10 Unexpected Benefits of Sipping Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea can help you sleep

It’s a classic nightcap for a reason—not only is chamomile light and subtly sweet, but the caffeine-free herb is “an ideal sleep support because it doesn’t force your body into anything; it doesn’t knock you out, sedate you, or make you drowsy,” Kluge explains. “The effect is like receiving a gentle, slow massage—subtle, comforting, and very effective.”

Science shows it help. It has been found that new moms who drank chamomile tea every day for two weeks slept better (though they weren’t able to determine if the effects lasted long-term). Also, it has been found that elderly patients who took chamomile extract slept significantly better than those who didn’t. The thought is that a flavonoid found in chamomile, apigenin, binds to receptors in the brain that may help someone become sleepy. Enjoy it about 1-2 hours before you hit the pillow (to avoid middle-of-the-night bathroom runs) and feel free to add a little milk and honey when you want to shake up the flavor profile.

It can help with digestion.

Chamomile can be clutch for problems in the digestive region because it’s antispasmodic, meaning it helps reduce spasms within the body, including the stomach and intestines. It also contains bitter compounds called sesquiterpene lactones, which trigger the pancreas to produce digestive enzymes needed to break down food.

And because of its calming effect on the body, chamomile can be particularly useful for stress-related digestive issues, like a nervous stomach (aka irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS). “So many digestive imbalances are a symptom of stress, including IBS, reflux, or diarrhea. Chamomile is a perfect herb for gently managing our stress response, so you may not experience the digestive symptoms to begin with.

Along with your anxiety.

Speaking of stress, chamomile may be helpful for those struggling with anxiety or higher-than-usual stress levels. More research is needed to understand why, but in a small study it has been found consuming chamomile extract reduced moderate-to-severe symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Scientists also need to further dig into the risks and benefits, but the Mayo Clinic says limited data has shown short-term use to be generally safe and potentially effective in reducing symptoms. Just keep in mind that chamomile may not work the same for everyone, so it’s always best to consult with your doctor before starting any sort of medical treatment plan.

Chamomile tea can make life on your period easier.

Because chamomile tea is antispasmodic, it could also help ease period cramps. A study published in the Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility found that after drinking chamomile tea twice a day during the luteal and menstrual phases of their cycles (two weeks before you get your period, along with when you actually bleed), 40 women reported experiencing fewer cramps and lower anxiety than a control group.

It can also help when you’re sick or have a cold.

“Chamomile is a lovely option if you’re feeling under the weather,” Kluge says. “It’s naturally cooling, which helps to balance an overheated state, and is calming to the digestive tract, which can get out of balance when you’re ill or recovering from being sick. You also don’t have to ingest chamomile to reap some feel-better reward. Following process may also help your respiratory health: Use 3-4 chamomile tea bags (or 4 teaspoons of loose chamomile flowers) to make up a large bowl of tea with boiling water. Once the tea has steeped for a few minutes, place your head over the bowl and a towel over your head to keep the steam in. Take a deep breath through your nose and mouth; slowly exhale. Repeat for 5-10 minutes so the steam reaches your lungs and provides relief from any discomfort.

Chamomile tea may boost your immune system.

If you want to avoid getting sick in the first place, making chamomile tea a regular part of your routine has the potential to help: a very small study had 14 volunteers drink five cups of herbal tea daily for two weeks (which is more than the average person drinks in a day). Afterward, scientists associated a significant boost in hippurate and glycine in their urine, both of which have been associated with increased antibacterial activity. However, a review of chamomile tea benefits noted: “additional studies are needed before a definitive link between chamomile and its alleged health benefits can be established.”

And it might indirectly help with weight loss.

There’s little-to-no scientific evidence proving chamomile tea can be effective for weight loss in humans, but it is a refreshing, calorie-free drink you can sip on throughout the day (so long as you don’t add sweeteners). So while there may be no magical fat-burning substance in the herbal beverage, theoretically it may be a useful pantry item when you’re trying to lose weight and want something a little more flavorful than water.