- Aug 18, 2017
- Goodwyn Tea
- 0 comments
With people becoming more health conscious, healthy beverages like green, tea, herbal tea etc. have literally made it to the retail aisles like never before. One such healthy herbal infusion that can be found in many households, especially that have diabetic and renal patients, is Chamomile Tea.
So, what is chamomile? To begin with, chamomile is a plant with flowers resembling daisies. Apart from being brewed as a concoction, it is also associated with curing a number of health conditions and lifestyle diseases.
What Egyptians Did With Chamomile?
As far as the history of chamomile is concerned, it dates way back in the ancient Egypt, where it was used as a remedy for fever (ague). In the crushed form it was used as a beauty product and its essence was one of the main constituents of embalming oils used for preserving the bodies of the deceased Egyptian rulers.
How The Greeks And Romans Used This Flower?
Chamomile has derived its name from Chamomaela, which according to ancient Greece means ‘ground apple’. Also, Pliny the Elder, a renowned Roman author and naturalist of his time, found similarity between apple blossom and the smell of chamomile flower. Probably, his mention could be one of the very reasons why the people of the ancient era used this term. Also, chamomile is used as a medicinal herb and as a flavor in drinks and incenses.
What was the take of Spanish and Medieval people on chamomile?
The Spanish called chamomile flower ‘manzanilla’, which means ‘little apple’ and it has been used to give flavor to a sherry, as well. The Norsemen used it in shampoos. They believed that it adds sheen to the entwined tresses.
In the Medieval period, the petals of the chamomile flowers were scattered all over at gatherings and get-togethers to infuse the air with its pleasant aroma. According to several monks and their studies, 1 in every 10, 000 chamomile plants, scientifically known as Anthemis nobilis, has unique double-headed blossoms. Such unique plants were supposed to have a mild flavor. Although the seeds of such plants were sterile, they cloned them to use as a medicinal herb and in herbal infusions.
The variants and the world of benefits
Roman and German, these are two of the main varieties of chamomile. Both these variants are famous for their antioxidant content. And, needless to mention, but these come with a world of health benefits. Let’s take a look at them –
- It helps in getting better sleep.
- It soothes the stomach.
- It relieves menstrual cramps.
- It helps with diabetes management.
- It also has anti-cancer properties.
- It helps in fighting the cold.