Does Chamomile Tea Make You Sleepy?

From chamomile tea benefits to ways to drink and even grow it, we cover everything about how it can benefit the quality of your sleep.
By
Romeo Vitelli
Romeo Vitelli
Expert Writer
Received his doctorate in Psychology in 1987, spent fifteen years as a staff psychologist in Millbrook Correctional Centre. In 2003 went into full-time private practice. read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Medical Advisory Team
Medical Advisory Team
Includes well-known professionals, who together provide decades of sleep medicine experience that enables Talk About Sleep to fulfill its mission of creating access to high- read more
Last updated: August 13, 2023
TalkAboutSleep is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here

Chamomile tea is a herbal tea made from the dried flowers and buds of the Chamomile plant. Chamomile tea dates back to the Egyptian and Romanian eras. It is used as a natural remedy for many illnesses.

While there are different types of chamomile, only two are commonly used for tea today: Roman and German. Despite being other species, both German and Roman daisy-like flowers have comparable functions and benefits.

When used in tea, Roman chamomile has a bitter flavor, but German chamomile has a sweeter taste. German chamomile is less commonly used because it is harder to come by and grows in a smaller area.

Does chamomile tea make you sleepy? Well, if your main goal is relaxation, better sleep, and if you are also looking for relaxing muscles, both types may help. If you want a sweet tea, go for the German one.

So, Does It Make You Sleepy?

Yes, it does make you sleepy; It is commonly referred to as a mild tranquilizer or sleep aid. The antioxidant apigenin, which is abundant in chamomile tea, is responsible for the tea’s relaxing properties.

How Does Chamomile Tea Work?

Does Chamomile Tea Make You Sleepy?The chemical composition of chamomile makes it extremely good at lulling you to sleep. When Apigenin, a chemical component found in the plant extract, interacts with the GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors in the brain, it causes sleepiness.

GABA receptors bind to benzodiazepines, which are used as anti-anxiety medicines due to their soothing effects. Similarly, the apigenin in chamomile has a sedative and calming effect when it attaches to GABA receptors, which is why chamomile tea can make you sleepy.

ACTH levels are also reduced by drinking chamomile tea. The adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) increases the production of cortisol.

ACTH is linked to sleep disturbances. When your body is under stress, ACTH levels rise. One of the reasons you can’t sleep when you’re stressed is this.

In addition, poor sleepers’ ACTH levels are 71% higher. There is a strong link between ACTH and sleep.

Other Effects of Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is high in antioxidants, which may help to reduce your risk of a variety of ailments, including heart disease and cancer.

Benefits Of Chamomile Tea

  • It promotes restful sleep and alleviates insomnia:

Chamomile tea is an excellent natural remedy for people who have trouble sleeping or suffer from sleep disorders. Chamomile tea provides a calming and relaxing effect that helps you fall asleep.

  • It aids in the improvement of the immune system and metabolism:

Chamomile tea should be your go-to remedy if you frequently have colds and coughs. Chamomile tea contains antibacterial properties that aid in the strengthening and efficient functioning of the immune system. Colds and coughs can be avoided if you drink chamomile tea regularly.

  • It is used to treat infections and wounds:

Chamomile tea can be used not only as a herbal infusion but also as a topical treatment for skin lesions. A modest amount of chamomile tea applied to scrapes and burns helps speed up the healing process.Does Chamomile Tea Make You Sleepy?

  • It reduces inflammation:

Chamomile tea is high in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help maintain the heart healthy and robust. In patients with an increased risk of having heart attacks and coronary artery diseases, chamomile tea can help lower the stakes as it contains flavonoids that help reduce the risks in patients. It relieves stomach discomfort, menstrual pain and reduces muscle spasms:

Chamomile tea has anti-inflammatory effects that can assist with menstrual cramps, stomach aches, gas, bloating, and other digestive related issues. It relaxes the muscles of the uterus, hence providing pain relief. It helps minimize the severity of muscular spasms by raising glycine levels in the body.

  • It aids in the prevention of thyroid and breast cancer:

Flavonoids like apigenin, which are exceptionally effective anti-cancer compounds, are found in chamomile tea. People who consume chamomile tea daily have a lower risk of cancer, according to research. Regular consumption of chamomile tea can also help decrease malignant tumors and prevent the emergence of ailments like thyroid disease.

  • It helps prevent acne:

Chamomile tea is high in antioxidants, which aid in the battle against free radicals. As a result, it can help prevent bacteria that cause acne and skin irritations and improve general skin health.

Side Effects of Chamomile Tea

  • Vomiting: this occurs when you consume the tea in large amounts
  • Blood thinner interference
  • Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
  • Contact dermatitis or skin reactions
  • Eye irritation: this occurs when applied near the eyes
  • Hypersensitivity reactions

How Long Does Chamomile Tea Take to Help You Fall Asleep?

Does Chamomile Tea Make You Sleepy?Chamomile tea takes 1 to 1.5 hours to put you to sleep. The length of time you sleep depends on how much you drink and how quickly your body processes the sleep-inducing substances.

So, for all of the chamomile tea’s sleep-inducing benefits to kick in, you’ll need to give it some time. Chamomile tea induces sleep on several levels, each of which takes some time to kick in.

  • Chamomile tea instantly hydrates your body.
  • Five minutes after you’ve finished your tea, its warmth relaxes you and eliminates muscle tightness.
  • After 30 minutes, Chamomile tea’s components begin to relieve stress and encourage sleep.
  • In an hour or less: Chamomile tea signals your body to become tired.

This process takes a little longer, but it has the most impact. To achieve the desired results, steep the chamomile tea for around 5 minutes. To taste, modify the amount of chamomile and steep duration. Steeping the tea bags for too long may produce a bitter flavor.

Making chamomile tea is easy, though the strength of the tea will vary on your preferences. There is also a difference to be made between tea bags and loose-leaf tea.

Most teabags contain only a small amount of chamomile flower and a variety of filler teas to make up the majority of the tea. You get the complete tea experience with loose leaf tea. Chamomile tea bags offer a more diversified experience and are available in a variety of flavors.

When using a teabag, keep in mind that some water will be absorbed into the ingredients inside the bag, although not much. This is why 8 oz of water yields about the same amount of brewed tea.

However, if you make chamomile tea using loose dried flowers, they will absorb more water, which is why you should add an extra ounce of water.

Did you know that you can harvest chamomile of your own for making tea? The video below explains the process.

Final Thoughts

Chamomile tea is one of the world’s most popular herbal tea and is widely praised for not just its lovely flavor and scent but also for its numerous health advantages. Chamomile tea is high in antioxidants and other flavonoids, which offer a wide range of health benefits.

Does chamomile tea make you sleepy? Chamomile tea is an excellent natural remedy for people who have difficulty sleeping or suffer from sleep disorders. Chamomile tea provides a calming and relaxing impact that helps you sleep. Chamomile tea is helpful for sleep and can help you with sleep problems if you drink it regularly.

If the soothing scent of chamomile appeals to your senses, consider complementing your tea-drinking experience with a bouquet of beautiful chamomile flowers. Opt for flower delivery and let a bouquet of these delightful blooms not only delight your sense of smell but also add visual joy to your surroundings.

So go ahead and look up some chamomile tea recipes, curl up in a warm bed, and sip your tea.

 

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

X