Chamomile - The New way to Keeping the Doctor Away

"..... Peter was not very well during the evening. His mother put him to bed, and made some chamomile tea and she gave a dose of it to Peter."
- Taken from The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

Virtually any flower, fruit or herb that can be ingested can be made up into a herbal tea. Take a browse through your local supermarket and you'll find dozens of "medicinal infusions" all boasting a variety of benefits from relaxation to exhilaration. The most common being that of chamomile ⁴.

Made famous among readers of Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit, chamomile is known as the fruity tea served at bedtime thought to have a calming and relaxing effect ². Some studies have suggested the possibility of this herb having a mild sedative effect, however further research is required ^{1, 3}. Chamomile is one of the most popular single ingredient herbal teas and for centuries it has been used traditionally for medicinal purposes ⁵.

Prepared with dried flowers from a plant called Matricaria chamomilla L, chamomile is known to have a moderate amount of antioxidant effect while being naturally caffeine-free⁵.

Chamomile has been used to treat inflammation, skin conditions and is a popular ingredient in topical health and beauty products ². Recent research suggests that chamomile plant extract may help prevent the development of complications in people with diabetes ⁴. It is thought to work by reducing blood sugar levels and blocking the activity of enzymes associated with diabetes symptoms. These results may suggest that daily consumption of chamomile tea with meals along with other factors may aid in the prevention of hyperglycemia and complications of diabetes⁴.

Who would have thought that sitting down to a meal, knife and fork in one hand, cup of chamomile in the other may be the new way to keeping the doctor away!