Cup with chamomile flowers coming out of it

Does Chamomile Tea Have Caffeine? Everything You Need to Know

Glass tea pot with water and chamomile inside, held by a hand in a garden environment.

A gentle, soothing cup of chamomile tea - it's perfect for sipping in the evenings to unwind after a long day. But chamomile tea and Zest Energy Tea (the high-caffeine, energy boosting, morning tea for go-getters) actually have a few surprising things in common.

This guide to caffeine tea takes you through the great properties and benefits of chamomile, including how much caffeine it contains. As a key ingredient in our herbal sleep tea, chamomile can be powerful - just not in the way you might expect!

HIGH CAFFEINE TEAS We get it - you can't function before caffeine hits your bloodstream. Good thing Zest has more caffeine than coffee, plus your stomach won't hate you for drinking it. ENERGY: 3X the amount of caffeine found in regular teas FOCUS: L-Theanine for all-day, steady alertness HEALTH: No surgar and made with completely natural ingredients SEE PRODUCT PAGE

What is Chamomile Tea?

Chamomile tea is a herbal tea. So, unlike traditional tea types (think green, black and oolong tea), chamomile isn't made from the Camellia sinensis tea plant.

Instead, chamomile infusions are made from the flower heads of the chamomile plant. There are two plants - Matricaria recutita and Chamaemelum nobile - that are harvested for chamomile tea. The leaves and stalks of the plant aren't used.

The origins of chamomile go back to ancient times. Both the ancient Egyptians and Greeks utilised chamomile for it's soothing scent and numerous health benefits (we've dug into those below).

Chamomile Flavor and Nutrition

Chamomile flowers produce a naturally sweet tea. It's best described as a hay and honey flavor. Sweet, slightly cloying, musty, and rich. It's not the grassy, herbal flavor you'd usually expect from teas made of herbs.

One 8oz cup of chamomile tea contains roughly 2 calories, 21mg of potassium, a small amount of vitamin A, and traces of calcium, iron, magnesium, folate, and beta carotene.

Chamomile is Caffeine-Free

On one end of the scale, there's Zest high caffeine tea and coffee. On the other end of the scale, you'll find herbal teas like our sleep tea. While a delicious chamomile tea may have interesting medical applications and a great range of nutrients, one key thing it is lacking is caffeine.

Chamomile tea is caffeine free.

Cup with chamomile flowers coming out of it

9 Health Benefits of Chamomile Tea

Chamomile contains no caffeine, which may be good news if you need to watch your caffeine intake! But like many types of tea, chamomile has its own unique health benefits too.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Many studies have proven that caffeine-free chamomile tea has good anti-inflammatory effects. Reducing inflammation has huge, wide-reaching potential for so many ailments and diseases. From inhibiting inflammatory mediator release in inflammatory bowel diseases, to effectively treating PMS symptoms in women.

Reduce Blood Pressure

Chamomile is a great tea to try if you need to lower your blood pressure. While there's no evidence that chamomile will directly lower your blood pressure, we do know that it can reduce anxiety and stress - which can otherwise cause high blood pressure.

Furthermore, if you need to avoid caffeine due to high blood pressure but are still craving a cup of something hot, chamomile will do the trick.

Control Blood Sugar Levels

Chamomile has the potential to lower blood sugar levels significantly, which will be great news for diabetics! Daily consumption of chamomile tea has a glucose-lowering effect and one study found that it was so significant, it could be used as a substitute for conventional drug treatment in cases of hyperglycemia.

Talk to your doctor or a health professional before making any changes, however.

Reduce Heart Disease Risks

Given that chamomile tea has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, and it can help maintain healthy blood pressure, it's an awesome drink to consume if you're worried about heart disease. Furthermore, when it comes to caffeine and heart disease, there's conflicting evidence. If you're looking to avoid caffeine altogether, chamomile is a great alternative.

Research has also found that chamomile has antiplatelet properties in vitro, which could suggest that it will prevent clots in stroke patients and plaque build-up in atherosclerosis cases.

Soothe Anxiety

Chamomile can be a traditional, soothing treatment for anxieties and nerves. One study found that chamomile is safe to consume long-term and is effective at reducing moderate to severe generalized anxiety disorder. Compared to current therapies for anxiety disorders, chamomile has no substantial side effects either.

Help You Sleep

Chamomile extract can significantly improve sleep quality, according to a study that examined sleep quality in elderly people.

Along with valerian root and peppermint, chamomile is a popular addition to herbal sleep remedies due to this property. We combine chamomile with lavender, l-theanine and melatonin for sleep in our herbal sleep remedy.

Great for Your Skin

German chamomile (from the Matricaria recutita plant) can soothe irritation and prevent scratching when the oils are applied topically to your skin.

This suggests that chamomile is great for maintaining skin health, particularly if your skin is prone to acne and red blemishes that you're tempted to scratch. The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects of chamomile may reduce redness too.

Boost Your Immune System

There's little scientific evidence to support this health benefit, but some people will swear that a cup of chamomile tea is great for boosting the immune system to treat a cold. While there's no evidence to back this myth up, we do know that chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties that may soothe a sore throat. Furthermore, drinking hot herbal teas is a good way to decongest your nose (much like the steam from a hot shower), so chamomile tea may be good for a cold after all.

May Even Help Cancer Symptoms

Chamomile has shown to reduce the frequency of vomiting in women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. The study found that it was just as effective as ginger at reducing the frequency of vomiting, so it's an effective treatment to settle your stomach!

The study does note, however, that ginger remains the most effective herbal remedy for reducing nausea.

aerial view of a glass cup with water, lemon, and a tea bag, in a kitchen setting

Similar Teas to Chamomile

If chamomile tea doesn't sing to your taste buds, try drinking these teas instead. If you're looking for a bigger tea caffeine boost, check out Zest black tea options below as well.

Green Tea

Green tea isn't caffeine free, but it rarely contains more than 30mg per cup. Unless you're super sensitive to caffeine, drinking green tea won't interfere with your sleep.

Flavor-wise, some Chinese green teas have a warm, hay-like taste. Others, like shade-grown Japanese green teas, have grassier, more astringent flavors.

To find out which tea has the most caffeine, and discover caffeine levels for each tea type, read our guide.

Lightly Oxidized Oolong Tea

Oolong tea can be lightly oxidized, which gives it the antioxidants and grassy green flavors of green tea, or heavily oxidized to create that richness and body of a black tea.

We think a light oolong tea can be a nice alternative to chamomile, if you're looking for a little more energy in your drink. Some oolong teas naturally have floral flavors too.

Mint

Peppermint and spearmint, two of the most popular mint tea types, are also great chamomile and Camellia sinensis tea alternatives. Besides being caffeine-free, mint is also good for your stomach and can aid digestion.

Sleep-Aid Teas

Sleep remedies contain a mixture of herbs - some with chamomile and some without. If you are looking for a great tea to help you sleep, but aren't keen on the flavor of chamomile flowers, then sleep aid teas are a good avenue to look at.

Discover Zest Sleep Tea next.

Colorful display of 7 spoons, each containing various types of tea blends

Chamomile vs Zest Energy Tea

You'd think that high caffeine tea would be the total opposite of chamomile, but our great energy-boosting morning tea drinks actually have several things in common with a calming cup of chamomile.

Natural ingredients - a good chamomile tea doesn't need artificial flavors or added sugars. Similarly, our Zest energy tea blends contain only natural, non-GMO certified ingredients to create that great taste.
Calming - chamomile has anti-anxiety properties, but so do our teas. L-Theanine is an important component found in the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. It works with caffeine to slow the onset of your energy boost and provides those calm, focused vibes.
Hydrating - with no added sugar, tea is a good drink to rehydrate your body. Although caffeine is a diuretic, it won't cause you to expel more water than you consume.
Health benefits - green tea and black tea are rich in antioxidants, like chamomile, and have numerous health benefits from aiding digestion to controlling blood sugar. Read our guides to green teas and black teas to learn more.

If you need an energy boost like a strong cup of coffee but want the soothing qualities of a chamomile tea, we have exactly what you need.

Zest Caffeine-Free Sleep Tea

If you've been following us on Instagram, you've probably seen our new herbal blends, including our delicious Sleep Tea.

Yes, we've recently released some highly functional and full-flavored teas to aid with sleep, digestion and immunity. If you're interested in calming, anxiety-soothing chamomile tea properties, you are going to love our Sleep Tea!

Designed to calm your energy and soothe your nerves with 15mg L-Theanine,
May reduce anxiety and worries, thanks to the lavender and chamomile,
Keeps your circadian rhythm in-check with 2mg of melatonin,
Totally plant-powered, plastic-free, vegan-friendly, and non-GMO,
Available as convenient teabag pyramids.

Our Sleep Tea is available in pouches of 15 compostable teabags. All you need to do is brew one in a mug of hot water to create a soothing and sweet herbal tea that's ideal for sipping before bed.

Shot of a girl's legs with black socks, and a tray showing in the foreground with a tea cup, a tea pot containing a Zest tea bag, and an apple.

FAQs

Have a burning question about chamomile? You might find the answers here.

Does chamomile tea have caffeine?

No, plain chamomile tea does not contain caffeine. Tea blends containing chamomile and tea from the Camellia sinensis plants, will contain some caffeine.

How much caffeine is in chamomile tea?

Chamomile tea contains 0mg of caffeine and very few calories - less than 3 calories per serving.

Does chamomile tea make you sleepy?

Yes, there's scientific evidence that chamomile can relax your body, reduce anxiety, and get your system ready for a great night's sleep.

Is it OK to drink chamomile tea every day?

Yes! Several of the studies mentioned above show evidence that chamomile is safe to take daily for the long term. Drinking herbal tea made from chamomile flowers is unlikely to cause any severe health issues.

What are the side effects of chamomile tea?

The risks of allergic reactions are possible, but very low. Chamomile is similar to plants in the daisy family, so if you're allergic to those plants, approach chamomile with caution.

Chamomile allergy symptoms are usually quite mild - coughing, itchiness, sneezes and a runny nose are about as severe as it gets! If you experience any of these problems, just stop drinking the tea and talk to a doctor if needed.

PLANT POWERED ENERGY DRINKS We get it - you can't function before caffeine hits your bloodstream. Good thing Zest has more caffeine than coffee, plus your stomach won't hate you for drinking it. ENERGY: 150 mg caffeine - more than coffee FOCUS: L-Theanine for all-day, steady alertness HEALTH: Low to no surgar, and made with completely natural ingredients SEE PRODUCT PAGE

SOURCES

Back to blog