27 Chamomile Tea Health Benefits (AKA Manzanilla)

Manzanilla tea in a pot

Chamomile Tea (also known as Manzanilla Tea) is a widely consumed beverage due to its health benefits. It has been in use over an extended period and proved it’s efficacy. As a matter of fact, the Greeks, Egyptians and the Romans used it to cure minor wounds. Nowadays, it is used as a natural and herbal treatment for various conditions and treatments in our body. Have you been procrastinating on taking this tea? Well, the Chamomile tea has numerous benefits that will convince you to include this herbal tea in your kitchen tea stash.

Here are 27 chamomile tea benefits:


1.    Skin lightening.

Chamomile tea is a natural skin bleach. It lightens your contours and brings a radiant glow to your skin. It does this by tightening the pores and softening the skin, hence blurring the spots and scars.


2.    Treats Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) causes a lot of discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract. Literally, you can manage the situation by managing diet, lifestyle, and stress. In addition, research indicates that taking chamomile helps in reducing stomach cramps by releasing excessive gas. It also reduces bloating and gas formation. It can equally be used as a part of a management strategy for common stomach ache.


3.    Reduce Ulcer Pain.

The National Institute of Health has found that Chamomile tea is a healthy and natural treatment of ulcers, and particularly peptic ulcers. It is a readily available and cost-effective variant for soothing the ulcer pain.


4.    It eliminates dark circles.

Image Credit: Jim Simonson

Dark circles are the dark swellings found below the eyes. Since chamomile tea has anti-inflammatory effects, it has the potential to reduce the swelling. It can also be used to relax the eyes after spending many hours working on the computer.

 

5.    Treats allergies and rashes.

Chamomile tea makes the body resistant to allergies. Research reveals that Chamomile has a natural antihistamine activity. Daily usage of a few cups of this herbal tea will fight against the allergens. Alternatively, you can use it externally by applying the essential oil on the allergy-prone area.


6.    Treats acne.

Chamomile tea contains antioxidants that help the body fight against acne breakouts. Acne is a social problem for people, who suffer from facial breakouts. Chamomile tea offers two-way solutions for this problem. One, and most common, is taking this tea orally. The second option is(users opinion) rubbing the wet tea bags or leaves in the affected area.


7.    Decreases Hair Dandruff.

Another beneficial use of chamomile tea is the treatment of dandruff. It does not only treat, but also prevents the occurrence of dandruff. In addition to that, it soothes itching scalp and strengthens the hair.


8.    Prevents Skin Inflammation.

Chamomile tea inhibits inflammation and in particular skin inflammation. Moreover, it increases the synthesis of collagen protein in the body and, most importantly, stimulates the regrowth of tissues. A recent study has shown that it is safe to use for the skin. However, it is worth to mention,  that there is a potential risk of angioedema and anaphylaxis. It was recently approved by the German Commission E for inflammatory mucocutaneous diseases and wound and burn therapy.


9.    Prevents Cancer.

Preclinical studies have shown that apigenin, contained in Chamomile, is a chemical that inhibits breast cancer cells proliferation. The regular consumption over an extended period proves to be beneficial in preventing and fighting cancer.


10.    Natural Cleanser.

A published study reveals that chamomile is herbal medicine, capable of being a natural cleanser. Skincare is one of the major benefits of this herbal tea. It improves skin health because it’s antibacterial, antioxidant, moisturizing, cleansing and healing features. This properties not only improve your skin health but also make your skin develop better through activated regeneration.


11.    Anti-aging property.

The anti-aging property is another acknowledged benefit of chamomile tea. Owing to its antioxidant property, it shields your skin cells against harm caused by free radicals. These free radicals are one of the main pathways, eventually leading to aging. Chamomile tea has the ability to remove wrinkles and gives you that young look. It even goes further to make your skin glowing and healthier.


12.    It treats wounds and cuts.

Chamomile tea heals wounds and cuts in combination with normal treatments owing its property to relieve the pain and relapse skin irritation.


13.    Anti-Depressant.

Depression and anxiety are the most commonly reported psychiatric conditions. Clinical trials in humans determined that chamomile has anti-depressant and anxiolytic properties which prove that chamomile can provide clinically significant anti-depressant activity.


14.    Treats Hemorrhoids.

Studies have shown that Chamomile improves pain, discomfort, and bleeding, caused by Haemorrhoid. Hemorrhoids are inflamed and swollen veins around the rectum an anus. Due to Chamomile sooting activity, it relieves the discomfort and helps in the treatment of hemorrhoids.


15.    Skin Moisturiser.

Regular consumption of chamomile tea will leave your skin moisturized and nourished. It has that natural moisturizing factor. Hence it can serve as an excellent replacement of commonly used chemicals. It will also have more benefits for your skin. Hence, it is advisable to take several cups of this tea regularly to enjoy the benefits.


16.    Accelerates healing process.

Chamomile tea has a great ability to accelerate the healing process. In fact, it was even used in the ancient days by the Greeks and Romans to disinfect and heal minor wounds. It can be utilized for the same purpose even today.


17.    Maintains glucose level.

Another great benefit of chamomile tea is that it helps in the maintenance of the glucose levels in the body. When taken at the right dose it can help improve the control over type 2 diabetes.


18.    Hair Rinse.

Chamomile tea can be used as the final hair rinse when allowed to cool to a comfortable temperature. Alternatively, it can be added to various hair masks or hair treatments. It will nourish your hair, make it has a shiny and golden glow. In addition to that, it will help fight dandruff and treat head scalp irritation.


19.    Helps in digestion.

When we eat food, it is mixed with digestive juices as it passes through the digestive system. These juices break the food down for proper absorption from the intestines and hence are used for body needs. However, sometimes the food may not be broken in the right form. Chamomile tea helps treat digestive conditions like indigestion, colic, diarrhea, and bloating.


20.    It eases skin irritation.

Studies reveal that chamomile has properties that enable it to soothe skin irritation. Chamomile tea can significantly reduce Eczema, itches, and bites. It can cure almost all sorts of skin irritation. You just need to apply it on the infected area.


21.    Treats conjunctivitis.

Chamomile tea has historically been used to treat conjunctivitis. Eye washing using the tea was used to heal the ailment with efficacy. However, research to support this hypothesis has indicated that eye washing may induce allergic conjunctivitis. However, there is not enough data on those who drink herbal tea to insinuate the same. Nonetheless, as mentioned above, chamomile tea has antimicrobial, anti-irritant and natural anti-inflammatory properties.

More research should be performed to support its efficacy on the treatment of conjunctivitis.


22.    Menstrual cramps treatment.

Chamomile tea reduces muscle spasm in the uterus. It contains Glycerin, that relaxes nervous tension which is pathogenetically related to the cramps. It also regularizes the menstrual periods.


23.    Treats Diabetes.

Studies found on NCBI database have shown that chamomile tea can lower the sugar levels in the blood. In addition, it significantly improves insulin resistance. It is also vital for the reduction of glycosylated hemoglobin concentration in the body.

Again, 2 to 3 cups of this herbal tea will help the diabetic patient maintain a normal blood sugar level.


24.    Treats Insomnia.

Insomnia is a disorder associated with lack of sleep. It is mostly experienced by adults, even though children can also have this problem. Chamomile tea has antispasmodic effects and acts as a sleep aid. It improves sleep duration as well as sleep quality.


25.    Relieves migraines.

A migraine is a very severe headache. If you experience such problems, Chamomile tea may be a good herbal medicine to try. Taking Manzanilla tea regularly and appropriately will help to manage this issue in the long term. It is also appropriate for curing other types of headaches.


26.    Boosts Immunity.

Chamomile tea is one of the known natural immunity boosters. Research publications found in NCBI indicate that it has anti-bacterial properties which help it fight against microbes. It also helps in the multiplication of white blood cells in the body and thereby reduces the vulnerability of your body to diseases.


27.    Prevents cold and flu.

Chamomile tea fights against common cold and flu. These conditions make the body weak and therefore easy to contract other diseases. Therefore, it boosts the immune system and helps you recover from illnesses faster.

In conclusion, chamomile tea has significant health benefits to our body. You might also be interested to learn the benefits of fennel tea here.