Does Chamomile Tea Have Caffeine? All You Need to Know!

An ancient remedy for common cold, indigestion, anxiety, and even infants with colic, chamomile tea is one of the most popular herbal teas in the world.

We are used to thinking of it as a relaxing cup of evening tea with a pleasant floral aroma and calming effect.

But you might also be wondering if chamomile tea contains any caffeine at all.

The short answer is that pure chamomile tea is naturally caffeine free. However, if you drink it in the morning or afternoon, you can blend it with other ingredients to create an energizing infusion with caffeine.

Now, let’s take a proper look at the caffeine content of different chamomile tea blends. I will also share instructions for preparing pure chamomile tea and a few of my favorite recipes that contain chamomile.

What Exactly is Chamomile Tea?

Chamomile is a flowering plant that belongs to the daisy family. Chamomile tea is usually made by infusing dried chamomile flowers in hot water.

The plant has several species and the two common ones used for herbal teas are:

• Matricaria Recutita: Also called German chamomile, this species is native to southern and eastern Europe. Nowadays, it is cultivated all over the globe and valued for its medicinal properties.
• Anthemis Nobilis: Often called Roman chamomile, and also known as English or garden chamomile, this species is considered slightly less potent than the German chamomile. In addition to herbal teas, Roman chamomile is often used as a fragrance in soaps, cosmetics, and perfumes.

Taste and Aroma

The taste of chamomile tea is usually described as mild, floral, and slightly sweet. The aroma is delicate and comforting with some apple and honey-like notes.

Note that the taste and aroma of chamomile tea can vary quite a lot depending on the exact species and how it was grown and processed.

Benefits and Uses

Below are some of the science-backed benefits of chamomile tea:

Chamomile Tea Caffeine Content

Pure chamomile tea is made with only chamomile flowers and water and it doesn’t contain any caffeine.

It is a caffeine-free herbal tea that has a calming and sleep-inducing effect. This makes chamomile tea one of the best options to drink before bed.

How to Make Pure Chamomile Tea

Making a cup of relaxing chamomile tea is easy:

1. Boil fresh water.
2. Add some chamomile tea to a teapot or French press. You can use about one teaspoon per one cup of water.
3. Pour the hot water into the teapot and cover.
4. Let the tea steep for about 5 to 10 minutes depending on how strong you like it.
5. Pour into cups and enjoy!

Read my guide with the best chamomile tea brands to find pure chamomile tea and interesting blends.

What if You Want Chamomile Tea with Caffeine?

I often enjoy drinking chamomile tea after lunch or even in the morning. But sometimes I also want to have an energy boost.

So what is the solution?

If I want a strong energy boost, I mix the chamomile with a highly caffeinated tea like Assam black tea or yerba mate. Sometimes I make a milder infusion with white or green tea.

When you want to have chamomile tea with caffeine, mix it with one of the ingredients below:

Delicious Chamomile White Tea Recipe

The combination of white tea and chamomile creates a tea that is loaded with antioxidants, has a nice floral taste, and contains just a bit of caffeine to give you little energy boost.

Ingredients for 2 cups:

• 1 tsp Dried Dried Chamomile Flowers
• 1 tbsp Silver Needle White Tea (or other white tea)

How to make it:

1. Add the dried chamomile flowers to a teapot (or French press).
2. Add 2 cups of boiling hot water.
3. Leave uncovered and wait for 3 minutes.
4. Add the silver needle white tea.
5. Cover and steep for another 3 minutes
6. Strain into cups and enjoy!

The reason for steeping chamomile first in boiling hot water is to properly infuse it. White tea should not be brewed with water that is too hot, so when you add it afterward the water has cooled down a bit.

Caffeine-Free Herbal Tea Recipe with Chamomile

If you want to make a healthy and delicious cup of herbal tea, try this blend.

Ingredients for 2 cups:

• 1 tsp Dried Chamomile Flowers
• 1 tsp Dried Ginger Root
• 1 tsp Dried Licorice Root
• 1 tsp Dried Peppermint Leaves

How to make it:

1. Crumble or crush the dried ginger and licorice root into small pieces.
2. Add all herbal ingredients to a teapot (or French press).
3. Add 2 cups of boiling hot water.
4. Cover and steep for about 10 minutes
5. Strain into cups and enjoy!

Chamomile Tea and Caffeine FAQ

Does chamomile tea have caffeine?

Pure chamomile tea doesn’t have any caffeine. But you can buy blends or mix chamomile with other ingredients to make a drink that contains caffeine.

For example, if you mix chamomile with yerba mate or Assam black tea, you will get an infusion with a relatively high amount of caffeine. You can also make chamomile white or green tea for a mildly caffeinated drink.

What kind of effect does chamomile tea have?

Chamomile tea has a mildly tranquilizing and sleep-inducing effect on our brain. It may increase certain neurotransmitter activity (serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline) in our brain, which has positive effects on mood and helps with relaxing and relieving anxiety.

Does chamomile tea have any side effects?

According to research, chamomile doesn’t have side effects for the vast majority of people. However, some people might get an allergic reaction from drinking chamomile tea. This might happen especially if you are allergic to other plants in the daisy family (e.g. chrysanthemums, marigolds).