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Chamomile tea is a popular caffeine-free drink made from dried chamomile flowers. See how to make chamomile tea properly, step-by-step, from a certified Tea Sommelier.
CONTENTS
What is Chamomile Tea?
Chamomile tea is an herbal drink made by steeping dried chamomile flowers in water. It can be made both hot and iced. It’s naturally caffeine-free.
Chamomile is a flowering plant with white petals and a mustard-yellow center that looks like a daisy. There are a few varieties of chamomile and only two types are used for tea, the German chamomile and Roman Chamomile.
One of the most popular herbals, chamomile tea dates back to ancient Egypt where it was used for medicinal purposes.
Chamomile contains antioxidants called flavonols and phenolic acids. Antioxidants protect healthy cells from free radicals, or harmful molecules that can build up and cause oxidative stress.
3. Manages Premenstrual Syndrome
Chamomile tea can help manage premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, in people who menstruate. According to a 2019 scientific review, chamomile contains antispasmodic substances, meaning they help ease muscle tension and PMS-related pain.
4. Supports Digestive Health
The next time you’re dealing with an upset stomach, reach for chamomile tea. The plant can relax the digestive tract, making it helpful for managing indigestion, diarrhea, motion sickness, and nausea.
5. Controls Blood Sugar Levels
As a 2020 scientific review notes, chamomile may help improve glycemic control, or the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels. Glycemic control is an important part of managing diabetes and preventing complications.
RELATED: Hibiscus Tea
4 Side Effects of Chamomile Tea
1. Dizziness In tea form, chamomile is considered safe. It rarely causes side effects, but if it does, it may includedizziness.
3. Allergic Reaction It’s possible to be allergic to chamomile. This is more likely if you’re alsoallergic to ragweed pollen, which shares allergy-causing proteins with chamomile. If you’re new to chamomile tea, use caution or talk to your allergist before drinking it.
4. Interactions with Blood-Thinning Drugs If you’re taking blood-thinning medications for blood clots, you might need to avoid chamomile. The plant mightincrease the risk of bleeding when used with these drugs.
Step-by-Step Brewing Instructions
For full ingredients and instructions, scroll down to see the recipe.
Loose tea is higher quality tea. The more intact the chamomile flowers, the higher the quality, so go for loose tea. If you open up chamomile tea in tea bags, you’ll find crushed tiny bits of chamomile flowers which makes a lower quality tea.
Use good quality water. I recommend using filtered water for a better tasting tea.
Steep with the lid on the teapot. Keep the teapot covered while tea is steeping to make sure the water temperature stays consistent.
Warm the teapot. All tea professionals make sure to warm the teapot before the steep so that the water stays nice and hot.
Try using a glass teapot or French press. Use a glass teapot or a glass French press to make herbal tea so you can see the pretty herbals in water.
Chamomile tea can be steeped for a long time. Herbal teas like chamomile can be steeped for a long time without getting bitter at all. For a medicinal-quality chamomile, steep it for longer. (An herbalist will steep for 30-45 minutes on the stovetop, with the heat on low.)
Store it properly. Chamomile tea can be brewed and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep it covered or airtight glass container or pitcher.
Loose chamomile tea and tea sachets should be stored in an airtight containeraway from light, odors, humidity, and heat.
Questions You May Have
How do you pronounce chamomile?
There are two ways to pronounce chamomile and both are correct. The “h” is silent so it’s pronounced as either KAM-MAH-MEEL or KAM-MUH-MILE.
What does chamomile tea taste like?
Chamomile tea has a strong, heady aroma and tastes earthy with floral and apple notes. If it’s steeped for too long it has a very medicinal taste that I’m not a fan of.
Is there caffeine?
Nope, there’s not a trace of caffeine in chamomile tea. It makes for a great nighttime drink since it’s caffeine-free.
Is chamomile tea a real tea?
All herbal teas, including chamomile, are not real or true teas. Real tea only comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, and since chamomile comes from the chamomile plant it’s not a real tea.
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If using anelectric kettlewith temperature setting, set it to 208°F. Boil a little more water than needed so that it can be used to warm up the teapot. Filtered wateris best.
Warm up teapot.
Pour hot water into a teapot halfway and swirl it around a bit. Discard the water.
Warming up the teapot is an extra step that all tea professionals take the time to do, so that when the tea steeps, the water temperature won't drop drastically.
Put chamomile tea into the teapot and add hot water. Cover teapot and steep for 5 minutes.
Strain chamomile flowers and pour hot tea into a teacup.
The more intact the chamomile flowers, the higher the quality, so go for loose tea. If you open up chamomile tea in tea bags, you’ll find crushed tiny bits of chamomile flowers which makes a lower quality tea.
Use filtered water for a better tasting tea.
Keep the teapot covered while tea is steeping to make sure the water temperature stays consistent.
All tea professionals make sure to warm the teapot before the steep so that the water stays nice and hot.
Use a glass teapot or a glass French press to make herbal tea so you can see the pretty herbals in water.
Herbal teas like chamomile can be steeped for a long time without getting bitter at all. For a medicinal-quality chamomile, steep it for longer. (An herbalist will steep for 30-45 minutes on the stovetop, with the heat on low.)
Chamomile tea can be brewed and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep it covered or airtight glass container or pitcher.
Heat water either on the stovetop or in a kettle to a boil.
Once boiled, place the chamomile flowers in a glass/teapot and cover them with the water. Allow it to steep for 4-5 minutes. Then strain the tea from the pot, sweeten (I make honey chamomile tea), and enjoy.
How long to steep chamomile tea? We recommend steeping chamomile tea for five or more minutes. Chamomile won't become bitter even when infused for more than five minutes. Our Egyptian Chamomile herbal tea is a fresh, flavorful herbal tea with a honey-like natural sweetness.
What is the right chamomile tea temperature? You should prepare chamomile tea using water that has reached a full boil (approximately 212 degrees.) This floral herbal tea is caffeine-free and goes great with a dollop of honey.
Steeping for longer may result in a stronger flavor, but steeping too long can result in a bitter and displeasing taste. In general, it is recommended to steep your tea for five minutes. You can try experimenting with different steep times to find the perfect amount for your tea tastes.
Can you Put Milk in Chamomile Tea. Yes! By using milk instead of water as your base, the flavors from the tea steep into the milk and provide that flavorful chamomile tea latte. Instead of just sipping on tea, you will be enjoying a simple evening snack since the milk provides protein and carbohydrates.
Chamomile is widely regarded as a mild tranquillizer and sleep-inducer. Sedative effects may be due to the flavonoid, apigenin that binds to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain (68). Studies in preclinical models have shown anticonvulsant and CNS depressant effects respectively.
If you want to take advantage of chamomile's sleep-inducing benefits, it's recommended that you drink your chamomile tea for about 45 minutes before going to bed. This allows your body plenty of time to metabolize the chemical compounds that make chamomile an effective sleep aid.
Side effects are uncommon and may include nausea, dizziness, and allergic reactions. Rare cases of anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction) have occurred in people who consumed or came into contact with chamomile products.
While chamomile tea has few to no side effects on most people, Kluge says those with severe seasonal allergies (particularly ragweed) may not tolerate it well, nor should you drink it while pregnant, or if you're taking blood thinners.
Drinking a cup of chamomile tea may offer the same benefits as taking an over-the-counter NSAID, such as aspirin. The herb may also relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression. A 2009 study found that people who took daily doses of chamomile extract experienced up to a 50 percent reduction in symptoms of anxiety.
Precautions about its use are advised for pregnant people, breastfeeding people, children under 12 years old, and people with liver or kidney disease. Those who have allergies to plants in the Asteraceae family should not use Roman chamomile.
This easy cold-brew chamomile tea is a refreshing herbal drink steeped overnight in the fridge. All you need is dried chamomile, lavender, water and (optionally) sweetener. I've been drinking lots of cold herbal teas lately. Sometimes I make hot herbal teas and then chill them to drink later.
To make tea, use about a teaspoon of dried chamomile flowers per cup. Place the chamomile blossoms in a tea infuser, pour boiling water over the chamomile flowers, and then steep for 5 minutes.
Blood thinning medications (anticoagulants and antiplatelets): Chamomile may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with blood-thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), and aspirin.
Bring water to a low boil and add Stash Chamomile tea bags, continuing to boil for 3 minutes. Remove tea bags and discard. Add honey to the brewed tea, stirring.
Drinking chamomile tea before or after meals can help your body absorb more nutrients from food. The bitter compounds in the plant stimulate the production of digestive enzymes that break down food in the digestive tract.
Drinking 1-2 cups of chamomile tea every day is completely safe. In fact, studies have shown that it is OK to drink up to 5 cups of chamomile tea a day. Historically, chamomile has been used to treat conditions such as: Fever.
There is no standard dose of chamomile. Studies have used between 900 milligrams to 1200. milligrams daily in capsule form. The most common form is a tea, and some people drink one to four cups daily.
A control group drank hot water for comparison. They found that peppermint enhanced and aroused both mood and cognition, helping to improve long term memory, working memory and alertness, while chamomile had a calming and sedative effect which significantly slowed memory and attention speed.
Chamomile, rooibos, and green tea can be effective in treating and refreshing sore or red eyes. The anti-inflammatory properties of these teas may help to reduce any swelling or inflammation that accompanies irritated eyes.
Part of the reason why chamomile tea helps you sleep better is because it reduces anxiety and stress. The studies on the benefits of chamomile tea for anxiety shows more promising results than those on sleep. A 2016 study found that if you drink chamomile tea long enough it has beneficial effects on anxiety.
It contains sesquiterpene lactone content which helps the liver clear its detoxification pathways. And, finally the anti-inflammatory properties of the herb further allows the body to effectively deal with the smooth functioning of the detoxification process.
Many black, green, and herbal teas contain tannins, which naturally stain teeth and gums. Green tea leaves a dull gray stain on teeth, while black tea leaves yellowish stains, but even such herbal teas as chamomile and hibiscus may cause staining and discoloration if regularly consumed over time.
In a study, Animals with nephrotoxicity (kidney toxicity that inhibits function) took chamomile, which improved kidney function. Chamomile also helps to prevent kidney damage caused by high-fat diets. All in all, chamomile appears to be beneficial to the kidneys.
You shouldn't drink chamomile tea if you're taking anticoagulant medications, such as warfarin (Coumadin). The herb contains natural blood-thinning compounds that may exacerbate the effects of these medications. If you're pregnant or breast-feeding, you shouldn't use chamomile without your doctor's approval.
Similar to hibiscus tea, chamomile tea helps to relax blood vessels with mild dilation. In addition to relaxing blood vessels, chamomile can also have a calming effect on your body. As your body relaxes, your heart rate will slow and your blood pressure will decrease.
Chamomile tea contains natural blood-thinning compounds that will risk internal haemorrhages once combined with medication medicine like decoagulant, as per a July 2012 article printed by Medical Principles.
While chamomile tea is a good beverage to drink at night, it can still stain the teeth. By adding a little milk, it will reduce issues with discoloration and help you fall asleep. Just make sure you wait about an hour to brush your teeth. Brushing too soon can hurt the enamel.
Green tea is rich in antioxidants and has analgesic properties, this is a reason why green tea is thought to be an excellent drink to soothe headaches. However, Chamomile tea is one of the most effective herbal teas available to relax the body and induce sleep.
It doesn't matter whether it's herbal, black, green or chamomile; hot or cold—tea is just about as hydrating as water. Tea is also packed with antioxidants.
The antioxidants known as flavones have been shown to lower the risk of heart disease. Regular Chamomile consumption can also help lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
"You will certainly extract more benefits the longer you steep a tea. You'll get more flavonoids, polyphenols, and catechins, but you'll also extract more caffeine and tannins, which can lead to a more bitter, unpalatable liquid the longer the leaves remain," Schwartz says.
For black and oolong teas use water around 85°C. For herbal infusions use 100°C water, and 70°C for chamomile. If you're a convert there are some excellent temperature controlled kettles available out there.
The steeping process usually takes 3-5 minutes. However, when you over steep tea beyond this time more tannins are released into your cup, so the color turns darker and the flavor becomes bitter from the extra tannins, especially when steeping black tea.
If tea isn't steeped long enough, it may taste weak and lack flavor. If over-steeped, a tea may taste bitter. This bitterness is often linked to chemical compounds within the tea called tannins.
Hot or cold — it's your choice. But if you prefer the cold version, brew the tea in hot water first and then let it cool down. This caffeine-free herbal infusion is delicious and healthier when served with honey or lemon.
Don't get me wrong, regular chamomile tea tastes good even with out sugar, sweetener or any flavor enhancers. I love to drink chamomile tea as it is even without any sweeteners or flavors, although I love to add raw honey as well and enjoy it as well when I want to flavor it.
Drinking a lot of highly concentrated chamomile tea may cause vomiting. Chamomile may cause drowsiness, so DO NOT take it and drive. Stop taking chamomile at least 2 weeks before surgery or dental work, because of the risk of bleeding.
A study published in 2012 found that a daily chamomile supplement relieved symptoms of depression. Chamomile can also help treat digestive issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, and colic. Chamomile also has anticancer properties.
Drinking a hot cup of chamomile tea with added honey is a simple way reap in the health benefits of both these wonderful natural ingredients. It's easy to make, honey helps with the taste, and beneficial for kids, adults, and elders alike.
Chamomile can irritate the eyes. Avoid using chamomile with other herbal/health supplements that can cause drowsiness. This includes 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan), California poppy, catnip, gotu kola, Jamaican dogwood, kava, melatonin, St. John's wort, skullcap (or scullcap), valerian, yerba mansa, and others.
It contains sesquiterpene lactone content which helps the liver clear its detoxification pathways. And, finally the anti-inflammatory properties of the herb further allows the body to effectively deal with the smooth functioning of the detoxification process.
Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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