Chamomile For Menstrual Pain And Other Health Problems

Chamomile is a safe plant. It has been used as a traditional medicine for thousands of years to ease upset stomach, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting.

Best known as an ingredient in herbal tea, chamomile flowers are also used as a flavoring in foods and drinks. It contains chemicals called flavonoids, a type of nutrient present in many plants, and play a significant role in chamomile’s medicinal effects.

To make chamomile tea, one should infuse its dried flowers into hot water. The tea has an earthy, somewhat sweet taste and can be a caffeine-free alternative to black or green tea.

Chamomile Versus Menstrual Pain

Chamomile is known to be used in various forms of its preparations. The most common form is the tea which has been linked to reduced severity of menstrual cramps. The tea possesses anti-spasmodic properties, which can relieve the painful cramps associated with the menstrual periods. It works by relaxing the uterus and decreasing the production of prostaglandins (hormone-like substances that cause inflammation and pain) (1).

Moreover, the antioxidants present in chamomile tea also help calm abdominal discomfort, ease menstrual cramps, and lessen PMS mood swings. Aside from these, the tea also acts as a hormone balancer, which will help lead to more regular cycles (2).

In a study, experts have found that drinking chamomile tea for a month could reduce the pain originated from primary dysmenorrhea as well as lower the anxiety and distress levels associated with period pain (3).

Other Health Benefits

May improve quality of sleep – It has apigenin, an antioxidant that binds to certain receptors in the brain that may promote sleepiness and reduce insomnia, or the chronic inability to sleep (4).

Slowing or preventing osteoporosis – Researchers found that chamomile tea might have anti-estrogenic effects and can also help promote bone density (5).

May help with blood sugar control – A study involving 64 diabetic people showed that consuming chamomile tea daily with meals for eight weeks can significantly lower average blood sugar levels as compared to those who consumed water (6).

May help with digestive issues – Chamomile may help reduce smooth muscle spasms in the gut, which may benefit those with inflammatory digestive issues such as diverticulitis and esophageal reflux. Moreover, it can also offer preventive measures against a fairly common bacteria known as H. Pylori (or Helicobacter Pylori) which can contribute to stomach ulcers (7).