We’re big fans of aromatherapy, particularly when it’s included as part of a stress-reducing bedtime routine. One of our favorites is chamomile, which we include  in our Tiara Cottons™ sachets for its beautiful scent and calming properties, which help ease us to sleep. We also love chamomile tea as a part of our bedtime routine, which is why we’ve included it in our Tea Forte tea sets. We realized these were only some of the reasons people have sought out and relied upon chamomile for millennia.

History of Chamomile

Chamomile is a sunny herb with a daisy-like flower of white petals surrounding a yellow center. It has been “used as a medicine for thousands of years dating back to the ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks.” Historically, it has been used to treat a variety of conditions, from sore throats to insomnia. “Although chamomile is popular, there are not many studies that look at whether it works to treat these conditions,” according to a Mount Sinai Health Library article. Nonetheless, its beauty, its scent, and our belief in its soothing properties has made it popular.

Benefits of Chamomile

There are two main types of this aromatic herb, German chamomile, which is the more popular and used in teas, and Roman (or English) chamomile, which is more often used in essential oils. However, it is touted for its many benefits. We appreciate the particular way in which it can appeal to the senses and make a wonderful addition to a bedtime routine.

Chamomile is “on the FDA’s list of foods that are generally recognized as safe as a spice, seasoning, or flavoring,” and “the amount of chamomile in a cup of tea is considered safe,” according to sources cited in an article in Health. However, as with all medicinal herbs, you should talk to your healthcare provider about incorporating chamomile into your routine, whether you intend to ingest it or use it topically, to address any contraindications such as pregnancy or interactions with other herbs or medications.

     Soothes with its wonderful smell

Whether it’s included in a sachet or a cup of tea, chamomile smells wonderful. It has “a mild, floral flavor with calming notes of honey.” This may be the reason chamomile has found its way into so many cosmetic products.

     Aids digestion

Among the historical uses of chamomile, it was used to treat stomach issues. One recent review of studies found chamomile reduced “vomiting in cancer patients” and “helped improve their appetite and quality of life,” while another review found its use for “nausea relief” and “gastrointestinal pain relief,” according to an article in EatingWell. It “can be particularly useful for stress-related digestive issues” due to its soothing properties, according to an article on the benefits of chamomile tea in Oprah Daily.

     Relaxes for sleep

Although there is currently no definitive study supporting the use of chamomile for treating insomnia, a cup of caffeine-free tea after dinner can be a soothing part of your bedtime routine. An article in EatingWell touting the health benefits of chamomile tea, reports a review of research finding “chamomile did, in fact, improve sleep quality and generalized anxiety disorder.” You’ll want to enjoy the tea at the beginning of your 60–90-minute wind down before bed to avoid having to get up to use the bathroom even more often during the night.

-The Team at down etc

Read more:

The Beauty and Benefits of Lavender in Your Home

Incorporating Tea into Your Bedtime Routine

Photo Credit: Photo by NastyaSensei from Pexels 

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