Chamomile is an herb that has been proven to relieve stress, reduce anxiety, and cause people to feel sleepy. It is most commonly consumed in the form of chamomile tea, however, it’s actually much more beneficial when consumed in larger dosages.
Chamomile contains a high amount of Glycine, which is a nerve relaxant. That’s why when people drink chamomile tea, they become calm and sleepy. However, supplementing with chamomile directly provides your body with a significantly higher amount of Glycine.
Chamomile Tea Benefits
Chamomile tea benefits people with anxiety or sleep disorders more than anyone else due to its high concentration of the nerve relaxant known as Glycine. While drinking chamomile tea can help almost anyone in the world relax and improve their sleep cycle, the benefits of using chamomile are definitely more significant for those who suffer from insomnia and/or general anxiety disorders.
The active ingredient Glycine is almost like a natural alternative to prescription drugs like Xanax. Obviously, it’s not going to be as strong as something like Xanax, but the concept of how it works is very similar. Both substances calm your nerves, and relax the body and mind. However, since chamomile tea is natural, you don’t risk developing a dependency on it like you do when using prescription drugs.
Here is a list of the primary chamomile tea benefits:
- Relaxation inducement
- Anxiety relief
- Insomnia treatment
- Increases sense of calm and wellbeing
- Helps you fall asleep at night
Chamomile Tea Vs. Chamomile Supplements
The first and most significant difference between drinking chamomile tea and taking a chamomile supplement is that chamomile supplements typically contain much higher dosages of chamomile, and therefore also contain much more Glycine. In other words, chamomile supplements are much more potent than chamomile tea.
Another benefit of using a chamomile based supplement as opposed to drinking chamomile tea is a simple fact that you don’t have to drink the tea. A lot of people want to drink chamomile tea for the benefits but do not like the taste. Using encapsulated chamomile eliminates that problem and is simply much easier.
It comes down to this…would you rather drink a cup of chamomile tea and get a small dosage of the active ingredient, or simply pop a capsule and get a much more potent dosage?
Chamomile Side Effects
Since chamomile is entirely natural, you really don’t have anything to worry about when it comes to side effects. Typically, prescription drugs will almost always cause side effects, but natural alternatives like chamomile almost never cause side effects.
In some rare cases, chamomile side effects may include drowsiness or vomiting. In most cases where people experience side effects, it’s simply because they are allergic to chamomile. If you don’t have an allergy to chamomile, you shouldn’t experience any side effects. Just make sure you don’t use it during the day or you could end up getting too tired too early.
Conclusion: Should You Use Chamomile For Sleep?
Chamomile is one of the best things you can try at night if you’re someone who typically has trouble falling asleep. It can also be great for people who tend to experience high levels of anxiety at night.
Having a cup of chamomile tea can help you relax, but if you want to really make the most of chamomile use and maximize the benefits, the best option is to use a chamomile supplement.
I’m not just a supplement analyst. I’m an extremely qualified one! I am a Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC) and actually received my certification directly from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. I am also a Nutrition & Wellness Consultant, certified by the American Fitness Professionals Association (AFPA).