Chamomile Tea

Overview

Chamomile tea provides apigenin, a flavonoid that binds to benzodiazepine receptors, supporting calm and sleep onset without sedation. Apigenin (from chamomile tea) binds to benzodiazepine receptors, supporting calm and sleep.

Nutritional Table (per 100 g)

Core nutrition

Nutrient	Amount per 100 g	% RDA per 100 g
Energy	1 kcal	—
Protein	0 g	—
Total fat	0 g	—
Saturated fat	0 g	—
Carbohydrates	0.2 g	—
Fibre	0 g	—

Key micronutrients

Nutrient	Amount per 100 g	% RDA per 100 g
Iron	0.1 mg	0.4%
Zinc	0 mg	0.4%
Magnesium	1 mg	0.2%
Selenium	0 µg	0%
Calcium	2 mg	0.2%
Potassium	9 mg	0.3%
Choline	0 mg	0%
Folate	1 µg	0.3%
Vitamin B12	0 µg	0%
Vitamin B6	0 mg	0%

Bioactive compounds

Values below are often from specialist compositional databases or literature, not the standard USDA panel. Asterisks (*) refer to source notes at the bottom of this section.

Compound / class	Amount per 100 g	Notes
EPA	0 mg	—
DHA	0 mg	—

Note: Bioactive-compound values vary substantially by cultivar, species, cocoa or oil percentage, processing, and brand formulation. Show quantitative values only where a defensible source exists; otherwise prefer qualitative presence statements or ranges in source notes.

Reference intakes: US Dietary Reference Intakes for adults (19–50 years; using the higher of male/female values where they differ).

Data provenance (core / micronutrient panel): USDA FoodData Central, Beverages, tea, herb, brewed, chamomile, FDC ID 174156, API, per 100 g edible portion, last checked 2026-03-14

Recipes

no recipes found

Food Context

Synergies

• Best consumed as tea in evening
• Part of sleep-supportive evening routine

Preparation

• Steep 5-10 minutes for optimal extraction
• Can be combined with other calming herbs

Substances

Substances in this food: editorial (Overview / literature) plus analytical (nutrition table).

6 substances in this food

Iron

Oxygen transport; dopamine synthesis (tyrosine hydroxylase cofactor)

Zinc

Cofactor in neurotransmission and antioxidant enzymes; dopamine modulation

Magnesium

Enzymatic cofactor (>300 reactions); neurotransmitters; mitochondria; redox balance

Calcium

Bone health; neurotransmission; interacts with vitamin D and K2

Potassium

Electrolyte for nerve transmission, muscle function, and blood pressure regulation

Vitamin B9 (Folate; 5-MTHF)

One-carbon metabolism; methylation; homocysteine recycling

References

• Apigenin (from chamomile tea): Binds to benzodiazepine receptors, supporting calm and sleep Kramer and Johnson 2024
• Herbal teas (e.g. chamomile for apigenin, lemon balm, tart cherry juice)
• Evening(Wind-down, sleep prep): Herbal teas (e.g. chamomile for apigenin, lemon balm, tart cherry juice)