Health Benefits of Chamomile Tea | What The Evidence Shows

Chamomile tea has been a bedtime staple for generations, but separating tradition from tested science matters if you are drinking it for a specific benefit. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) notes that chamomile is promoted for colds, indigestion, anxiety, insomnia, and other uses — yet the evidence backing each claim varies widely. What holds up best in clinical research is the calming effect, while several widely repeated benefits remain unproven.

Yes — this is the best-supported benefit in the research.

The studies vary in size and quality, and chamomile is not a substitute for prescribed treatment. For occasional nervousness or a stressful day, a cup of chamomile is a reasonable, low-risk choice.

Does Chamomile Tea Help You Sleep?

The evidence here is surprisingly thin. NCCIH states there is very little information on chamomile’s effect on insomnia, and a 2019 review located just one insomnia study — which found no benefit.

Many people still find a warm cup before bed relaxing, and that ritual alone can help signal your body that it is time to wind down. But if you are fighting chronic insomnia, chamomile is unlikely to be the fix. Sleep hygiene, consistent bedtimes, and cutting screen time before bed will do more than any tea.

What About Digestion, Immunity, and Blood Pressure?

Chamomile has a long traditional history for indigestion, stomach cramps, flatulence, and general gastrointestinal discomfort, but high-quality human evidence is limited. Review articles report anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, and anxiolytic activity — but much of that comes from in vitro or animal studies rather than robust clinical proof.

Claims to be skeptical of:

• Immune support — mainly traditional use or preclinical data, not established clinical fact.
• Blood pressure and cholesterol lowering — appears primarily in preclinical literature.
• Cancer protection — not supported by clinical evidence in humans.

Drinking chamomile as part of an otherwise healthy routine is fine, but do not expect it to treat or prevent any medical condition.

Is Chamomile Tea Safe For Everyone?

NCCIH considers chamomile likely safe when consumed orally in the amounts found in tea, and possibly safe for short-term medicinal use in adults and children. That is reassuring for most people who drink a cup or two daily.

The main caution involves allergies. Adverse reactions have been reported in people sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae family, which includes ragweed, chrysanthemums, and marigolds. If you know you react to those plants, chamomile could trigger a similar response, and you should avoid it.

Pregnant women should also be cautious with chamomile products beyond normal tea amounts, since concentrated extracts have not been studied enough in pregnancy. For a standard cup of tea, the risk is generally considered low, but it is worth mentioning to your doctor if you drink it regularly.

If you are looking for a high-quality source of chamomile, take a look at our roundup of the best Egyptian chamomile tea options, which compares top-rated brands for purity and flavor. Egyptian chamomile is prized for its sweet, apple-like aroma and higher oil content, which many tea drinkers prefer over other regional varieties. NCCIH’s chamomile fact sheet offers a useful overview of the current evidence for anyone digging deeper into the research.