Nov 09 2008
Lower Blood Sugar with Chamomile Tea
Studies have been done in both Japan and the United Kingdom to see if the use of chamomile tea could benefit diabetics. As an alternative treatment to conventional medicine, chamomile (or Manzanilla) has been used for centuries to improve such conditions as colds, stress and menstrual cramps as well as a sleep aid. And now it is shown to lower blood sugar (blood glucose) levels. The theory that this substance might benefit individuals with diabetes has been pondered by scientists for some time. Now the studies have been done with the results printed in the September 2008 issue of ACS Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry.
In the recent study, scientists fed diabetic rats chamomile extract for 21 days. They compared the results with a control group of rats consuming a regular diet. The rats who ate the chamomile extract showed a marked improvement with their blood glucose levels (blood sugar) as opposed to the control group. Not only that, but the test rats showed lower levels of ALR2 enzymes and orbital. When these two chemicals are at a high level in the body there is an association with diabetic complications such as vision loss, nerve and kidney damage.
It is suggested that diabetics that drink chamomile tea with their meals daily will most likely experience lower blood sugar levels as well as help with fighting other diabetic complications. The chamomile that was used in the study was German chamomile or Manzanilla.
I love Chamomile tea, maybe because as a Greek I was brought up with it as part of our daily diet.