Is Chamomile Tea Good For Anxiety

Unbelievable Benefits And Risks Of Chamomile Tea

The benefits of chamomile tea seem to be somewhat unlimited. And if you arent already on board the chamomile train, youre actually a few centuries behindchamomile has been used for its medicinal properties for centuries!

Chamomile tea a natural home remedy for allergies, inflammation, muscle spasms, insomnia, ulcers, chickenpox and the list goes on.

Despite chamomile being one of the safest herbal teas to drink, there are still some risks of chamomile tea to watch out for. Chamomile isnt like other herbal teas, hibiscus and yerba mate for example, which have a lot more potential risks.

So is it safe for you to be drinking chamomile tea? Lets find out!

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them at no extra cost to you!

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Aromatherapy To Deal With Stress And Anxiety

Many of the herbs we mentioned above can also be used as aromatherapy treatments to help deal with stress and anxiety. Using essential oils can be hugely beneficial for combating stress and allowing you to relax and unwind.

Some traditionally relaxing scents include lavender, chamomile, sandalwood and sage. However, you should pick one or more scents that you like. Try matching your herbal tea to your aromatherapy for double the effect.

You can use the oils in diffusers, on your pillow at night, as a bath oil, in a face steamer or as part of a topical cream. Each oil has its own health benefits, and you can create your blend that is specialised for your needs.

Chamomile May Help Menstrual Pain

Dysmenorrhea, or menstrual pain, can affect up to 93% of women during the course of their lives. Chamomile tea may be one pathway to a solution.

Monica Auslander Moreno, MS, RDN, a nutritionist at Essence Nutrition in Miami says that “warm, soothing beverages” can take away pain. But chamomile is better because like mint and other herbs, it has properties that relieve involuntary muscle spasms.

Richards agrees that cramps are exacerbated by spasms, also noting that the chemical structure of chamomile contains amino acids that bring relief by relaxing the uterus.

A small 2010 study found that chamomile tea might be used preemptively to treat dysmenorrhea. The study concluded that those who drank tea twice per day for a week before the onset of menstruation experienced relief of pain and anxiety. Still, more studies of this nature need to be performed.

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Side Effects Of Chamomile Tea For Anxiety

There arent many side effects out there for chamomile tea for anxiety.

However, it is always good to know about cautious steps before using it as a supplement. Some of the reported side effects are given below.

• Can cause eczema which is a skin allergic condition
• Large dosage of chamomile tea can cause vomiting too
• Anaphylaxis , throat swelling and shortness of breath can be caused by chamomile at times for people who are allergic to daisy family

It should be kept in mind that the US Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the production of supplements and herbs.

Therefore, most supplements and herbs are not tested completely and no specific risks or guarantees are known.

Benefits Of Chamomile Tea

Not for nothing is chamomile tea known as an all-around comforting tea. Its amazing and calming effects enable you to relax at the end of a stressful day. The herbal drink is perfect for anyone who wants to relax at night before sleeping. Some people also report that drinking chamomile tea has helped treat their colds. Here are a few specific health benefits of consuming pure chamomile tea:

• Besides being calming and relaxing, chamomile tea is great at easing aches, pains and cramps.
• It is bursting with anti-inflammatory properties that help prevent diarrhea.
• If you suffer from bladder irritation, chamomile tea can ease it.
• You can use it to ease burns as it works as an amazing antiseptic and antibacterial skin wash.
• It also helps in making your skin softer.
• Helps ease vomiting and nausea.
• Helps with insomnia. It has a calming effect that helps you fall asleep.
• Chamomile tea is a smooth muscle relaxant that helps with gastrointestinal tract function, gas, bloating and pain.

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Natural Tea Remedies For Stress And Anxiety

With problems springing up everyday and pressure building up in different angles, mental, physical and emotional, youre bound to be stressed out! The worlds getting crazier by the minute and it doesnt seem like itll stop any time soon.

Anxiety and stress are tough to deal with. Turning to medication to help deal with them puts you at risk of adverse side effects. In fact, anti-anxiety medication increases your mortality risk by 36%.

That is why more and more people are looking for a safer and more natural solution. Heres a list of 6 natural teas for stress and anxiety so that you can literally drink your way to calmness and relaxation.

1. Peppermint Tea

Our first stop in the list of natural remedies is peppermint tea. This aromatic tea works well to reduce stress and relieves you from anxiety. The menthol contained in peppermint is a natural muscle relaxant. When youre stressed out or anxious, you tend to feel very tense and irritable.

Drinking peppermint tea will help you have an overall calm. Because of the relaxing effect of peppermint tea and its lack of caffeine, it makes a wonderful tea to drink before going to bed. It will help you have a peaceful sleep, just what you need after a crazy day.

Note of warning though, peppermint tea may help reduce stress and anxiety, but pregnant women must avoid drinking it. This is because it may increase the risk of miscarriage.

3. Lemon Balm Tea

5. Green Tea

Chamomile Tea Before Bed Can Act As A Sleep Aid

Chamomile as a sleep aid is one of the most well known benefits of chamomile tea, and we have apigenin to thank for it!

Apigenin links certain receptors in your brain to promote sleep. Its actually used as a main ingredient for minor tranquilizers. Its no wonder chamomile tea is great to drink before bed!

Surprisingly, there arent enough conclusive studies showing that chamomile does in fact help you sleep better. Its not for lack of trying though. There have been studies with new mothers, the elderly, and insomniacs. The results just arent enough to say anything for certain.

The only study that showed promising results used chamomile extract. They had participants consume it twice daily for a month. They fell asleep, on average, 15 minutes earlier, and didnt wake up as much throughout the night. So thats something right!?

Nonetheless, people will swear by chamomiles relaxing qualities, and have so for centuries. Perhaps thats all it takes. A study did show that if you believe that chamomile tea before bed will help you sleep then it will!

Read a full overview of the studies on chamomile and sleep.

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Chamomile Tea For Relaxation

Chamomile tea is well-known for being calming and relaxing and helping you fall asleep at night. But did you know you can also drink chamomile in the day to help with feelings of anxiety, depression and stress?

Chamomile contains a particular antioxidant called apigenin. The apigenin works by binding with GABA nerve receptors in your brain, which helps to reduce panic signals. Its like extra GABA which is similar to Valerian root.

It may take around 45 minutes for your body to metabolise the apigenin. So, you should drink chamomile an hour before a stressful situation to minimise stress. You can even drink chamomile when you feel stressed or after a stressful situation to help you calm down.

Chamomile can also help regulate blood sugar levels which prevents panic attacks. Many people feel anxious or panicky when they experience a sugar rush.

High blood sugar levels can cause overthinking, heart palpitations and panic attacks. And by regulating blood sugar with chamomile tea, you can avoid sudden surges of anxiety.

Applying It Topically Could Benefit Your Skin

Because chamomile is helpful in reducing stress and encouraging sleeptwo things that can impact your skindrinking the herbal tea may indirectly provide a one-two punch for your skincare routine. However, its more likely to have a bigger impact if an extract is applied topically, as Dietz notes research has been done on chamomiles effects when applied in that manner.

For example, a small study from the 1980s found applying chamomile extract could help heal skin wounds after tattoo removal. And a review of studies in 2011 noted the herb has traditionally been used to treat skin irritations, bruises, burns and conditions like eczema. Its also common to see chamomile as an ingredient in skincare to help soothe irritation or relax muscles, Dietz adds.

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Natural Vitamins For Anxiety And Panic Attacks

When your heart is pounding, its hard to breathe and it feels like the world is closing in around you, it can be a scary feeling. Youre not alone. Panic attacks are pretty common, one large study looking at the prevalence of panic attacks in the US found that around 28% of people experienced a panic attack at some point during their lifetime although fewer go on to develop panic disorder. Thats what its called when fear of having more panic attacks starts causing problems in a persons life. If youre avoiding places youd like to go because youre afraid of having another panic attack there, thats a sign that panic attacks are becoming a problem. If youre skipping work or school and canceling social plans just so you dont risk having a panic attack, its time to get some help, there may also be benefits in natural vitamins for anxiety and panic attacks.

One final note sometimes people think theyre having a medical emergency and find out theyre having a panic attack. If youve consulted Dr. Google to figure out whats going on with your health and think its anxiety, its important to see a healthcare provider to confirm that theres not a serious underlying medical problem thats triggering the symptoms. Also, that healthcare provider can be a good source of support or put you on the path to finding a good psychotherapist to treat the panic disorder with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Check here for a therapist in your area: http://www.findcbt.org/xFAT/

Chamomile Tea Relieves Anxiety And Lifts Mood

If anxious thoughts and feelings tend to follow you, or if irritability and bouts of mild depression are a struggle in your life, give the humble chamomile flower a closer look.

Tieraona Low Dog, M.D.

The science is in, and our grandmothers were right! Chamomile can make a bad day or worried night better. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have found that long-term use of German chamomile was clearly effective for helping to control anxiety and mild bouts of depression in people diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder when compared to placebo. This suggests that regular incorporation of chamomile as an herbal remedy can fight back against low moods and ease tension.

This great news means that those who make chamomile part of their regular routine may be more likely to achieve a balanced outlook. Lets face it anxiety is a huge problem for so many of us these days, some even call it an epidemic of our modern fast-paced society. With our go-getter lifestyles its just so easy to get overwhelmed by demands and worries. If anxious thoughts and feelings tend to follow you, or if irritability and bouts of mild depression are a struggle in your life, give the humble chamomile flower a closer look.

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Treating Diabetes And Lowering Blood Sugar

Again, some studies have found that chamomile tea can lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. Research does not show that chamomile is a viable substitute for diabetes medications, but it may be a helpful supplement to existing treatments.

Similarly, a 2008 study of rats found that consistent consumption of chamomile tea might prevent blood sugar from increasing. This effect reduces the long-term risk of diabetes complications, suggesting that chamomile could improve diabetes outcomes.

Best Tea For Sleep And Relaxation

Ingredients: Organic passionflower extract, organic valerian root extract, organic licorice root, organic chamomile flower, organic spearmint leaf, organic skullcap leaf, organic cardamom pod, organic cinnamon bark, organic rose hip, organic lavender flower, organic stevia leaf and organic orange flavor.

The Yogi brand is going to be the most expensive on this list. Yogi teas are all wellness-based — meaning its teas are made with your health in mind, only ever using organic ingredients — and offer products for cold season, immune support, detoxing and sleep. Each tea is USDA-certified organic, non-GMO, vegan, kosher, gluten-free and free of artificial flavors and sweeteners. Its Bedtime Tea is also caffeine-free.

Best enjoyed an hour before bed, Yogi Bedtime Tea relies on the natural sleep aids of passionflower, valerian root, chamomile, mint and cinnamon — which cinnamon extract has shown to increase melatonin levels.

This pack of four comes with 16 tea bags each for a total of 64 tea bags.

• For the best brewing: boil water, pour over the tea bag and let steep for seven minutes. Use two tea bags for a stronger cup.

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How Exactly Does Chamomile Work

Considering the vast number of conditions chamomile is reported to help with, the question of how it can do so much naturally arises!

Scientists still arent 100% sure how it works, even in the areas where research does show it to be effective.

For anxiety and sleep problems, one theory is that a flavonoid compound in chamomile called apigenin causes relaxation. Its thought that apigenin binds to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain, which then has a sedative effect.

Although apigenin is currently receiving a lot of attention, chamomile has many other active compounds which could contribute to its sedative effect, and possibly the other benefits.

How Much Chamomile Is Too Much

Dosage instructions are also important when it comes to using a supplement or using anything which comes under the umbrella of dietary supplements. Natural supplements are rich in 5-HTP, an amino acid, which raises serotonin levels.

You need to look at the product label so you can dosage instructions. You can also take suggestions from your healthcare provider before using chamomile.

However, a general idea for dosage instructions for adults is given below.

• Tea: 1 to 4 cups of tea per day
• Liquid extract: 1 to 4 ml three times daily
• Capsules: 400 to 1600 mg in divided doses daily
• Tincture: 15 ml three to four times daily

We dont have enough scientific data and evidence available to suggest use of chamomile in children.

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Chamomile Can Interact With Your Medication

One of the main concerns with herbal teas are their ability to interact with other medications, and chamomile is no exception.

There still isnt too much information about the interaction between chamomile and drugs, but its always best to be on the safe side.

It may increase the risk of bleeding if you are on blood thinners, or ibuprofen or naproxen. If you take benzodiazepines, barbiturates, narcotics, anti-seizure medications, some antidepressants and alcohol it may cause increased drowsiness .

If youre already on medication to control your blood sugar or blood pressure, there are added risks as well. For example, it can cause them to drop too low .

Chamomile is also comparable to estrogen, so, it can interfere with the effectiveness of hormone therapy.

If youre unsure about how chamomile will react with a medication youre taking, its always best to consult your doctor first.

Sipping Regularly May Help Those With Diabetes

If youve struggled with your blood sugar, research has found sipping chamomile regularly could help. A small study published in the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation had patients with type 2 diabetes drink the tea three times a day for eight weeks, and found those who did had lower insulin and cholesterol levels than those who drank plain water.

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Best Overall Tea For Anxiety And Stress

Ingredients: Peppermint, spearmint and tarragon

Tazo is one of the top tea brands on the market and one of my personal favorites. Not only does it produce quality caffeinated teas, but it also offers plenty of non-caffeinated and herbal tea selections.

Tazo’s Refresh Mint tea is an infusion of peppermint, spearmint and a little tarragon. Mint is a natural anxiety and stress aid. A pilot study on peppermint, in particular, suggests mint tea also enhances memory and improves sleep quality.

This tea comes in a pack of six, and each box contains 20 tea bags.

• For the best brewing: boil water , pour a cup of water over the tea bag and let steep for five minutes.