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Chamomile is an herb that belongs to the Asteraceae (daisy or sunflower) plant family and is grown around the world. It forms a daisylike flower with small white petals, a yellow center, and a thin stem, and can grow nearly 3 feet high.
Chamomile has been used as a traditional medicine for thousands of years to calm anxiety and settle stomachs. People in ancient Rome, Greece, and Egypt used dried chamomile flowers and their essential oils as a medicinal herb.
Today, two types of chamomile are still commonly used as an herbal medicine: German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), the most widely used, and Roman or English chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile).
Chamomile comes in many forms. You can find it in capsules, tablets, liquid extracts, oils, or skin creams and ointments.
In the U.S., chamomile is best known as an ingredient in herbal tea.
Chamomile is definitely one of the most popular wild medicinal plants that can be eaten. The two main types are the more popular German chamomile and the lesser known Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). Although they belong to different species, they are used to treat the same health ailments in herbal pharmacy. Both are used to calm frayed nerves, help in soothing various stomach problems, reduce muscle spasms, and to treat several skin conditions. The German variety grows in many countries.
Most of us immediately think of thyme, rosemary, or parsley when it comes to herbs. However, when asked about herbal tea, generally, the first one to come to mind is chamomile. Its bright apple scent and light flavor are well-known throughout the world.
Hamomile, also spelled camomile, any of the various daisy-like plants of the aster family (Asteraceae). Chamomile tea, used as a tonic and an antiseptic and in many herbal remedies, is made from English, or Roman, chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) or German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla). Several species are cultivated as garden ornamentals, especially golden marguerite, or yellow chamomile (Cota tinctoria).
Many members of the genus Anthemis, containing more than 100 species of Eurasian herbs, are also known as chamomile. They characteristically have yellow or white ray flowers and yellow disk flowers in compact flower heads. Mayweed, or stinking chamomile (A. cotula), is a strong-smelling weed used in medicines and insecticides.
Culinary or Medicinal Uses
Many people enjoy chamomile tea as a caffeine-free alternative to black or green tea and for its earthy, somewhat sweet taste. It’s also full of antioxidants, powerful compounds that may play a role in reducing your risk of certain diseases.
Chamomile tea is also soothing and relaxing, and many people use it to aid digestion and sleep.
May promote digestive health
Proper digestion is extremely important for your overall health.
While chamomile may help with digestion and gastrointestinal health, there’s little research supporting this.
Some older animal studies found that it may help control diarrheaTrusted Source and prevent stomach ulcersTrusted Source. Despite these findings, more human research is needed to confirm chamomile’s role in digestion.Nevertheless, there are many anecdotal claims that drinking chamomile tea is soothing to the stomach. Many traditional medicine practices promote its use for digestive ailments like nausea, and gas.
May protect against certain types of cancer
The antioxidants found in chamomile tea have been linked with a lower incidence of certain types of cancer.Chamomile contains the antioxidant apigenin. In test-tube studiesTrusted Source, apigenin has been shown to fight cancer cells, especially those of the breast, digestive tract, skin, prostate and uterus.
Additionally, one study of 537 people observed that those who drank chamomile tea 2–6 times per week were at a lower risk of developing thyroid cancer than those who did not drink chamomile tea.
These findings are promising, but more high-quality, human research is necessary to make a conclusion regarding chamomile tea’s role in cancer prevention.
May benefit blood sugar control
Drinking chamomile tea could aid in lowering blood sugar levels. Its anti-inflammatory properties may prevent damage to the cells of your pancreas. Having a healthy pancreas is extremely important because it produces insulin, the hormone responsible for moving sugar from your blood into cells.
One studyTrusted Source looked 50 participants with diabetes. They found that drinking chamomile tea twice per day for 4 weeks was linked to improved blood sugar control, lipid profiles, and kidney function.
While chamomile tea isn’t a replacement for medication if you have diabetes, it may be a useful addition to your management plan.
May benefit heart health
Chamomile tea contains flavones, a class of antioxidants. According to research, flavonoids may improve cardiovascular health by reducing LDL, also known as “bad” cholesterol.
One older study
Trusted Source found that people with diabetes who drank chamomile tea had reductions in their triglyceride (blood fat) and LDL levels. However, more research is necessary to prove just how effective it is for improving heart health.
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