Chamomile has been shown to decrease inflammation surrounding the kidney. The study involved fourteen volunteers (seven women and seven men) who each drank five cups of the herbal tea daily for two consecutive weeks. Daily urine samples were taken and tested throughout the study, both before and after drinking chamomile tea. Researchers found that drinking the tea was associated with a significant increase in urinary levels of hippurate, a breakdown product of certain plant-based compounds known as phenolics, some of which have been associated with increased antibacterial activity. This could help explain why the tea appears to boost the immune system and fight infections associated with colds, according to the researchers.
Chamomile has several reported uses:
• Diminishes adhesions
• Muscle spasm
Drinking chamomile tea was associated with an increase in urinary levels of glycine, an amino acid that has been shown to relieve muscle spasms.
• PMS
Chamomile is helpful in relieving menstrual cramps possibly by relaxing the uterus, (say researchers). Glycine is known to act as a nerve relaxant, which may also explain why the tea seems to act as a mild sedative. Glycine supplements are sold in stores for that purpose. Chamomile is high in calcium.
• Stress, irritability, flagging appetite
It relieves stress,
irritability, flagging appetite, nausea and upset stomach.
• Eye puffiness
Two used tea bags placed overnight in the refrigerator then placed over closed eyes, can diminish morning eye puffiness.
• Normalizes kidney functioning
Animal studies have shown that Chamomile volatile oil when
administered orally to rabbits with impaired kidney function, normalized
functioning.
• Antihistaminic effect
The flavonoid apigenin had shown
antihistaminic effects in animal studies.
•Stimulates immune system
Chamomile stimulates the immune system's infection
fighting white blood cells (macrophages and B-lymphocytes). It is a very popular herbal product in Germany for wound care.
• Heal burns
The essential
oil was found to reduce the time required to heal burns.
• Diminishes yeast infections
The herb kills
yeast fungi that causes vaginal infections
• Impairs polio
Chamomile impairs the replication of polio virus.
• Lessens adhesions Found in chamomile apigenin, a flavonoid, effectively blocks intercellular adhesion. Some of us have not adhesions form. One cyst rupture before liver resection surgery. I was told that there were no adhesions. I do drink chamomile tea in the evening time. I find it calms me. It is high in calcium and gives a restful night's sleep. I also take saffron tea. I had previously read that chamomile reduces inflammation around the kidneys. I have a book called the PDR of herbs. It says about chamomile:
"Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Chamazulene exerts anti-inflammatory effects through inhibition of leukotriene B4 formation (Safayhi, 1994). The en-yne dicycloether inhibits degranulation of mast cells to prevent histamine release (Miller, 1996). Apigenin, a flavonoid, effectively blocks intercellular adhesion molecule-1 upregulation and leukocyte adhesion in response to cytokines. This activity is through a mechanism unrelated to free radical scavenging or leukocyte formation (Panes, 1996). "
Saffron or crocetin - seems to lessen adhesions of leukocytes to endothelial cells.We are not sure if either of these herbs helped prevent adhesions. We have experienced that drinking these two as a tea, lessens liver cyst pains. Perhaps this translates into diminished adhesions?