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Chamomile tea

Matricaria chamomilla

Also known as chamomile, camomile tea, German chamomile, manzanilla

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An infusion of dried Matricaria chamomilla flower heads, containing no caffeine and no tea leaf. Most clinical research on chamomile uses standardised capsule extracts rather than the infusion.

SleepMental WellbeingGut & Digestive Health

Potential health benefits

Best supported: Limited

Ordered by how well the human research supports them — strongest first. A rating describes the state of the evidence, not how impressive the food is. How we rate evidence.

Sleep quality

Sleep
Limited evidence

Small randomised trials of chamomile extract or tea report modest improvements in subjective sleep quality, mostly in older adults and postnatal women. The trials are small and short, endpoints are self-reported questionnaires, and this is an area with a large placebo response, so the finding is suggestive rather than established.

Limited evidence. Early human work, or mostly lab and animal research.

2 sources

Deep research mode adds each paper’s own conclusion and stated limitations.

Stress and anxiety

Mental Wellbeing
Limited evidence

A small number of trials of standardised chamomile extract report reductions in generalised anxiety symptom scores over several weeks. Those studies used concentrated capsules at doses a cup of tea does not approach, and the number of trials is small.

Limited evidence. Early human work, or mostly lab and animal research.

2 sources

Deep research mode adds each paper’s own conclusion and stated limitations.

Digestive comfort

Gut & Digestive Health
Insufficient evidence

Chamomile is a traditional remedy for indigestion, colic and cramping, and appears in multi-herb digestive preparations. Trials of chamomile alone with digestive symptom endpoints are too few to support a conclusion.

Insufficient evidence. Not enough human research to say anything useful yet.

2 sources

Deep research mode adds each paper’s own conclusion and stated limitations.

Ask about Chamomile tea

Ask about Chamomile tea

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Key nutrients

Nutrient content per 100 grams
NutrientAmount% DV
Macronutrients
Calories1 kcal0%
Protein0 g0%
Total fat0 g0%
Carbohydrate0.2 g0%
Fibre0 g0%
Total sugars0 g—
Water99.7 g—
Fats
Saturated fat0.0020 g0%
Monounsaturated fat0.0010 g—
Polyunsaturated fat0.0050 g—
Cholesterol0 mg0%
EPA (omega-3)0 g—
DHA (omega-3)0 g—
DPA (omega-3)0 g—
Linoleic acid (omega-6)0.0020 g—
Vitamins
Vitamin A1 µg0%
Vitamin C0 mg0%
Vitamin D0 µg0%
Vitamin E0 mg0%
Vitamin K0 µg0%
Thiamin (B1)0.01 mg1%
Riboflavin (B2)0.0040 mg0%
Niacin (B3)0 mg0%
Pantothenic acid (B5)0.011 mg0%
Vitamin B60 mg0%
Folate1 µg0%
Vitamin B120 µg0%
Choline0 mg0%
Minerals
Calcium2 mg0%
Iron0.08 mg0%
Magnesium1 mg0%
Phosphorus0 mg0%
Potassium9 mg0%
Sodium1 mg0%
Zinc0.04 mg0%
Copper0.015 mg2%
Manganese0.044 mg2%
Selenium0 µg0%
Other measured compounds
Beta-carotene12 µg—
Alpha-carotene0 µg—
Lycopene0 µg—
Lutein + zeaxanthin0 µg—
Caffeine0 mg—
Ash0.01 g—

Nutrient values are per 100 g of the USDA reference entry named on this page and vary with variety, growing conditions, storage and preparation.

Source record: Beverages, tea, herb, brewed, chamomile (USDA FoodData Central, FDC ID 174156).

% DV uses the FDA Daily Values for adults and children aged 4 and over. A dash means no Daily Value has been established for that nutrient.

Bioactive compounds

Compounds present in meaningful amounts. Presence is banded rather than quantified, because whole-food levels vary enormously with variety, growing conditions, storage and preparation.

How preparation changes things

Only effects with real support are listed. If a preparation method is missing, it is because nothing dependable is documented — not because it makes no difference.

  • brewedIncreases flavonoid extraction

    Steeping for five to ten minutes with the cup covered extracts more of the flavonoids and retains the volatile aroma compounds that otherwise escape with the steam.

Things to know

Allergies, interactions and intake concerns. Every food gets this section — a reference where everything is uniformly good is not a reference.

  • Allergy

    Ragweed and daisy-family cross-reactivity

    Chamomile is an Asteraceae plant, and people sensitised to ragweed, mugwort, chrysanthemum or daisies can react to it. Reactions range from oral itching to anaphylaxis, and cases are documented, so a known ragweed allergy is a genuine reason for caution.

  • Interaction

    Anticoagulants and sedatives

    Chamomile contains coumarin-type constituents and case reports describe raised INR alongside warfarin. It may also add to the effect of sedatives and benzodiazepines, which is worth flagging if it is being drunk in quantity or taken as an extract.

  • Worth knowing

    Pregnancy

    High or medicinal intakes of chamomile in pregnancy are commonly discouraged for lack of safety data and traditional associations with uterine activity, though an occasional cup is not the concern.