Does Chamomile Tea Have Caffeine?

Tossing and turning when you should be catching Zzzs takes a toll on your health, so it’s important to have an effective bedtime ritual to soothe yourself into a sleepy state. For many, that routine includes brewing and drinking a nice warm cup of chamomile tea.

We know what you’re thinking: “Chamomile tea? But isn’t tea generally caffeinated?”

It’s a viable concern. After all, caffeine is the stuff you drink when you’re trying to avoid sleeping. How could something with caffeine in it promote better sleep?

That’s why we’re diving into the topic today to determine if chamomile tea truly is caffeine-free, as well as explore the many benefits of chamomile tea and how it stacks up against other teas.

What Is Chamomile Tea?

You were right to catch that tea, in general, contains caffeine. So, how could chamomile tea make you sleepy when caffeine is a stimulant? 

That’s because chamomile tea technically isn’t a tea at all, or at least not a “true tea.”

Let’s break it down — “true teas,” like your everyday green tea, black tea, white tea, etc., come from the Camellia sinensis plant. Camellia sinensis naturally contains caffeine, so when its leaves are plucked, dried, and placed in convenient tea bags for you to steep, you get that caffeinated goodness you crave when you’re busy burning the candle from both ends.

Chamomile tea, made from the matricaria chamomilla or German chamomile plant, is actually a tisane, more commonly referred to as an “herbal infusion.” Herbal teas, including chamomile, peppermint, ginger, hibiscus, and rooibos, are naturally caffeine-free.

That’s why chamomile tea, unlike true teas, promotes relaxation, induces drowsiness, and helps millions of people worldwide settle down when it’s time to go to sleep.

Does Chamomile Tea Contain Caffeine?

The short answer: No, chamomile tea does not contain caffeine.

Remember, all true teas come from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which naturally produce caffeine. Thus, when you brew a nice hot cup of jasmine, green, or oolong, the caffeine from the leaves is steeped into your cup and enters your system as you enjoy.

Chamomile flowers do not produce caffeine. Like most herbal teas, chamomile tea is naturally caffeine-free, making it the clear choice when it comes to choosing a proper bedtime beverage.

That said, you do want to have an eagle eye when it comes to chamomile tea packaging. Some chamomile tea products are blended with other types of tea, like green tea or black tea, so they contain caffeine.

You’ll want to peruse the packaging for some peace of mind, but chances are that, if what you’re drinking is 100-percent chamomile, then it’s 100-percent caffeine-free too.

Benefits of Drinking Chamomile Tea Before Bed

You just can’t beat a warm cup of chamomile tea before bed. It’s the perfect thing for setting the mood and helping you ease into a comfy, cozy, sleepy state before drifting off to dreamland. 

There are actually many health benefits associated with drinking chamomile tea and/or using chamomile supplements.

Promotes Better Sleep

The special sauce responsible for chamomile’s trademark sleepytime effect is called apigenin¹. Apigenin is an antioxidant that binds to the GABA receptors of your brain in order to produce a mild sedative effect, which may induce a feeling of drowsiness in some users.

A 2024 meta-analysis in Complementary Therapies in Medicine² reviewed the effectiveness of chamomile as a sleep aid, ultimately concluding that “chamomile improved sleep, especially the number of awakenings after sleep or staying asleep.”

If you generally have trouble falling or staying asleep, we would still recommend discussing the problem with a qualified medical professional. However, drinking chamomile tea before bedtime may work as a non-medical, relatively risk-free way of getting better sleep, so don’t count it out!

Relieves Stress and Anxiety

Drinking chamomile tea may also help reduce stress and anxiety.

A 2024 review in Clinical Nutrition Research³ explored the “sedative efficacy of chamomile as an herbal medicine for anxiety treatment.” They found that consuming chamomile daily, whether by taking chamomile extract as a supplement or drinking chamomile tea, is “effective in improving anxiety.”

You should always discuss medical symptoms with a doctor first and foremost, but the anxiolytic effects of chamomile coupled with the findings of the above study suggests that having a warm cup of chamomile tea may improve mental health and wellness by reducing stress and anxiety.

Supports Good Digestion

Chamomile also exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, so sipping chamomile may soothe a sour stomach and help with uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms like gas and bloating.

According to a 2022 review in Molecules⁴, chamomile may “relieve pain caused by functional digestive disorders,”  while a 2023 study in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine⁵ determined that “chamomile has a potential therapeutic effect on the gastrointestinal and can reduce flatulence.”

That’s not all: A review in Molecular Medicine Reports⁶ noted that the flavonoids in chamomile also inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that contributes to stomach ulcers. It’s by no means a panacea, but you may combat the growth of stomach ulcers or get relief from ulcer-related pain by drinking chamomile tea regularly.

Chamomile Tea vs. Other Herbal Teas

Chamomile, as a bedtime tea, demolishes traditional teas because it’s naturally caffeine-free. Compare that to the average caffeine content found in one cup of your traditional black, green, and white teas, and it’s no contest:

• Black Tea: 40 to 70 milligrams
• Green Tea: 20 to 45 milligrams
• White Tea: 15 to 30 milligrams
• Chamomile: 0 milligrams

Other herbal teas, like the minty-fresh peppermint tea, the earthy rooibos tea, or the tart and fruity hibiscus tea, make excellent bedtime choices too because, like chamomile, they’re not “true teas” that come from the Camellia sinensis plant. They’re herbal infusions, so they also contain no caffeine whatsoever.

Potential Side Effects and Considerations

Most folks don’t have to think twice before buying a box of chamomile tea bags and steeping to their heart’s content, but there are some potential side effects to consider before you ingrain the popular bedtime remedy into your personal routine.

Allergies

German and Roman chamomile flowers are in the Asteraceae or daisy family, meaning people who are allergic to ragweed, daisies, marigolds, or chrysanthemums may experience an allergic reaction to chamomile too. 

If you’ve had sensitivities to any of these plants, check with your doctor or another healthcare professional before drinking chamomile tea or taking chamomile supplements.

Medication Interactions

A 2024 randomized controlled trial in the Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine⁷ observed that chamomile displayed anticoagulant properties, meaning it would take more time for your blood to clot if you had recently or have regularly consumed chamomile.

That’s not inherently bad, but it could be a problem for an individual taking blood thinners to manage an illness or health condition. The trial did note that “the clinical significance of [these properties] is unclear… and warrants further investigation,” but it’s prudent to err on the side of caution and discuss the risks of using chamomile with your doctor just in case.

Special Populations

At a glance, there’s nothing harmful in chamomile, but its safety for children, pregnant women, and those who are breastfeeding hasn’t been firmly established and warrants further study. 

In fact, a 2025 review in Cureus⁸ found that using chamomile products while pregnant may negatively impact “preterm labor/delivery, miscarriage risk, and birth weight and length.” The review also referred to the evidence supporting this conclusion as “weak,” but it’s nonetheless crucial for pregnant individuals to consult their doctors regarding the risks of using chamomile prior to incorporating it into their wellness routines.

Conclusion

We understand there’s an adage about things that are too good to be true. 

Chamomile may not be a “true tea,” but it is truly caffeine-free, making it an easy addition to any bedtime routine that needs a certain je ne sais quoi to bring the relaxation to a whole new level. We here at Sleepopolis are all about building better sleep habits, so why not take advantage of every natural and holistic remedy at your disposal?

Don’t suffer another sleepless night; try adding chamomile tea to your bedtime routine today and see if it’s the thing you’ve been missing all along. What do you have to lose?

FAQs

Sources