Overview
About Chamomile tea
Chamomile tea is usually reached for to calm the stomach, but for two groups of people it can do the opposite.
First, chamomile is a daisy-family (Asteraceae) plant closely related to ragweed and mugwort, so people with ragweed or mugwort pollen allergy can cross-react to it with sneezing, itching, swelling or, rarely, anaphylaxis. Second, despite its gentle reputation it is high FODMAP: the steeped flowers give up polyols and fructose into the water, so a strong cup can bloat an IBS gut. It is caffeine-free and mildly anti-inflammatory, so those are not the worry.
Sensitivities
How Chamomile tea scores
Watch for
What trips people up
- Daisy-family (Asteraceae) plant related to ragweed, mugwort and marigold, so ragweed-allergic people can cross-react with hay-fever-like symptoms and, rarely, a severe reaction
- High FODMAP: the steeped flowers release polyols and fructose, so a strong or repeated cup can trigger bloating and gas in IBS despite its calming reputation
- Can release some histamine in sensitive people, though its bigger allergy risk is the pollen cross-reactivity rather than histamine content
- Caffeine-free, so unlike black or green tea it is not a caffeine or oxalate concern
Diet fit
Where it fits
Swap ideas
More alternatives
FAQ
Common questions about Chamomile tea
Can I drink chamomile tea if I am allergic to ragweed?
Be cautious. Chamomile is in the same daisy family (Asteraceae) as ragweed and mugwort, and cross-reactivity is documented, so ragweed-allergic people can react with sneezing, an itchy or swollen mouth, hives or, rarely, anaphylaxis. If you have a known Asteraceae or ragweed allergy, check with your doctor before drinking it.
Is chamomile tea low FODMAP?
No. Monash classes chamomile tea as high FODMAP. The flowers release fermentable sugars including polyols into the water as they steep, so a strong cup can cause bloating and gas in people with IBS, even though the tea is often recommended to soothe digestion.
Does chamomile tea have caffeine or histamine?
Chamomile is naturally caffeine-free, which is why it is a bedtime tea. It can release some histamine in sensitive people, but its main allergy risk is the pollen cross-reactivity with ragweed and other daisy-family plants rather than its histamine content.
References
Read the background
Ratings reflect the Triggerbites ingredient database and may vary with portion size and preparation.