Does Chamomile Tea Have Caffeine?

When you are pregnant or just don’t want to consume caffeine for one reason or another, you may have to do the research when it comes to teas.

While most coffee, and certain teas, often list their caffeine on the packet, as well as if they are caffeinated at all, some teas don’t have such a clear message.

Did you know that some teas actually have more caffeine than coffee?

One popular tea is chamomile tea, as it is a tea you would imagine it has caffeine in it. But does chamomile tea have caffeine, and if so, how much?

In today’s article we will discuss chamomile tea, and how it compares to other herbal teas in terms of its caffeine content, as well as if a pregnant woman can drink chamomile tea or not.

What Is Chamomile Tea?

Chamomile tea is a type of herbal tea that is usually drunk as a black tea, but you can add milk.

One thing to be clear about is that Chamomile tea is a herbal tea and is not made from the Camellia sinensis plant like other tea beverages are.

Oolong tea, or English breakfast tea are not herbal but are made from the Camellia sinensis plant; green tea also comes from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant and is different to the herbal infusion of chamomile tea as well.

On the other hand, chamomile flowers are used to create a herbal infusion that we call chamomile tea.

Chamomile is actually a common name for the several plants in the Asteraceae family, that we may also recognize as daisies.

Two species, Matricaria chamomilla and Chamaemelum nobile are the two common varieties that are harvested for chamomile tea production.

The plant grows well in pastoral areas in England but also Russia where it is the national flower.

What Does Chamomile Tea Taste Like?

As a herbal tea it is commonly enjoyed as a black tea. Chamomile teas are generally quite sweet and have a natural honey or hay flavor to them that is pleasant when drunk as a black tea.

It is what you would expect of a herbal black tea such as Chamomile: cloying, pastoral, grassy, even pleasantly musty.

It’s hard to describe, but it also works well in beer recipes across the world, so can be compared to that hoppy, barley-like floral flavor.

There are some health benefits as a result of the nutritional benefits of chamomile teas.

An 8oz cup can have roughly 2 calories, 21mg of potassium, a small amount of vitamin A and traces of calcium, magnesium, and other common vitamins and minerals.

Does Chamomile Tea Have Health Benefits?

Put bluntly, the true health benefits of chamomile teas are disputed among doctors and botanists, but it is a tasty tea.

Many suggest that chamomile tea can have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which can contribute to maintain healthy blood pressure.

Research has found that chamomile flowers have antiplatelet properties in vitro, which could suggest help stroke patients and plaque build-up.

Other studies suggest that it can be proven to help people sleep. Along with valerian root, and mint, chamomile is another herbal tea remedy for sleep.

The natural anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile tea can also really help with skin issues.

Some may suggest this as German chamomile is often turned into an oil and used to treat skin irritation, so some think this is true for the teas as well.

Does Chamomile Tea Have Caffeine?

Chamomile tea surprisingly has no caffeine at all. Chamomile teas are naturally caffeine free , and provide a caffeine free alternative for those who enjoy hot drinks.

Consider that this is made from daisies, so there is no reason why the drink should have caffeine. Plus, this is a herbal infusion rather than a brew, like other teas.

In comparison to Camelia teas, which naturally are caffeinated as a result of that plant.

Can Pregnant Women Drink Chamomile Tea?

Many may already know that caffeine needs to be limited when you are pregnant.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends pregnant women limit their caffeine intake to less than 200 mg per day.

Caffeine can affect your blood flow and actually limit the blood flow to your fetus as a result, if this limit is breached.

Luckily, Chamomile tea is naturally caffeine free but it does have some qualities that might make it unsuitable for pregnant women.

Chamomile has been known to cause uterine contractions and could potentially invoke a miscarriage.

While the ACOG and FDA suggest chamomile is generally safe there is equally a lack of research surrounding its effect on nursing infants.

The Roman chamomile plant, Chamaemelum nobile, is one to particularly avoid.

Another thing to note is that chamomile can interact with medication.

Chamomile is not recommended to be taken alongside aspirin or non-salicylate NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) as this will cause a drug and herb interaction.

Again, the research isn’t strong but it is suggested to avoid chamomile herbal tea and chamomile flowers until more research is available.

If pregnant, suffering from breast or uterine cancer, or have other uterine problems, it is best to talk to your doctor before consuming chamomile teas.

Does Thai Tea or Chamomile Tea Have More Caffeine?

Thai tea caffeine content and chamomile tea differ significantly. While chamomile tea is naturally caffeine-free, Thai tea is made by blending black tea with spices and sweeteners, thus containing caffeine. Depending on the brewing method and brand, Thai tea can have varying caffeine levels, ranging from 20-60mg per 8-ounce serving. If you’re looking for a caffeine-free option, chamomile tea is the way to go.

Final Thoughts

Using chamomile tea as a natural remedy or herbal medicine cannot be supported without proper research. This research is necessary for chamomile to be deemed safe, and also to understand its benefits.

Many people suggest it can help sleep quality, blood sugar levels, and even your immune system, but this is not scientifically supported.

Furthermore, while chamomile is totally caffeine free, we cannot recommend it safely for pregnant women.

It seems chamomile plants and extract can interact with medicines in ways we don’t fully understand.

Moreover, it can affect the function of the uterus, more scientific evidence needs to be found to deem this properly safe for pregnant women.

We suggest consulting your doctor before drinking the tea.