A common and popular herbal remedy may be able to help diabetics control their blood sugar and prevent serious complications, according to a study conducted by researchers from Aberystwyth University in Wales and the University of Toyama in Japan, and published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

"These results clearly suggested that daily consumption of chamomile tea with meals could contribute to the prevention of the progress of hyperglycemia and diabetic complications", the researchers wrote.

Researchers fed rats with Type 2 diabetes a chamomile-mimicking extract every day for three weeks, and observed a subsequent 25 percent drop in the animals' blood sugar levels. Based on these findings, the researchers believe that taking chamomile tea with meals might lead to similar benefits in humans.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body loses sensitivity to the sugar-regulating hormone insulin, leading to a dangerous rise in blood sugar levels. Over time, elevated blood sugar can destroy bodily tissues, leading to complications like diabetic neuropathy, blindness, and damage to the kidneys or circulatory system.

The researchers found that chamomile appeared to reduce the activity of an enzyme called aldose reductase, which plays an important role in sugar metabolism. Aldose reductase helps turn glucose into sorbitol, a different sugar. In diabetics, the buildup of sorbitol has been directly linked to neuropathy and blindness, as this sugar moves across cell membranes less freely than glucose and thus has a tendency to build up in nerve and eye tissue.

Chamomile, also known as manzanilla, has long been used as a home remedy to reduce stress, improve sleep, and alleviate complaints from colds to digestive upset to menstrual cramps. It is believed to contain more antioxidants than nearly any other natural dietary source.

"It is quite fascinating", lead researcher Robert Nash said. "It seems to be doing a lot of different things all at once".

Article Source: newsfood.com

A common and popular herbal remedy may be able to help diabetics control their blood sugar and prevent serious complications, according to a study conducted by researchers from Aberystwyth University in Wales and the University of Toyama in Japan, and published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

"These results clearly suggested that daily consumption of chamomile tea with meals could contribute to the prevention of the progress of hyperglycemia and diabetic complications", the researchers wrote.

Researchers fed rats with Type 2 diabetes a chamomile-mimicking extract every day for three weeks, and observed a subsequent 25 percent drop in the animals' blood sugar levels. Based on these findings, the researchers believe that taking chamomile tea with meals might lead to similar benefits in humans.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body loses sensitivity to the sugar-regulating hormone insulin, leading to a dangerous rise in blood sugar levels. Over time, elevated blood sugar can destroy bodily tissues, leading to complications like diabetic neuropathy, blindness, and damage to the kidneys or circulatory system.

The researchers found that chamomile appeared to reduce the activity of an enzyme called aldose reductase, which plays an important role in sugar metabolism. Aldose reductase helps turn glucose into sorbitol, a different sugar. In diabetics, the buildup of sorbitol has been directly linked to neuropathy and blindness, as this sugar moves across cell membranes less freely than glucose and thus has a tendency to build up in nerve and eye tissue.

Chamomile, also known as manzanilla, has long been used as a home remedy to reduce stress, improve sleep, and alleviate complaints from colds to digestive upset to menstrual cramps. It is believed to contain more antioxidants than nearly any other natural dietary source.

"It is quite fascinating", lead researcher Robert Nash said. "It seems to be doing a lot of different things all at once".

Article Source: RuggedElegantMovie

Chamomile tea has been used as a healing drink for centuries so it’s no wonder that it is estimated that over 1 million cups are ingested every day. The medicinal properties of this tea are wide and many, but perhaps the best known is it’s ability to help you relax. Many people like to drink it before bedtime as a sleep inducer and one herbal medicine guide claims that drinking chamomile tea before bed will stop nightmares.
Chamomile tea can be purchased from almost any health food or grocery store. You can make your own by pouring one cup of boiling water over four or five fresh flower heads. Let the tea steep for 5 minutes and strain.

Some natural medicine books recommend using chamomile tea for children and the does should be half of the adult dose. Make sure you let your childs doctor know before you give him chamomile tea.

Although this tea is fairly safe, some can have severe allergic reactions. If you suffer allergies such as ragweed or hayfever, it might be best to avoid drinking chamomile tea. People with Asthma should drink chamomile tea with caution. Although it is said chamomile tea can help relieve the pain of labor, it is not advisable to drink a lot of it during pregnancy as it may cause uterine contractions.

 
Healing Uses Of Chamomile Tea

- Add several cups chamomile tea, to a cool bath and have a relaxing soak.

- Use chamomile tea to relieve anxiety or put a handful of chamomile flowers in a bowl of hot water and inhale the scent.

- Use a poultice of cool chamomile tea for burns.

- To relieve insomnia, drink a cup of chamomile tea at bedtime

- Drink a cup of hot chamomile tea to soothe an upset stomach.

- Add chamomile oil or tea to a hot bath to help soothe dry skin.

- Use chamomile tea and powdered milk as an exfoliating paste for sensitive skin.

- Cooled chamomile tea can be made into a compress to soothe irritated and strained eyes and is reputed to help treat conjunctivitis.

- Chamomile is an anti-fungal, therefore a tea can help treat fungal infections by dipping into a cotton ball and applying to the area.

- Chamomile tea is also said to help relieve menstrual cramps in women due to it’s ability of relaxing the uterus.

Chamomile tea has been a common beverage for eons and its safety can be regarded as well proven. The calming effects of this tea are rather mild, so they may not be experienced by everyone.

Article written by Lee Dobbins of Herbs and Home Remedies - where you can learn more about herbs and natural healing. To view the original post, click here.