Soothing Chamomile
For centuries tea drinkers have sipped chamomile for relief from problems ranging from colds to menstrual cramps to jet lag. Now, scientists are beginning to investigate how chamomile works. A study at Imperial College London found recently that the tea raises the body's levels of hippurate, a substance that increases antibacterial activity. Chamomile also increases glycine, an amino acid that relieves muscle spasms. The beneficial effects of chamomile appear to last for as long as two weeks after drinking it.