We all know that too much tea and coffee is not good for us, so how about switching to caffeine free, calming chamomile tea? You will soon notice how lovely and calm you feel, and it has many other wonderful benefits, as it is also good for the skin.
Chamomile is generally known as a soothing calming herbal tea. I remember being given it as a child by my grandmother as a cure for stomachache. Well she was a wise old bird as science now confirms the fact that chamomile does indeed have a calming effect on the stomach. When Peter Rabbit’s mother put him to bed to recover from being chased out of Mc Greggor's garden she put him to bed with some chamomile tea to calm him down and send him to sleep. Scientists have since confirmed the wisdom of the Victorian author Beatrix Potter. Chamomile tea has been seen as a medicinal cure for hundreds of years but now UK research has found evidence that drinking chamomile tea has a real wide range of benefits as described in the Journal of Agricultural and Food and Chemistry.
What is camomile? Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is a pretty flower that looks much like a daisy. The tea is made from fresh or dried flower heads. Sometimes it is called the soothing plant and it has been used traditionally to calm nerves and ease stomach complaints. The herb is made into a tea and has a pleasing aroma. The name chamomile comes from the Greek kamai melon, which translated means ground apple.
Common uses of chamomile: Calms digestive upsets, relieves stomach pain, relaxes the nerves, may help aid in sleep, promotes a general feeling of relaxation, may help heal mouth sores and ease menstrual cramps.
Actions: Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, sedative, relaxant and anti-allergenic.
Typical preparation: As an infusion taken as a tea. Pour hot water over a chamomile tea bag or 1 teaspoon of dried flowers and brew for 5 minutes. I find it useful to drink in the afternoon when I am working and want a hot drink but want to limit my caffeine intake; it also makes me feel relaxed for the evening after a hard day.
Little known fact: Some people have managed to grow their own chamomile in the garden by simply tearing open a tea bag and sprinkling the contents on to the soil.
Healthy recipe of the week
Lentil Soup
Ingredients
6 cups chicken or veggie stock
1 lb. red or green lentils
1 tablespoon mince garlic
1 large potato chopped
1 large onion chopped
3 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon cumin
½ cup chopped coriander
¾ cup lemon juice – or more to taste
Method
Put stock, chopped potato, and lentils in a large pot and bring to boil. Cover and reduce heat to simmer for 20 minutes. Heat oil and cook garlic and onion until they are clear. Stir in onion and oil into mixture and add spices. Continue simmering until lentils are soft. Serve warm. Some people like to puree red lentils in a blender and make it a cream soup. Stir in lemon juice and coriander.
Ask Alva
I am trying to lose weight this summer by cutting out and down on fat, cheese, butter and dairy products in my diet. I drink skimmed milk in my tea about four times a day, but can you tell me if I am getting sufficient calcium?
— Amal
Both men and women need at least 700 mg of calcium a day, and it sounds as though you are only getting around 140 mg, so you need more. Half of all women do not get sufficient calcium in their diet and I am concerned about the fact that you are putting yourself on a dairy free diet, as 60 percent of all calcium in the average diet comes from dairy food. You could put yourself at risk from osteoporosis in later life if you continue this diet for a long period. Milk, yogurt, and cheese are all excellent sources of calcium. One glass of milk can supply 300 mg.
— Alva
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Healthlines: A cup of chamomile tea
