Dizziness is a common complaint describing sensations ranging from lightheadedness to vertigo, the strong sense that the world is spinning. This unsteadiness is one of the most frequent reasons adults seek medical advice. Chamomile tea is a widely recognized herbal remedy often considered for its calming properties. To determine if it can help with dizziness, it is helpful to first look at the underlying causes of the feeling.
Understanding Common Sources of Dizziness
Dizziness often arises from disturbances in the body’s balance system, which involves the inner ear, eyes, and sensory nerves. Common causes include mild inner ear issues, such as benign positional vertigo, where tiny calcium crystals become displaced within the ear canals.
Systemic changes in the body can also cause lightheadedness. Dehydration or temporary drops in blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension) often occur when standing up quickly. Fluctuations in blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) may also result in a dizzy or faint sensation.
Stress and anxiety are major contributors to dizziness. Anxious individuals may hyperventilate, leading to changes in carbon dioxide levels that manifest as a woozy or unsteady feeling. Understanding these triggers helps determine where an herbal intervention like chamomile might be most effective.
Chamomile’s Impact on the Nervous System
Chamomile is known for its mild sedative and anxiolytic properties, derived primarily from the flavonoid apigenin. Once consumed, this compound crosses the blood-brain barrier and interacts with the central nervous system.
Apigenin has a specific affinity for the benzodiazepine binding sites on the Gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)-A receptors in the brain. GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter, working to slow down nerve activity. By binding to these receptor sites, apigenin enhances GABA’s natural calming effect.
This action helps modulate the nervous system, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. The overall effect is a mild tranquilizing sensation that promotes relaxation without causing significant sedation in most people.
Evaluating Chamomile Tea for Dizziness Symptoms
The potential effectiveness of chamomile tea for dizziness depends entirely on the root cause of the symptom. Due to its mechanism on the GABA receptors, chamomile is a beneficial supportive measure for dizziness linked to psychological distress.
If unsteadiness is triggered by anxiety, stress, or hyperventilation, the tea’s calming action may reduce underlying nervous system over-activity. This addresses dizziness that is a physical manifestation of a psychological state.
However, chamomile is not a direct treatment for dizziness caused by physical imbalances in the inner ear. It will not correct mechanical issues associated with conditions like Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) or inflammation from vestibular neuritis.
For these physical forms of vertigo, its role is limited to managing the secondary anxiety or nausea that often accompany the spinning sensation. The tea acts as a supportive relaxation aid for certain types of dizziness, not a curative agent for all causes.
Preparing Chamomile and When to Consult a Professional
To maximize the extraction of apigenin and other beneficial compounds, dried chamomile flowers should be steeped properly. Infuse one teaspoon of dried flowers or one tea bag in about eight ounces of hot, near-boiling water for five to ten minutes. Steeping for at least five minutes ensures the essential oils responsible for the relaxing effects are adequately released.
Chamomile is generally safe, but it can interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners like warfarin, and may enhance the effects of other sedatives. Individuals with allergies to plants in the Asteraceae family (including ragweed and daisies) should exercise caution due to the potential for an allergic reaction.
Rarely, some individuals report mild side effects like drowsiness or even dizziness, especially with strong concentrations.
Dizziness can sometimes signal a more serious underlying health issue requiring medical attention. Consult a healthcare professional immediately if the dizziness is new, severe, or persistent, or if it is accompanied by concerning symptoms:
- Double vision
- Slurred speech
- Sudden severe headache
- Weakness or numbness in the limbs
- Chest pain
- Difficulty walking