CHAMOMILE tea

What is chamomile? Chamomile has been used as a traditional medicine for thousands of years to calm anxiety and settle stomachs. In the U.S., chamomile is best known as an ingredient in herbal tea. Why do people take chamomile? Chamomile is considered a safe plant and has been used in many cultures for stomach ailments and as a mild sedative. Some studies, primarily using combinations of chamomile with other plants, show it may have health benefits. However, as with any combination product, it is hard to say that a benefit comes from any one plant. How much chamomile should you take? There is no standard dose of chamomile. Studies have used between 400 milligrams to 1,600 milligrams daily in capsule form. The most common form is a tea, and some people drink one to four cups daily. To make chamomile tea, steep a chamomile tea bag or chamomile flowers in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes in a mug covered with a saucer. Then, drink the infusion when it has cooled to the point it is safe to drink. Ask your doctor for other advice. Can you get chamomile naturally from foods? Chamomile flowers are a common ingredient in teas. They're also used as a flavoring in other foods and drinks. Can chamomile stop cancer? A cup of camomile tea could help ward off cancer, researchers say. The tea contains a chemical, apigenin, which takes away some of the ‘superpowers’ of cancer cells. Scientists at Ohio State University found apigenin can block the ability of breast cancer cells to live far longer than normal cells, halting their spread and making them more sensitive to drug therapy. Camomile tea, parsley and celery are the most abundant sources of apigenin but it is also found in many fruit and vegetables common in a Mediterranean diet.