Chamomile Tea can be taken as a herbal supplement to ease pain, cure sleep issues, treat an upset stomach, make skin look good and boost the immunity.

Chamomile tea has been a widely used herbal drink since the Greek, Roman and Egyptian periods. Today, this is mostly popular for Americans when someone has an upset stomach or if they are having trouble with sleeping. There are two type of chamomile used to make a good tea that provides benefits as mentioned in the Web MD: Roman, or English chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) and German chamomile (Matricaria retutica).

Health benefits of chamomile tea extract , infusions, tinctures, creams and ointments are just same as those found in fresh and dried flower heads. The Roman chamomile is used for an upset stomach and insomnia, while the German chamomile is used to fight bacterial infections and reduce skin swelling.

The Health Benefits and Side Effects of Chamomile Tea

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the intake of dietary supplements among the population, unlike the way that they regulate the use of medicine. But it advise that you consult a physician prior to taking chamomile tea because it may cause allergic reactions if you have an allergy to pollens. They also answered the question “Is chamomile tea safe to drink during pregnancy?” with a big no same as for breastfeeding mothers as it affects the menstrual cycle and hormone level of women, as reported by the Live Strong.

Aside from the mentioned benefits, it is also an immunity booster as concluded in the study published in the American Chemical Society: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in 2005. Participants who took 5 cups of chamomile tea for two continuous weeks have shown increased level of hippurate, which is known to boost the immunity system that fights bacteria and viruses.

How to Make Healthy Chamomile Tea

Learn how to make healthy chamomile tea recipe with this simple steps. Since chamomile tea has a number of benefits in and outside the body, the recipe also varies. But mostly, it involves boiling, drinking or applying on the damaged area. So the recipe from Food.com involves 2 tablespoon of fresh chamomile flowers, 2 cups of boiling water, 2 slices of apple for added flavor and honey.

First, rinse the flowers using cool water to remove dirt. Now, heat the pot with water until boiling then add the apple slices into the pot and mash it with spoon as it gets softer while heating. Add in the fresh and washed chamomile flowers along with another 2 cups of boiling water. Allow to steep with pot cover on for about 3 to 5 minutes. This recipe can make 2-3 cups depending on volume. Honey will be added if you want to make it sweeter.

Now, your chamomile tea is ready to drink. This can also be given to kids as long as you let it cool first.