Why Try Chamomile Tea for Sleep?

The chamomile flower, usually in the form of tea, has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties. While it’s utilized for a variety of different remedies, the most common usage is a sleep aid. But why does chamomile help with sleep? What makes this plant that looks similar to a daisy so helpful that it has been used for hundreds of years?

7 Reasons to Try Chamomile Tea for Sleep

1. Probably the biggest reason that chamomile tea is used as a sleep aid is the fact that the chamomile flower that is used in chamomile tea contains apigenin, a flavonoid that binds to receptors in the brain that can promote tiredness and reduce insomnia. This can help you not only get to sleep faster but stay asleep all night long.
2. Another one of the well-known benefits of chamomile tea is that it is known to help reduce anxiety. Because chamomile is a natural sedative, it can help slow down spiraling and racing thoughts.
3. If you are having trouble sleeping it is important to switch to caffeine-free tea in the afternoon. Not all caffeine-free teas are created equal though, some are naturally caffeine-free and some have the caffeine chemically removed from the tea, which can still leave traces of caffeine. Chamomile tea is naturally caffeine-free with a light, subtly sweet flavor that makes the perfect nighttime tea.
4. Have you ever tried essential oils, like lavender, in a diffuser to help you relax? Well, the scent of chamomile can also promote relaxation. Much like essential oils, the aroma and scent of a freshly brewed cup of tea with chamomile in it, like The Mantis Touch, can create an unwinding and calming environment that promotes relaxation.
5. One of the worst things is eating a big meal and feeling bloated when you go to bed. Not only can chamomile tea help aid in relaxation but it also helps digestion. Chamomile contains the bitter compounds sesquiterpene lactones that can trigger the pancreas to produce digestive enzymes.
6. Studies have shown that drinking chamomile tea on a regular basis may help increase both serotonin and melatonin levels. So, instead of reaching for a melatonin supplement, which can easily become a dependency as the body will stop producing it, try reaching for a cup of tea with chamomile in it like The Mantis Touch or The Nightstick.
7. You sleep better when your mind as well as your body are at ease. Chamomile is a natural antispasmodic which means it can help relax muscles and relieve tension. This can help reduce pain associated with period cramps, anxious body tension, and everyday stressors manifesting in the body.

Turn Your Existing Tea Into a Bedtime Ritual

While it can be great to enjoy a nice cup of chamomile tea for sleep, that isn’t the only way to get the medicinal benefits. Since chamomile has such a light flavor profile it can be an easy addition to your favorite caffeine-free tea, like Gnome Saliva. When you are making your caffeine-free tea, just add a spoonful of chamomile to your tea strainer to get all those wonderful relaxing benefits of the chamomile flower. You can also give The Mantis Touch or The Nightstick a try. They contain chamomile and additional sleep-promoting herbs like valerian root, passionflower, and lemon balm. All of these combined make for an incredibly restful night.