Chamomile

For those that have trouble sleeping, chamomile tea (sometimes written as camomile tea) is a wonderful, relaxing herbal tea that can bring on sleep without the need of prescription medications. The tea can be purchased in pre-packaged blends from a herbal or health food store, or leaves of chamomile, bulk bins or packaged, can be purchased at stores or online. The benefits of chamomile tea include relaxing anxiety, decreasing fever and reducing stress. Chamomile tea health benefits were first discovered by the ancient Egyptians, although it is now grown throughout most of the world.

Camomile is a very hardy annual plant that has a flower similar to that of a daisy when it is blooming. The chamomile flowers are what is used to brew the relaxing tea, and the better quality the flowers are when dried the more effective the tea is reported to be. Chamomile extract can also be added to teas, although this is not as common. Chamomile is not difficult to harvest on your own, with many websites that give instructions on how to grow chamomile. Basically the chamomile plant needs direct sunlight and frequent watering without extensive periods of the roots being submerged in water. Well drained soils are best for growing chamomile.

There are several different combinations of chamomile teas, and they include chai tea chamomile, which combines the wonderful spicy flavor of chai tea with the soothing aspects of chamomile, great for a refreshing and relaxing break in a busy day. Since chamomile can also be used for travel sickness or nausea, it is excellent for both adults and children during times of travel or stress. Lavender and chamomile combined together are often the most frequently used herbal treatment for nausea and digestive disorders, and they have virtually no side effects, making them idea for those that don't want to have to worry about interactions or possible complications with other medications or herbal treatments.

Since chamomile herb tea is effective for both relaxing and controlling nausea it is often used by pregnant women to help in controlling morning sickness. At this time drinking chamomile tea while pregnant is generally considered as safe, with no indications that it is harmful or problematic to either mother or child. As with any herbal medicine it is always best to speak directly to your physician for more detailed and complete information.