Alongside its naturally-sweet flavor and aroma reminiscent of apples, chamomile tea offers a variety of health benefits, from promoting better sleep and reducing anxiety to lowering blood sugar and alleviating stomach pain.* But if you find yourself wondering, “Does chamomile tea have caffeine?,” the answer is a resounding no.
If you’re looking for a caffeine fix, chamomile tea is not the steeped beverage you should rely on for help. However, chamomile tea is a tried-and-true medicinal herb packed with natural compounds that have proven their utility throughout several centuries and cultures.
What is Chamomile Tea?
Chamomile tea is an herbal infusion with a mildly sweet, floral flavor. Its versatility means it can be enjoyed cold on a sunny day or piping hot on a chilly evening (with a dollop of honey for added sweetness). Some chamomile connoisseurs may even choose to experiment with different chamomilerecipes, using ingredients such as cinnamon, lavender, or ginger to put a unique twist on an old classic. If you are wondering how long to steep chamomile tea, let it steep a bit longer than recommended if you prefer an extra bold flavor.
It’s also easy to incorporate the aromas and flavors of chamomile into cocktails. The floral taste of chamomile pairs well with gin for a martini made with honey and lemon. Or, for a warming winter libation, you can serve chamomile hot with whiskey or bourbon for a delicious chamomile hot toddy.
Why Doesn’t Chamomile Tea Have Caffeine?
The caffeine content in tea is determined by the plant from which it originates. Energy-boosting teas, such as black tea, white tea, green tea, and oolong tea, come from the Camellia Sinensis plant. This plant is what supplies them with varying degrees of caffeine.
Chamomile, on the other hand, comes from the chamomile flower. In fact, you might mistake chamomile for a daisy if you were to spot it in a garden. That’s because the chamomile flower and the daisy both come from the same family, known as Asteraceae, along with other ornamentals such as zinnias, chrysanthemums, and marigolds.
This characterizes chamomile as an herbal blend – also known as tisane —a blend that typically doesn’t contain caffeine. Rather than serving as morning or afternoon stimulants, herbal teas, such as chamomile, ginger, and peppermint, tend to serve other purposes.
But not all herbal teas are caffeine-free. There are a couple of exceptions to this category, one being Yerba mate.
What Are the Different Types of Chamomile Tea?
Chamomile is far more than a decorative backyard flower. It’s been used for medicinal purposes since 500 B.C. and went on to gain even more popularity throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries as a natural remedy for fevers and cases of flu. Even today, chamomile is renowned as a plant-powered cure-all and, of course, as a soothing beverage for relaxation.
When perusing various chamomile options, you may come across different varieties—mainly, Roman and German chamomile. These are the two most popular types of chamomile, both of which can be used for making tea. You may also notice these types of chamomile available as essential oils, as both contain properties used in aromatherapy to promote relaxation and calmness.
There are, however, a few noteworthy differences between these two types of chamomile. Roman chamomile is:
- Also known by its botanical name, Chamaemelum nobile, or “true chamomile.”
- A perennial plant that grows only to about twelve inches in height.
- Characterized by a bolder and sometimes more bitter flavor profile than German chamomile.
- Used to steep a stress-relieving and sleep-inducing beverage.
German chamomile is:
- Also known by its botanical name, Matricaria chamomilla, or “ false chamomile.”
- An annual plant native to Western Europe that grows slightly taller than the Roman chamomile plant.
- Characterized by a sweeter, more subtle flavor profile, it is an ideal choice for tea drinkers who prefer lighter-tasting tea.
- Used to steep a stress-relieving and sleep-inducing beverage.
No matter your preferences regarding flavor, you can be sure that each variety of chamomile is packed with powerful antioxidants, as well as naturally soothing compounds able to bring you a cupful of calm on a busy day.
Other Uses for Chamomile Tea
Does chamomile tea help you sleep? Aside from working its relaxing magic at bedtime, chamomile tea also offers several positive benefits to improve your life and health. You can drink a few cups daily for a natural supplement that works from the inside out, or apply it topically as an external remedy for burns, scrapes, and scars. Whatever your preferred method, chamomile provides a dependable, at-home solution for many ailments.
Here are a few chamomile tea benefits :
- Boosting your immune system – If you are looking to build your defenses with a natural, bacteria-fighting supplement in preparation for cold and flu season, look to chamomile tea. Drinking a few cups daily with a dash or two of honey is a tasty tactic for strengthening your immune system and warding off germs.*
- Treating wounds – Chamomile is a natural antiseptic and trusted healing agent that has been around for centuries—dating as far back as ancient Rome. This makes it a cabinet staple anytime you need a homemade cure for wounds, burns, and rashes. To take advantage of chamomile’s healing properties, steep a pot as usual, and apply it as a cool compress to keep bacteria at bay and reduce inflammation.*
- Fading acne scars – If your last breakout left you with acne scars that seem as though they’re here to stay, consider turning to chamomile for a natural skin care solution. After steeping a cup of tea, let it cool, and apply it with a cloth as a compress to the affected areas. For best results, leave it on for about 15 minutes.
- Hair and scalp treatments – Dandruff is not only itchy—it can also leave behind an embarrassing trail. Fortunately, the antioxidants present in chamomile tea can exfoliate dry skin on your scalp, reducing the amount of redness and scaly patches around the roots of your hair. Plus, it is packed with vitamins that help promote hair growth and strong strands. To create your own chamomile hair treatment, steep a pot of tea, let it cool, then pour it over your hair and scalp.
Teas Offering a Caffeine Fix
While you won’t find any caffeine in chamomile tea, you can still turn to many other teas to give you the jolt of energy you’re looking for. In addition to Yerba mate, let’s take a look at other sources of caffeine in the tea world, as well as how the caffeine content compares amongst each variety:
- Black tea – For a classic, caffeinated tea with robust flavor, steep yourself a pot of black tea. Black tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant and packs about 50mg of caffeine into each cup.
- Green tea – If you want to limit your caffeine intake, but still want to reach a level of calm alertness, choose green tea. In addition to caffeine, green tea also offers several health benefits, from aiding weight loss to building a stronger immune system.* Plus, it’s a slightly gentler stimulant than black tea or coffee, with only 20–30mg of caffeine per cup.
- Oolong tea – For a diversity of flavors and a slight caffeine boost, oolong tea is what you should be steeping. Whether you prefer something light and sweet or bold and toasty, oolong varieties have the ability to please just about any tea drinker. As an added bonus for caffeine seekers, you’ll find about 30–40mg of caffeine in each cup.
Use these teas as an all-natural tool to get through days that demand a bit more of your time and energy. And after a hard day’s work, kick back and let go of any lingering stress with a cup of chamomile tea.
The Republic of Tea: Premium Chamomile Tea for Bedtime and Beyond
Whether you’re looking for the essential elixir for relaxation or an immune-boosting supplement, chamomile tea checks off all the boxes—and it tastes great too. At The Republic of Tea, you’ll find an assortment of premium chamomile teas, including the get some zzz’s™ tea that combines chamomile with rooibos and passionflower for an award-winning bedtime blend.
And if you’re still in search of something caffeinated, we have that too. Our HiCAF® Toasted Coconut Black Tea Bags contain a higher caffeine content than a cup of coffee and can provide you with a calm pick-me-up. Or, for an even lighter buzz, try our yummy Honey Ginseng Green Tea Bags. You may even want to try our Matè Latte if you are looking for an herbal tea with some caffeine content.
Whatever your tea-drinking tastes, The Republic of Tea has you covered. Simply shop, steep, and sip.
*The Site cannot and does not contain medical/health advice. The medical/health information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals. We do not provide any kind of medical/health advice. Information and statements about the products on this site have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Sources:
American Botanical Council. Introduction to Chamomile. http://abc.herbalgram.org/site/DocServer/CRCPRESSChamomile-Section_1.5978-1-4665-7759-6.pdf?docID=6362#:~:text=Chamomile%20originated%20in%20Europe%20and,the%20Sun%20(Salamon%201993).
Britannica. Asteraceae. https://www.britannica.com/plant/Asteraceae
Healthline. 8 Health Benefits of Yerba Mate. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-benefits-of-yerba-mate#TOC_TITLE_HDR_4
Healthline. What Is Guayusa? All You Need to Know. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/guayusa#:~:text=One%20cup%20(237%20ml)%20contains,cup%20of%20coffee%20(%2016%20).
Britannica. Asteraceae.
https://www.britannica.com/plant/Asteraceae
American Botanical Council. Introduction to Chamomile. http://abc.herbalgram.org/site/DocServer/CRCPRESSChamomile-Section_1.5978-1-4665-7759-6.pdf?docID=6362#:~:text=Chamomile%20originated%20in%20Europe%20and,the%20Sun%20(Salamon%201993).
