Chamomile Tea
Table of Contents
NEWS: This superfood is now available in the SANEStore as a convenient whole-food powder so you can more easily enjoy it in smoothies and recipes.
Chamomile Tea originates from the Nile River Valley of Egypt. Considered a remedy for all ills by the ancient Egyptians, this golden herb remains a modern favorite to promote calm and relieve anxiety. When steeped, these fragrant blossoms smell of freshly cut apples and produce a rich, golden cup with superior flavor. This caffeine free herbal infusion is delicious served with honey or agave nectar.
Why Try Chamomile Tea?
Health benefits and uses of chamomile extract
List of health benefits of Chamomile Extract:
Antioxidant properties:
It has been known to contain antioxidant activity of chamazulene responsible for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities.
Studies of various extracts prepared from different parts of plant have also shown high antioxidant activity which may be due to polyphenolic compounds present in it.
It is likely to act as a free radical scavenger because it possesses considerable amount of phenolic components along with other flavonoids like apigenin, patuletin etc.
Antioxidants are used in the treatment of oxidative stress related disorders.
Oxidative stress is caused by excess production or reduced detoxification or reduced degradation process in the body that results into accumulation of free radicals in the body that causes damage to cells and tissues.
Chamomile extract is used in the treatment of various oxidative stress related diseases like atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory skin disorders etc.
Anti-inflammatory activity:
It has analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities due to its chamazulene content which reduces capillary permeability and inhibits prostaglandin biosynthesis resulting into decreased inflammation.
This compound also reduces leukocyte adhesion and migration at sites of acute inflammation.
Analgesic properties:
Presence of flavonoids such as apigenin can give it strong antispasmodic effect without affecting central nervous system involved in pain perception . This analgesic property of chamomile extract is due to the inhibition of prostaglandins biosynthesis.
Antispasmodic activity:
It has antispasmodic activity which helps in relieving spasms caused by smooth muscles like gastrointestinal, biliary and respiratory tracts.
This effect is mediated through its flavonoids content which acts on calcium channels to alleviate muscle contractions.
It is also used for relieving abdominal cramps, colic pain and flatulence.
Dental uses:
Chamomile extract possesses anti-inflammatory properties that inhibit inflammatory response by inhibiting production of inflammatory mediators like prostaglandin etc., thus it can be used as an adjunct therapy with scaling and root planing in the management of chronic periodontitis.
Anti-ulcer activity:
It has gastroprotective activity due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which inhibit mucosal damage caused by NSAIDs (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs).
It can be used as an alternative for treating gastrointestinal ulcers associated with non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs. It also reduces gastric acid secretion and also prevents aspirin induced gastric mucosal injury.
Anticancer activity:
Chamomile extract is used in the treatment of various cancers like leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma due to its anticancer property which is thought to be due to cytotoxic effects on that may result from impairment of DNA synthesis and cell replication.
Some studies of various extracts prepared from different parts of plant have also shown anticancer activity which may be due to apigenin flavonoids present in it.
Chamomile extract is used as an adjunct therapy with chemotherapy drugs like doxorubicin, vincristine and etoposide for the treatment of leukemia.
Antimicrobial activity:
It has antimicrobial property due to its antioxidant content that can help in healing infections caused by bacteria , fungus and virus .
It is also used in treatment of septic wounds because of its wound healing activity due to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antibacterial properties.
Chamazulene present in it possesses antimicrobial effects which inhibit growth of bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis etc.
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