Have you ever been through days where you are desperately on a lookout to get yourself some sleep? Yes, I’ve been through them. And you know what? There is something about stress that gets to me; when I’m exhausted my body seems to forget how to fall asleep. However, much I want to go to sleep and pinch my eyes shut or cuddle up in the softness of my pillow; all go in vain. So, I made a promise to myself that I will search for an alternative to my dreaded sleepless nights. Thus, I began my voyage to de-stress and relax. Consequently, I had to find myself a relaxant, but I was reluctant to use any of those conventional medicines that one sees in a doctor’s clinic. Halt, I’m a person for the alternative medicine, always on a lookout for a body-friendly way to recover myself without being harmed. Therefore, a lot of research, web-based reading and friend talk led me to the beautiful chamomile tea.
What is chamomile tea?
Chamomile tea gets its name from the Roman Chamomile plant or mother’s daisy, mostly found in Europe, North America and Argentina. India has witnessed the cultivation of this plant in the city of Lucknow for about 200 years. This plant made a foray in Punjab about 300 years ago during the Mughal period. These dried chamomile flowers are loaded with antioxidants and are well known for their sleep aiding properties. The chamomile plant is safe for consumption and has been used in many cultures across the world as a mild sedative and to treat stomach ailments. People commonly use its flowers in teas. Moreover, the Anglo-Saxons believe this herb to be 1 of 9 sacred herbs given to humans by the lord.
Chamomile tea and me
Chamomile not only aids digestion but can also be used to control nausea. That is why, I recommend keeping this tea at home. And that’s what I do. There is no need to take medicine. Instead, I treat these simple conditions of bloating and vomiting with my favorite Pure Chamomile Tea, whereas I keep Chamomile Mint or Sweet Dreams Tea for my family as they don’t like the floral fragrance of the chamomile flower. But for me, the sweet flowery hint of aroma brought about by Ono Tea’s Pure Chamomile Tea serves as the best relaxant when the darkness of night falls.
My day usually ends with the dinner dishes and that is the time when I love to grab a cup of tea, for my hubby and myself; resting on our favorite recliners. Sipping down on our ideal blend and talking about our day’s ups and downs, is so relaxing. It seems to remove all the knots that have formed throughout my muscles. The warm cup of water and the sweet scent of chamomile brings out a magical effect that results in loosening the tension. The tea sets the note for serene tranquility, leading to a beautiful and relaxing sleep mode. Research seconds this fact too. In fact, a study published in PubMed Central, National Centre for Biotechnology Information (PMC, NCBI) states that chamomile is commonly used in the form of an aqueous extract to reduce anxiety, treat hysteria, nightmares, insomnia and other sleep problems.
The delicious chamomile tea latte
Try this personal favorite – hot but soothing chamomile tea latte. At night, when it’s quiet and dark, that’s the perfect time to heat some milk and enjoy this fantastic drink. I prefer to brew the chamomile tea right in the milk and then add dried lavender buds that release their fragrance as the tea steeps. Lavender enables relaxation naturally, especially at bedtime. We all know that warm milk acts as a sleep inducer and chamomile takes it a step further.
A sip of this dreamy latte will help you forget all your troubles of the day, if only for a few moments. I’ve grown a sort of addiction for this bedtime drink. All it needs is a dollop of honey for sweetness, which goes very nicely with it.
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Yield: 2 cups
Ingredients
- Milk: 2 cups (regular or non-dairy)
- Dried chamomile buds: 2 to 3 tsp heaped
- Raw honey or maple syrup: 1 to 2 Tsp
- Pure Vanilla extract: ¼ Tsp (if desired)
Preparations:
- Heat the milk until it is hot. Ensure it is not boiling.
- Add chamomile tea to the hot milk and allow the drink to steep for about 5 minutes.
- With the help of our faithful strainer, strain the beautiful liquid into your favorite cup.
- Finally, refresh with raw honey or Maple syrup and add vanilla extract, if desired.
There you go!! Your chamomile tea latte is ready to drink. And, remember we can always play around with flavours as per our likeness. It may be a hint of cinnamon or a dash of lavender; trying to reveal untold stories. To further glamourise my tea, I love to froth the hot milk with the help of a frother and voilà! The outcome is just beautiful.
Benefits associated with chamomile tea
Although I’m a black tea lover, chamomile tea is the way to go when I’m overworked and in a mood for a spa. It has the most soothing effects on my already weary nerves. Chamomile tea helps in falling fast asleep and waking up all refreshed the next morning. Additionally, it relieves the body and mind from the daily anxiety that we suffer living in a busy urban environment.
To sum up, chamomile tea is not an actual tea. Instead, it is an herbal form. It tastes more like a crisp apple and has a very light and airy feel to it. To enjoy the best flavour and aroma, one must brew the dried chamomile flowers for not more than 3 to 4 minutes especially when consuming only with water, without milk or honey. Hot or cold, with lemon, cinnamon, honey or lavender; as a latte with frothed milk or just with water, chamomile tea has immense benefits. And in the present-day sleep-deprived lives, who doesn’t need a beautiful, light, airy cup of tea to go down those sweet dream lanes that they always used to visit?
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This article is one in a series of articles related to chamomile tea, written by Mrs. Zehra Zain, a creative writer and a foodie. She writes unique, research-driven content to enhance the reader’s perception of food, nutrition, and a healthy lifestyle. Her innovative writings are an expression of her affair with food. She lives in Dubai with” the hubby”, “the kids” and “the four-wheeler”.
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the writer, and not to the brand Ono Teas or other group or individual.
Ono Teas handcrafts full leaf teas suiting every moment you want to cherish, whether it is solitude or conversations with friends or just a leisurely health drink to counter lifestyle disorders. You can shop from our range of green teas, black teas, blends or tisanes based on the moment you want to celebrate.
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References/Additional Reading
Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.): An overview
Chamomile Tea: New Evidence Supports Health Benefits
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