Chamomile Tea: A Medicinal Herb Used by Millions

Chamomile has been used for many years in holistic medicine to treat many ailments, including asthma, fevers, colic, nausea, nervousness, and inflammation. All of these conditions may seem unrelated, but they are believed to be treated by this herb because of its soothing effects. That’s why you might have a cup of chamomile tea before bed after a particular stressful day. This herb has been so widely used and researched around the world that chamomile is actually considered a prescription drug in 26 countries.

In holistic medicine, chamomile is commonly used as a muscle relaxant and to reduce muscle spasms, but many also believe that chamomile has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory capabilities. Researchers believe that this plant’s healing ability comes from the volatile oils and flavonoids contained within.

Chamomile tea is taken around the world to soothe the nerves and promote feelings of relaxation. In fact, according to Rob McCaleb, President of the Herb Research Foundation in Boulder, Colorado, more than one million cups of chamomile tea are ingested worldwide every single day. That’s a lot of tea.

So, the next time someone tells you that holistic medicine is hooey, you can go ahead and tell them that they might, in fact, be practicing alternative medicine on themselves every time they pour a cup of chamomile tea.

For the best results, get fresh chamomile flowers instead of the tea bags. I also like to add a little applesauce and maple syrup to the boiling water. I know, it sounds a little odd, but it does taste very good. I make it almost every night for my husband and myself. He’s a tax accountant at a busy firm, so sometimes he really needs a little something to help him relax before bed. And, you can’t argue that a few cups of chamomile is healthier than a few glasses of wine.