Ever since ancient times the Chamomile plant has been widely touted as a health elixir or some magic remedy to all kinds of ailments. Naturally, one of its main uses was (and still is) in the form of an herbal tea. This reputation of this daisy-like flower of being a boost to one’s health remains to this day, as Chamomile is still one of the most popular ingredients in our tisane.
The use of chamomile tea dates back as far as ancient Egypt where the Egyptians quickly discovered not only the calming effects of the plant, but also other benefits like helping with digestion and one’s immune system. As a result, the belief was that Chamomile was a gift from the Sun god Ra, because of its rejuvenating nature. They even used it to try and heal physical wounds. The Greeks were similarly impressed by Chamomile tea, and even gave the plant its current name, the Greek translation for “ground apple” because of its appearance and scent. During medieval times Chamomile tea was used to treat fevers and other such ailments.
The Chamomile plant is native to Western Europe, India and Asia, and has the useful property of being able to grow in a wide variety of climates and soil conditions. The plant species is commonly divided into two main categories, Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) and German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla). The most notable difference between the two is that German Chamomile is annual, and therefore needs to be replanted each year. However, Roman Chamomile tends to lead to a more bitter taste when used in a tisane, whereas the German variant tends to be sweeter. Even so, German Chamomile is much less prevalent worldwide which means it’s more likely your chamomile tea is made from Roman Chamomile.
So, what makes Chamomile so beneficial for one’s health? Well, because Chamomile has a positive effect on one’s nervous system, the tisane has often been used to induce a sense of calmness, or to alleviate anxiety. Unsurprisingly then, chamomile has been a staple ingredient in many “just before bed” teas, as it also contains no caffeine at all. Other potential health benefits include, soothing the stomach, helping with menstrual cramps, combating the common cold, managing diabetes and more. As with most health claims surrounding tea, future research is needed. Furthermore, those with severe allergic reactions should not consume Chamomile tea, and women who are pregnant also do well to avoid it.
