In search of a natural way to improve your sleep? Try this soothing herb.
Chamomile has been used in drinks since the time of the ancient Greeks, who knew a thing or two about natural remedies. The herb contains the chemical apigenin, which makes imbibers feel calm and sleepy.
“Chamomile basically acts as a mild tranquilizer,” dietitian Beth Czerwony told the Cleveland Clinic. “Those sorbets really help you sleep.”
But the plant also offers additional health benefits.
For starters, the calming effect of drinking chamomile tea can help lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of a cardiac event.
A herb first used in Ancient Greece comes with some major health benefits such as protecting bone health and nervous system health (Getty Images)
The daisy-like plant is also full of vitamins and minerals such as potassium and calcium. Potassium is an electrolyte that helps maintain the nervous system, protects bone health, prevents kidney stones, and regulates the heartbeat, according to UCLA Health.
The consumption of foods rich in potassium can reduce the risks of high blood pressure and heart disease that are attached to a diet rich in salt, according to the American Heart Association.
Most Americans do not get enough potassium, and experts recommend consuming 2,600 milligrams for women and 3,400 milligrams for men each day. A cup of chamomile tea contains about 21 milligrams of potassium, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center. Leafy greens, sweet potatoes, bananas and avocados are great potassium-packed foods to add to help meet those daily goals.
Like potassium, calcium keeps bones strong and teeth strong. “Your heart, muscles and nerves also need calcium to function properly,” notes the Mayo Clinic.
Chamomile blossoms in full bloom. The plant has been used by healers for thousands of years (AFP via Getty Images)
The nutrients in chamomile have anti-inflammatory properties, according to studies cited by the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Inflammation can result in certain chronic diseases and cancer. People who drink chamomile tea may have a lower risk of death from heart disease and potentially protection against some cancers, according to Harvard Medical School.
Finally, the chemical compounds in chamomile have been shown to be helpful in controlling or even preventing diabetes, according to researchers at the University of Leeds.
People who are pregnant should avoid chamomile, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, as it can lead to premature birth. So have people with a history of severe allergies, because chamomile can be contaminated with pollen from other plants.
For most people, the herb is considered safe when consumed in just a cup or two of tea. All you really need is one cup to reap the rewards, which include banishing anxiety.
“Chamomile tea is very safe, so if it works for you, there’s no reason to stop drinking it,” said Suzanna Zick, associate research professor at the University of Michigan. LiveScience.