, as herbal supplements can interact with medications you may be taking or aggravate other conditions. According to NCCAM, people who are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds and daisies may have an allergic reaction to chamomile. Pregnant women should also avoid consuming chamomile.
Anxiety
Chamomile tea is probably best known for its reputation as a calming agent, and a study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, published in the August 2009 Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, found that capsules of chamomile extract reduced symptoms of anxiety in patients with mild to moderate generalized anxiety disorder. Though the research was done using capsules rather than tea, the results did indicate that chamomile may benefit people who suffer from anxiety.
Insomnia
With its soothing reputation, chamomile tea has been used as a remedy for insomnia for hundreds of years. According to a 2002 analysis by the National Health Interview Survey, approximately 1 million Americans have used a biological or herbal therapy like chamomile tea to treat sleeplessness.
Gastrointestinal Issues
According to NCCAM, chamomile is commonly used to treat upset stomach, gas and diarrhea in both adults and children. Two clinical trials referenced in the April 2007 issue of Pediatrics in Review showed potential for chamomile to help babies with colic. Babies were given an herbal tea containing chamomile as well as other herbal ingredients in one study and a similar blend of herbal ingredients in extract form in the other study. In both studies, more than half of the infants' colic symptoms improved after one week of consuming the chamomile tea or extract.
Diabetes
Chamomile tea may have another potential health benefit. A study in diabetic rats by researchers in Japan and the U.K., published in the September 2008 Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, concluded that daily consumption of chamomile tea may help prevent hyperglycemic and diabetic complications.
References
- Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry; Protective Effects of Dietary Chamomile Tea on Diabetic Complications; Atsushi Kato; Sept. 10, 2008
- Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology; A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Oral Matricaria Recutita (Chamomile) Extract Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder; Jay D. Amsterdam; August 2009
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Chamomile
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Sleep Disorders and CAM: At a Glance
- Pediatrics in Review; Complementary, Holistic and Integrative Medicine: Chamomile; Paula Gardiner; April 2007
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