What is Chamomile Tea?

Chamomile tea is a popular herbal tea made from the dried flowers of the chamomile plant. Chamomile flowers are small and white, with a vibrant yellow center. Chamomile is actually a part of the asteraceae plant family, just like daisies. The flowers of chamomile do resemble small daisies. Chamomile is one of the oldest medicinal herbs known to mankind. It was prized in Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. It was even mentioned by Hippocrates – the father of western medicine – himself in 500 BCE. Among chamomile's potential health benefits are its ability to improve sleep quality and calm the nervous system.* Perhaps one of the reasons that chamomile teas have stayed popular for hundreds of years is that steeping dried chamomile results in a lovely golden tea, with a sweet flavor and delicious aroma. Chamomile tea is easy to make by steeping a chamomile tea bag or loose chamomile tea in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. A cup of chamomile tea is a wonderful way to add a sweet and soothing moment to your day.

What Does Chamomile Tea Taste Like?

Chamomile tea is mild, floral and slightly grassy. The longer you steep your chamomile tea the deeper and more intense the flowering herb's flavor will become. Many tea enthusiasts add a spoonful of honey or a squeeze of lemon into their chamomile herbal tea to bring out its subtle flavor notes. Chamomile tea flavor is often described as having notes of hay and apple. Perhaps this is why the name chamomile is derived from the Greek words meaning "ground apple." Chamomile tea has a delicious floral and herbaceous scent and is a light golden color. In fact, chamomile smells so wonderful it was used as both a beverage and an incense by ancient Romans. Chamomile flower is a popular addition to herbal tea blends for its sweet floral flavor and its health benefits.

Popular Chamomile Tea Flavors and Types

Herbal tea made from exclusively dried chamomile is a popular choice. The Republic of Tea stocks a lovely Organic Egyptian Chamomile tea in convenient unbleached tea bag rounds. Chamomile teas are often blended with dried lemon or lemon balm, which both add a lovely citrus zing to the mellow floral taste of chamomile tea. Two popular examples of this are the Chamomile Lemon Herbal Tea Bags and Downton Abbey® Lady Cora's Evening Tea. Another popular chamomile tea blend involves pairing the dried chamomile flower with other herbs that promote relaxation and sleep*. A popular tea for winding down is the get some zzz's™ - No. 5 Herb Tea for Rest blend-- which pairs chamomile with valerian root and passionflower to create a perfect bedtime tea. Chamomile tea blends often include lavender due to both herbal teas' soothing and restful properties. A delicious example of this is the Calm Rest tea, which includes a free 30 day trial of the Calm meditation app. Whichever variety of chamomile tea you choose to buy, you are sure to have a delightful experience enjoying your new herbal tea sip by sip.

Benefits of Chamomile Tea

A steaming mug of chamomile tea is a sweet addition to any day. Besides providing a delicious flavor and a much needed break in the day, this tea has many potential health benefits.* Chamomile tea is one of humankind's oldest herbal remedies. It may help heal sore throats and canker sores.* Many herbalists recommend chamomile as an herbal medicine to relieve the symptoms of the common cold and reduce inflammation.* Some tea enthusiasts find chamomile teas helpful when they experience menstrual pain.* It is also thought to soothe an upset stomach, promote heart health and lower blood sugar.* Drinking chamomile tea has skin soothing effects* — which is why it is a key component in Get Gorgeous® - No. 1 Herb Tea for Clear Skin. Potential benefits of applying this tea to your hair and scalp include clearing dandruff and bringing out natural highlights in your hair.* Further chamomile tea benefits include it possibly being linked to stabilizing blood pressure, soothing gastrointestinal pain, and helping with stomach ulcers.* Of course this tea is best known for helping people with sleep problems unwind and improve their sleep quality.* Our Tea Mind Today® Blog has covered the potential health benefits of chamomile tea in depth. More research is needed, but chamomile has obviously stayed one of humankind's favorite herbal medicines for a reason.

How to Make Chamomile Tea

In order to get all of the flavor notes and health benefits of chamomile tea, it is important that you steep it properly. Because chamomile is an herbal tea, it can be steeped for a long time without the tea tasting bitter. It is recommended that you use one tea bag or one teaspoon of loose herbal tea for each cup of hot water you will be using to steep your tea. The hot water you use should be boiling.  You can steep your chamomile tea for between 5 and 15 minutes. This is a large steeping window, and it leaves it up to you to decide how strong you prefer your tea. The tea will become darker in color and stronger in flavor the longer you leave your chamomile tea bag or tea leaves in the hot water. Perhaps try increasing the steep time in 2 minute intervals until you find your desired herbal tea strength. Once you have removed your tea leaves or tea bag, consider adding a twist of lemon or a spoonful of honey to your chamomile tea. These popular additions bring out different flavor nuances in the mellow floral chamomile flavor, allowing you to further customize your cup of tea. Follow these tips to make the best chamomile tea.

FAQ

Does Chamomile Tea Make You Sleepy?

Chamomile tea is more than just a soothing, sweet and floral beverage. It contains apigenin which makes it a perfect pre-sleep treat.* Research suggests apigenin has a mild sedative effect because it binds to receptors in the brain responsible for inducing sleepiness and decreasing anxiety.* Another factor in chamomile tea that helps promote a great night's sleep is that chamomile has been shown to increase levels of the neurotransmitter and hormone serotonin*. Serotonin helps regulate blood sugar, appetite and mood.* Regulating these factors helps set you up for a great night of sleep. Some tea blends pair chamomile teas with other soothing herbs, for example, lavender chamomile tea blends are a popular natural sleep aid. To increase this tea's soothing benefits, consider making it part of your bedtime routine. Sleep experts recommend following the same steps before sleep each night. Establishing a bedtime routine helps your brain recognize when it is time to sleep. Add drinking chamomile tea into your nightly routine about 45 minutes before sleep to maximize its soothing benefits. Other things you might add to your nightly routine to improve sleep quality include: enjoying a warm bath, reading a book, lighting a candle, meditating and listening to calming music. Click here to read more about using chamomile tea to help you fall asleep.

Can Dogs Have Chamomile Tea?

Yes, dogs can have chamomile tea. It has a soothing effect and relieves anxiety in both humans and dogs. Chamomile tea is also thought to have other medicinal properties such as being antimicrobial and anti inflammatory that can benefit dogs.* The amount of chamomile tea your dog can have in a day varies depending on their size. Use the table below to see how much tea to prepare for your dog.

• Small dogs (1 to 20 lbs) – ¼ to ½ cup daily
• Medium dogs (20 to 50 lbs) – ½ to 1 cup daily
• Large dogs (50 to 80 lbs) – 1 to 2 cups daily
• Extra-large dogs (80+ lbs) – 2 to 3 cups daily

The following instructions are how to make 1 cup of chamomile tea for a dog. Adjust the amount that you make and serve according to your pup's size. To prepare some chamomile tea for your pup, first make sure that the tea you will be using is 100% dried chamomile flowers, with no other added herbs that might not be safe for pets. Organic Egyptian Chamomile Tea Bags are a great 100% organic chamomile tea option for dogs. Then heat your water to a boil. Give the water a few minutes to cool as you add 1 herbal tea bag or 1 teaspoon of loose tea to a bowl or wide mouth mug that your dog can fit their snout in. Pour one cup of hot water over the tea bag and let it steep for 5 minutes. Remove your tea bag or loose tea from the hot water. Then be sure to let the tea cool completely to room temperature before letting your dog enjoy their cup of calming tea.  With that being said, you should always check with your veterinarian first before administering anything to your dog. 

For more herbal teas your dog might enjoy, read this Tea Mind Today® Blog post.

Does Chamomile Tea Have Caffeine?

Chamomile tea does not have any caffeine. It is made from the dried flowers of the chamomile plant. Unlike Camellia Sinensis – the plant that green, white and black tea are derived from – the chamomile plant is caffeine free. So chamomile teas are a great choice for anyone avoiding caffeine. Many tea enthusiasts like to enjoy it right before bed, as this herb is considered a natural remedy for sleeplessness. Drink chamomile tea 45 minutes before bed to help you get a good night's sleep.* Because it is caffeine free chamomile tea is a popular ingredient in tea mocktails designed to promote a restful night. Learn more about chamomile tea’s caffeine content, with this Tea Mind Today® Blog post.

Is Chamomile Tea Safe During Pregnancy?

It is recommended to talk to your doctor before drinking chamomile tea during pregnancy. Chamomile tea contains anti inflammatory properties that may not be recommended during pregnancy depending on your medical history and other factors. More research is needed to determine if chamomile tea is safe to drink during pregnancy.

Can Babies and Kids Drink Chamomile Tea?

It is always best to consult with your pediatrician before giving your baby or child chamomile tea or any other herbal product. Chamomile tea is generally considered safe in moderation for babies six months and older. If you do decide to give this type of tea to your baby or child it should be administered in small doses at first. It is very important to make sure the tea has cooled down sufficiently before giving it to babies or children. Babies and children should be supervised closely when drinking tea. Kids may enjoy drinking chamomile tea with honey, but please remember honey should never be given to children under 1 year old. Babies under 1 year old could have sugar in their chamomile tea instead. The soothing and calming effects of chamomile teas are one of the potential benefits of incorporating tea into your kid's diet. 

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.