The chamomile, whose scientific name is Matricaria chamomilla, is a plant commonly used for making the well known infusion. It is often used for its relaxing and calming properties, which can also promote sleep. But it can also bring several others benefits, as better explained in the course of this article.
The benefits of chamomile
L’chamomile infusion can offer the following benefits:
- Hydrate the body: if drunk at any time during the day, it has the benefit of considerably hydrating. Hydration is essential for the proper functioning of the body.
- Lose weight: chamomile is useful for weight loss because if drunk before meals it helps you feel fuller, and consequently reduces the sense of hunger.
- Improve digestion: this is possible if it is drunk shortly after meals, thanks to the flavonoids of which it is rich.
- Reduce intestinal gas.
- Relieve stomach pain.
- Eliminate anxiety, stress and nervousness: thanks to its calming effect, and the fact that it is a mild sedative, it is very useful in all cases of stress, anxiety and nervousness, since it relaxes a lot.
- Promote sleep: if taken shortly before going to sleep, it helps you fall asleep and improve sleep quality.
How to prepare a good chamomile tea
Chamomile tea can be prepared in two different ways: through i dried flowers or through the sachets sold in supermarkets and grocery stores.
Here’s how to proceed for make a good infusion with the sachets:
- For each sachet to use, add 200ml of water to a saucepan or saucepan.
- Put the saucepan or saucepan with water on the stove.
- As soon as the water begins to make small bubbles, turn off the heat and insert the sachets.
- Leave to infuse for about 3 minutes.
- Squeeze the sachets with a teaspoon, and extract them.
If you want it instead prepare with dried flowers, here’s how to do it (recipe for two people):
- Fill a saucepan with water, in the quantity of two generous cups.
- Put the saucepan on the stove, and turn off when the water forms the first bubbles.
- Add two tablespoons of dried chamomile flowers, and leave to infuse for 5-7 minutes.
- Strain, and pour the liquid into two cups.
Grow chamomile at home and dry the flowers: here’s how
To prepare chamomile tea, it is possible grow the main ingredient directly on their own, in order to be sure that it is organic and therefore healthier.
Chamomile can in fact be grown without problems even at home, by growing it in a pot. Among other things, it is a plant that can easily grow even in the poorest soils.
His semi they plant around February or March, and his flowers can be collected in the late spring or summer.
Once collected they can be done dry outdoors, putting them in the shade. When the process ends, they should be introduced in glass containers by the hermetic seal (for example, the large jar of empty and clean Nutella is excellent from this point of view).
These containers must be stored at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and humidity. By doing so, it will be possible to open them to take some flowers if necessary in order to make a good and healthy infusion.
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