Does Chamomile Tea Make You Sleep?

Is Chamomile Actually Good For Sleep?

Chamomile is considered to be a mild sedative or tranquilizer, which means it may relax the nervous system and promote sleep Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . A meta-analysis of 12 randomized, controlled trials found that chamomile improved sleep quality Trusted Source Wiley Online Library Wiley Online Library is one of the largest and most authoritative collections of electronic journals published by Wiley, as well as a vast and growing collection of reference works and other books. View Source . One study found that chamomile helped people with insomnia function slightly better during the day . Chamomile has also been found to improve sleep in women during menopause and after pregnancy Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source .

A flavonoid called apigenin is likely the component of chamomile that causes a sedative effect. Flavonoids are natural substances known to positively impact health that can be found in a variety of vegetables, herbs and fruits Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . The flavonoid apigenin has been found to bind on benzodiazepine receptors in the brain. Prescription drugs that bind to benzodiazepine receptors usually treat insomnia, anxiety, or seizures Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source .  Camomile is one of the richest natural sources of apigenin.

Does Chamomile Tea Have Caffeine In It?

On its own, chamomile tea is naturally caffeine-free. However, manufacturers sometimes make mixes that include multiple different types of teas. Check the label before drinking chamomile tea to make sure it hasn’t been combined with another type of tea that contains caffeine. Drinking tea that contains caffeine in the hours before bedtime can disrupt sleep Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source .

Benefits of Chamomile Tea

Research studies suggest that chamomile tea or supplements may help prevent or treat a wide variety of health-related issues beyond sleep. It has been regarded as an anti-inflammatory, a diuretic, and an analgesic. More research is needed to confirm, since many of chamomile’s benefits have been found in animal studies, but not yet proven in humans Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source .

• Anxiety Trusted Source Taylor & Francis Online Taylor & Francis Online is the journal content platform for the Taylor & Francis Group. The site gives online access to all journals published by Taylor & Francis. View Source
• Arthritis
• Back pain
• Bedsores 
• Cancer
• Cancer treatment side effects Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source
• Cardiovascular disease 
• Common cold
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Flatulence
• High blood sugar Trusted Source SpringerLink SpringerLink provides researchers with access to millions of scientific documents from journals, books, series, protocols, reference works, and proceedings. View Source
• Inflammation
• Kidney damage
• Intestinal worms and parasites
• Irritable bowel syndrome symptom
• Liver damage
• Menstrual pain
• Menstrual-related mood changes
• Mortality Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source
• Nausea and vomiting
• Nerve pain
• Neurological problems
• Osteoporosis
• Oxidative stress
• Stomach ulcers

In addition to being consumed as a tea or supplement, chamomile is sometimes also applied to the skin to treat itching, burns, wounds, and eczema. People may also gargle with chamomile tea or use it as a mouthwash when dealing with mouth or throat inflammation. Chamomile may be added to a bath to soothe anal or genital inflammation. Sometimes just the smell of camomile helps with relaxation. Finally, people sometimes breathe in vaporized chamomile essential oil instead of drinking the tea when treating anxiety and depression.

When to Drink Chamomile Tea for Better Sleep

Some studies suggest that chamomile tea causes tiredness quickly, so drinking it in the evening before bedtime might be best. However, if you find yourself waking up in the night to urinate, you may want to limit the amount of liquid you consume in the late evening Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source and instead drink your chamomile tea a little earlier.

“Usually the optimal time to drink some chamomile tea is 45-60 minutes before bedtime or during wind down time to help with sleep.”

Dr. Lulu Guo

Sleep Medicine Physician

Chamomile Supplements or Tea?

Chamomile is commonly consumed as an herbal infusion mixed with hot water or in a tea form, Most human research studies on chamomile appear to use tea Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Chamomile is also available as a dietary supplement in the form of capsules. Whether a person opts to drink chamomile tea or take chamomile supplements is a personal decision. 

There doesn’t appear to be research studies comparing the tea and dietary supplement forms of chamomile. That said, many of the components of chamomile are thought to be water soluble, so they may be best able to have a therapeutic effect in the form of chamomile tea.

Is Chamomile Safe?

People have been safely consuming chamomile since ancient times, especially the amounts found in tea. Some research suggests that chamomile is even safe for infants and children, but experts say that chamomile hasn’t been established as officially safe for people in this age group. Similarly, the safety of chamomile is unknown when it comes to pregnant or nursing women and people with kidney or liver disease.

Side effects to camomile are rare but may include nausea or dizziness. A small proportion of people are allergic to chamomile or develop an allergy to it after using it. People with allergies to ragweed, chrysanthemums, or plants in the Compositae family may be more likely to develop a chamomile allergy. Applying chamomile directly to the skin may be more likely to elicit an allergic reaction than drinking the tea.

If you want to try chamomile for a health issue, consider speaking with your doctor Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source . Your doctor can make sure chamomile won’t interfere with any medications you’re taking. Your doctor can also identify if you require any tests or treatments for the issues you’re wanting to take chamomile for.