Is Chamomile Tea Caffeine-Free?
Chamomile tea contains 0 mg of caffeine per 240 ml serving (classified as a caffeine-free herbal tea).
- Chamomile (240 ml) = 0 mg caffeine — a true herbal infusion, not a tea from Camellia sinensis.
- Adult safe limit per FDA: 400 mg/day; pregnancy guidance (Mayo Clinic/EFSA): ~200 mg/day.
- Caffeine half-life averages 5.7 hours — roughly 69% remains at 3 h, 48% at 6 h, 33% at 9 h, 23% at 12 h.
- Compare: drip coffee (240 ml) = 96 mg; green tea (240 ml) = 28 mg; decaf coffee (240 ml) = 3 mg.
Chamomile tea: caffeine content explained
Chamomile is an herbal infusion made from the flowers of Matricaria chamomilla or Chamaemelum nobile. In the USDA-style datasets and common nutrient listings, herbal teas are listed as caffeine-free; the dataset used here lists "Herbal tea (caffeine-free) | 240 ml | 0 mg." That means a standard 240 ml cup of pure chamomile contains 0 mg caffeine.
Important caveat: blends or commercial iced herbal drinks may include true tea (black, green) or added stimulants (yerba mate, guarana). If a product lists "chamomile" plus "black tea" or "green tea" on the label, it will contain caffeine proportional to the added tea (see comparing table below).
Why chamomile is naturally caffeine-free
Caffeine is an alkaloid produced in members of the Coffea and Camellia (tea) and related plant families. Chamomile belongs to the Asteraceae family (daisies); it does not synthesize caffeine. The absence of caffeine is biological, not a processing step — chamomile never needs to be "decaffeinated."
Comparing chamomile to common caffeinated drinks
Below is a quick reference comparing a 240 ml chamomile cup to common coffee and tea servings from the dataset so you can see the scale.
| Drink (serving) | Volume | Caffeine (mg) |
|---|---|---|
| Chamomile (herbal tea) | 240 ml | 0 mg |
| Drip coffee | 240 ml | 96 mg |
| Green tea | 240 ml | 28 mg |
| Black tea | 240 ml | 47 mg |
| Decaf coffee | 240 ml | 3 mg |
| Cold brew | 240 ml | 200 mg |
| Espresso (single) | 30 ml | 63 mg |
How long caffeine lasts — the population-average decay
Use the 5.7-hour half-life for population-average estimates: roughly 69% of an initial dose remains after 3 hours, 48% after 6 hours, 33% after 9 hours, and 23% after 12 hours. Chamomile starts at 0 mg, so there is no residual stimulant effect to model, but here's decay for typical caffeinated drinks so you can compare.
| Drink & dose (mg) | After 3 h (~69%) | After 6 h (~48%) | After 9 h (~33%) | After 12 h (~23%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chamomile — 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Drip coffee — 96 mg | 66 mg | 46 mg | 32 mg | 22 mg |
| Pour over — 145 mg | 100 mg | 70 mg | 48 mg | 33 mg |
| Cold brew — 200 mg | 138 mg | 96 mg | 66 mg | 46 mg |
| Espresso (single) — 63 mg | 43 mg | 30 mg | 21 mg | 14 mg |
Health, safety, and timing relative to sleep
For most healthy adults the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cites a practical upper limit of 400 mg/day of caffeine from all sources; the European Food Safety Authority gives similar guidance. For pregnancy, Mayo Clinic and EFSA-style guidance advise limiting intake to about 200 mg/day. The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages caffeine use in adolescents; avoid giving caffeinated drinks to young children.
Because chamomile contains 0 mg, it is often recommended as a bedtime beverage to avoid caffeine-related sleep disruption. If you consume other caffeinated products late in the day, use the decay estimates above: a 200 mg dose (cold brew) could leave ~96 mg at 6 hours and ~46 mg at 12 hours — levels that commonly affect sleep for sensitive people.
Benefits of chamomile tea and practical brewing notes
Chamomile is used for its aroma and mild sedative properties; compounds such as apigenin bind to brain receptors in lab studies, which helps explain traditional sleep and relaxation uses. Unlike true tea, chamomile flavor and strength depend on flower quantity and steep time rather than caffeine extraction; typical steeping is 5–10 minutes. Adding lemon, honey, or blending with caffeine-free herbs preserves the caffeine-free profile.
When chamomile might contain caffeine
Check product labels: "chamomile blend" or "sleep tea" blends sometimes include rooibos (caffeine-free) or actual tea leaves (black/green) or added guarana/yerba mate, which add caffeine. Any blend that includes Camellia sinensis or listed stimulant ingredients will no longer be 0 mg caffeine — calculate totals by adding the listed amounts from those components (see dataset examples).
Track intake and adjustments
If you need to manage sleep, pregnancy limits, or stimulant sensitivity, tracking daily intake helps: a cup of chamomile adds 0 mg while a single drip coffee adds 96 mg. Tools such as CoffeeLog automate logging and show cumulative mg across drinks so you can stay under recommended limits.
Summary
Pure chamomile tea is caffeine-free (0 mg per 240 ml) and is a safe alternative for evenings, pregnancy (with other limits), and for people avoiding stimulants. Always read labels for blends and use simple decay math if you want to estimate how long caffeine from other drinks will remain in your system.
Frequently asked questions
Does chamomile tea have caffeine?
Pure chamomile tea contains 0 mg of caffeine per 240 ml serving. Only blends that include true tea (black/green) or added stimulants will contain caffeine.
Is chamomile safe during pregnancy?
Chamomile itself has 0 mg caffeine, but pregnant people should follow Mayo Clinic/EFSA advice to limit caffeine to about 200 mg/day and consult a clinician about herbal use.
Can chamomile help you sleep?
Chamomile is commonly used as a bedtime tea because it contains calming compounds (e.g., apigenin) and no caffeine; individual effects vary and it is not a replacement for medical treatment of insomnia.
How does chamomile compare to green or black tea?
Chamomile: 0 mg (240 ml). Green tea: 28 mg (240 ml). Black tea: 47 mg (240 ml). Chamomile has no caffeine, while green/black tea contain measurable amounts.
Can children drink chamomile tea?
Because chamomile is caffeine-free, small amounts are often used for children, but parents should confirm no allergies and consult a pediatrician; the American Academy of Pediatrics discourages giving caffeinated drinks to adolescents.