Lifestyle modifications and herbal remedies appear to be very effective in the management of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) but are there any benefits to drinking chamomile tea? That’s what you’ll find out in this article based on the latest evidence and my personal experience.
I’ll explain the effects of chamomile tea in relation to PCOS (both positive and negative) but I’ll also give you some practical tips on how to best choose and use chamomile tea products to gain the most benefits.
If you’d like to learn more about other natural strategies to successfully manage PCOS, I highly suggest you check out my previous article ‘How To Treat PCOS Naturally (Science-Based Guidelines)’.
What is chamomile tea?
Chamomile tea is one of the most popular herbal teas that is consumed in large quantities around the world. It is made from dried flowers of the Chamomile plant and therefore it’s naturally caffeine-free. It has a mild earthy flavor with a slightly sweet undertone.
Chamomile tea has been used for centuries as a herbal remedy and it’s associated with multiple health benefits. For women with PCOS, this herb may also play an important role in restoring their hormonal balance. And here is why.
Benefits of chamomile tea for PCOS:
- Improved sleep & stress management
- Decreased androgens
- Improved fertility
- Cardiovascular health support
- Blood sugar management
✓ Improved sleep & stress management
Chamomile tea is probably best known for its calming and relaxing effects which is why it’s so often recommended for a good night’s sleep. The good news is that there is actually some evidence supporting this claim.
In a few studies, the consumption of chamomile tea or chamomile extract indeed improved the quality of sleep and reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression amongst the participants.
Those effects are believed to be due to the presence of apigenin which is a type of antioxidant found in chamomile. Apigenin appears to affect certain brain receptors that are involved in promoting sleepiness and reducing insomnia.
Therefore, drinking chamomile tea may help you destress before bed, fall asleep faster and reduce the number of night awakenings. Since a large proportion of women with PCOS suffer from sleeping problems and chronic stress, chamomile tea may be particularly beneficial for those individuals.
High-quality sleep is also one of the key aspects in the management of PCOS as sleep is extremely important for hormone regulation, blood sugar control, stress management and overall restoration. So the consumption of chamomile tea may benefit all women with PCOS and hormone imbalances.
✓ Decreased androgens
Hyperandrogenism (high levels of androgens – the ‘male’ hormones) is one of the main drivers responsible for many of the PCOS symptoms such as acne, hirsutism, hair loss and irregular periods. It’s also one of the 3 official Rotterdam criteria to be diagnosed with PCOS (ovarian cysts and irregular periods are the other 2).
While there are many factors that have an impact on the production and regulation of androgens in your body, some dietary and lifestyle strategies appear to be effective in lowering those hormones and reducing PCOS symptoms. And the consumption of chamomile tea may be one of them.
In one study, chamomile extract has been shown to be effective in decreasing testosterone levels in women with PCOS suggesting it may have anti-androgenic effects. The content of phytosterols and phytoestrogens found in chamomile are thought to be the main reason for those effects.
That’s because phytosterols have been shown to reduce androgenic hormone synthesis and phytoestrogens may help suppress the conversion of steroids into testosterone. Both of those actions, thus, can result in an overall decrease in total testosterone and improved PCOS.
✓ Improved fertility
Another great benefit of chamomile tea for PCOS is its ability to balance the levels of LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) in the body. Both of those hormones are extremely important for ovulation, menstrual cycle and egg maturity which is why their optimal levels (in the right ratio) are essential for female fertility.
The data has shown that women with PCOS tend to have abnormal levels of LH and FSH, typically in the ratio of 2:1 or 3:1 (the normal ratio is 1:1). This is one of the reasons PCOS is associated with irregular periods, anovulation and difficulties getting pregnant.
However, one study has found that supplementing with chamomile extract significantly improved the LH:FSH ratio in women with PCOS suggesting that it may support fertility in those individuals.
Another study involving PCOS-induced rats has shown improvements not only in the LH:FSH ratio but also in the ovarian and uterine tissues (fewer cysts, more dominant follicles, better endometrial tissue arrangements) after treatment with chamomile extract.
While more human studies are currently needed, the effects of chamomile tea on female fertility in women with PCOS appear to be promising and this herb may have an important therapeutic role.
✓ Cardiovascular health support
Unfortunately, the risk of developing cardiovascular disease is much greater in women with PCOS due to their metabolic and hormonal dysfunctions. They also tend to suffer from elevated blood cholesterol and high blood pressure, both of which are major risk factors for heart disease.
Interestingly, high amounts of flavanols (a type of antioxidant) found in chamomile appear to be effective in lowering cholesterol and high blood pressure. Those effects have been found in studies with diabetic patients but also in studies involving women with PCOS.
According to the study, women with PCOS who took chamomile extract supplements for the period of 90 days have shown a significant decrease in their LDL (the ‘bad’) cholesterol and triglycerides levels.
Based on those findings, drinking chamomile tea may be particularly beneficial for promoting heart health and decreasing the risks of cardiovascular disease in women with PCOS.
✓ Blood sugar management
If you suffer from PCOS you may be already familiar with the role of insulin resistance in the development and progression of this condition. You can find more information in my previous article ‘PCOS Insulin Resistance Explained & How To Reverse It’ to get more details.
Nonetheless, insulin resistance is considered to be one of the root causes of PCOS and chronically elevated levels of insulin have been linked to abnormal production of androgens (the ‘male’ hormones) in the ovaries.
As a result, many PCOS management strategies focus on optimal blood sugar control and insulin regulation in order to improve the condition and reduce PCOS symptoms. Apart from multiple lifestyle factors (such as diet, exercise, sleep, stress management), a lot of herbs and spices also appear to be largely beneficial for blood sugar and insulin management.
Cinnamon is particularly effective (you can find out more at ‘Cinnamon For PCOS: Benefits, Risks & Practical Tips’), however, there is also some evidence showing that chamomile may be able to lower blood sugar levels and prevent blood sugar spikes after meals.
Although those findings are predominantly based on animal studies, the consumption of chamomile tea may still benefit individuals with blood sugar problems such as women with PCOS.
Disadvantages of chamomile tea for PCOS:
- Allergy
- Quality
✕ Allergy
The consumption of chamomile tea is generally considered safe for most individuals as there appear to be no negative effects or risks of toxicity associated with this herb, However, in some rare cases, the consumption of chamomile may trigger an allergic reaction.
Individuals who are sensitive to plants in the daisy family should therefore be conscious of their chamomile tea intake and their consumption may need to be limited. Therefore, you should always consult with your medical doctor, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or suffer from allergic reactions.
✕ Quality
Since chamomile tea is one of the most popular herbal teas on the market, you’ll be able to find lots of brands and products that differ not only in their taste but also in their quality. This, in turn, may also have an impact on the herb’s effectiveness and its health benefits for PCOS.
For this reason, I highly suggest you choose wisely and look for some high-quality chamomile tea (ideally organic and loose-leaf) to gain the most benefits and avoid any potential risks. My favorite chamomile tea products are listed later in this post if you’re not sure what exactly to look for.
Best chamomile tea for PCOS:
- Organic chamomile tea
- Loose-leaf chamomile tea
- Chamomile spearmint tea
Chamomile tea is usually very accessible in most places and you’ll be able to find it even in large supermarkets and regular grocery stores. However, if you want to achieve the most benefits from the consumption of this herb, I highly suggest you don’t compromise on its quality, especially if you’re gonna drink it on a daily basis.
Try to look for chamomile tea certified organic as it will guarantee no use of harmful pesticides, herbicides and other industrial chemicals that may disrupt your hormones and affect your PCOS.
Loose leaf tea is also usually a better option as it tends to contain larger and more aromatic leaves in contrast to teabags that may consist of lower-quality herbs and even some other unwanted material (such as sand and dust).
There are also many tea blends available on the market that can provide you with additional benefits. Chamomile tea in combination with spearmint tea may be particularly great for women with PCOS as spearmint tea has been repeatedly shown to have positive and therapeutic effects on this condition.
You can find out more about the benefits of spearmint tea for PCOS in my other article ‘Spearmint Tea For PCOS: Benefits, Risks & Practical Tips’.
Is chamomile tea good for PCOS?
Chamomile tea is a good beverage for women with PCOS as it’s associated with multiple health benefits important for the management of this condition. The consumption of chamomile tea may help reduce stress, balance hormones, improve fertility and support cardiovascular health.
Chamomile and spearmint tea for PCOS
Chamomile and spearmint tea is a popular herbal blend that appears to be largely beneficial for women with PCOS. According to research, the consumption of chamomile and spearmint tea may help manage PCOS by decreasing androgens, balancing hormones, reducing stress and supporting fertility.
Best chamomile tea brands for PCOS:
- Organic Chamomile Flowers by U.S. Wellness Naturals (available on Amazon)
- Organic Chamomile Teabags by FGO (available on Amazon)
- Chamomile Spearmint Tea by Tealyra (available on Amazon)
Depending on your local area, you might find a lot of good organic brands of chamomile tea in regular stores as it’s becoming more and more popular. However, those tea boxes usually contain only a couple of teabags (sometimes even individually packed) which can become really expensive over time. That’s why I personally like to buy loose-leaf tea in bulk for my everyday use and opt for the practical teabags when traveling.
How to use chamomile tea for PCOS:
Chamomile tea can be easily incorporated into a diet in many different ways and forms. Depending on the type and brand of chamomile tea, the effects on PCOS may vary. However, there are some general recommendations based on the research findings that may be followed to maximize the positive effects.
How much chamomile tea should I drink for PCOS?
As a general rule, women with PCOS should drink between 1-4 cups of chamomile tea per day to gain the most health benefits. However, the optimal dosage of chamomile tea may differ between individuals depending on their personal circumstances and other external factors.
When is the best time to drink chamomile tea for PCOS?
The best time to drink chamomile tea for PCOS appears to be before bed since it may help reduce stress and promote sleepiness. Drinking chamomile tea after meals may also be beneficial as it helps control blood sugar levels. However, chamomile tea can be consumed at any time of the day.
How to make chamomile tea for PCOS:
- Pick a high-quality chamomile tea of your choice
- Place dried chamomile flowers into a cup (via infuser, filter or teabag)
- Boil fresh water to 100 degrees
- Pour 1 cup of freshly boiled water into your prepared cup
- Let it brew for 5-10 minutes
- Enjoy on its own or add a sweetener of choice
Practical tips:
- Drink chamomile tea hot & cold – chamomile tea tastes great not only as a hot beverage but it’s also great cold, especially in the summertime when you can keep it in your fridge, add some lemon, ice and make a delicious iced tea
- Make chamomile tea blends – try mixing chamomile tea with other PCOS-friendly herbs of your choice to create even better flavor and get additional health benefits, you can make your own tea blends at home or in your local herbal store or find some already pre-made tea products, you can find a complete list of the best herbs and teas for PCOS here ‘What Type Of Tea Is Best For PCOS? (The Ultimate Guide)‘
- Add chamomile tea into smoothies – chamomile tea (in its liquid form) can be easily added into your smoothies and smoothie bowls if you’re short on time & want to increase your chamomile tea intake, it can be hardly tasted but it can easily replace your regular liquids used for smoothies
- Make chamomile tea your evening routine – chamomile tea is naturally caffeine-free so you can drink it even closer to bedtime (+ it promotes sleepiness), it’s a great way to finish your day as it can help you relax, prevent late snacking and ‘unwind’ before bed if you make it your daily routine
- Re-infuse your chamomile tea – if you have a high-quality and aromatic chamomile tea (loose-leaf), you can actually re-use the flowers to make more tea from one portion, it’s important not to brew the tea for too long (approx. 5 mins) so you can re-infuse the herb with more hot water later
Resources:
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