Your body depends upon a healthy amount of glucose, a type of sugar, to keep your cells functioning at peak performance. When blood sugar levels are too high or too low, the risk of developing other medical conditions, like diabetes, increases. Chamomile, a mild-tasting herb, shows promise in normalizing blood sugar levels, but rigorous clinical testing on humans is necessary to confirm reliable benefits. See your doctor for regular blood sugar screenings, and use chamomile tea in conjunction with a healthy diet and your doctor’s recommended treatment plan.
Chamomile
Chamaemelum nobile is the botanical name for Roman chamomile. Native to Asia, India and parts of Europe, Roman chamomile and its distant cousin, Matricaria recutita, or German chamomile, possess similar medicinal-type benefits. Both forms of chamomile produce dainty white and yellow flowers that contain many organic constituents, including terpenoids, flavonoids and cyanogenic glycosides. These components may be responsible for chamomile’s effect on high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia.
Effect on Blood Sugar
A study published in the November 2010 issue of “Molecular Medicine Reports” indicates that chamomile might be beneficial in the treatment of diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels and increasing glycogen storage in the liver. The report indicated that chamomile appears to function “independent of insulin secretion,” meaning it does not depend upon the pancreas to secrete insulin to lower blood sugar. Additional scientific testing is necessary to determine the full range of chamomile’s benefits.
Peparation and Consumption
Chamomile tea is on the FDA’s list of generally recognized as safe, or GRAS, substances. The “Gale Encyclopedia” suggests preparing chamomile tea by measuring 1 teaspoon of the dried flowers into a cup and covering with 1 cup of boiling water. Steep the tea for five minutes, strain and sip up to three cups per day.
Considerations
People who are allergic to plants in the daisy family should not drink chamomile tea. Although it's considered safe for most people, you should not drink chamomile tea if you are pregnant or breastfeeding until you talk to your doctor. Hyperglycemia is a serious medical condition. While herbal remedies can often be beneficial, they can’t take the place of professional medical advice and treatment.
References
- HealthyWomen.org: Know Your Blood Sugar Basics
- “Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine”; Jacqueline L. Longe; 2005
- “Molecular Medicine Reports”; Chamomile: A Herbal Medicine of the Past With a Bright Future; Janmejai K. Srivastava, et.al.; November 2010
