Chamomile Tea May Have Medicinal Value
(HealthDayNews, 1/7/05)

Elaine Holmes, a chemist with the Imperial College London, and colleagues, had 14 subjects each drink five cups of German chamomile (manzanilla) tea every day for two weeks. Tests of daily urine samples, taken before, during and after the study revealed that drinking the tea was associated with increased urinary levels of glycine, a nerve and muscle relaxant, and hippurate, a breakdown product of phenolics (which are linked with antibacterial activity). The investigators noted that hippurate and glycine levels remained high for up to two weeks after the volunteers had stopped drinking the tea. The results of this study explain why chamomile tea, long considered a remedy for many common ailments, may be helpful for conditions like menstrual cramps, colds and stress. . Holmes theorizes that the chamomile may altering gut microflora, and thereby confer its beneficial effects.

(Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, January 2005)