Is it safe to consume camomile tea, especially for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions or those taking certain medications?

Safety of Chamomile Tea Consumption

Chamomile tea is generally safe for most individuals to consume, with only minor self-limiting adverse events reported in clinical studies and rare allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. 1

General Safety Profile

• Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is one of the most consumed herbs worldwide, with millions of cups of chamomile tea drunk daily 2
• The Food and Drug Administration generally recognizes chamomile as safe for consumption 2
• A systematic review of adverse events found that chamomile is generally safe when used in controlled dosages 1
• The most common adverse events are mild gastrointestinal complications and drowsiness, which are typically self-limiting and non-serious 1

Benefits of Chamomile Tea

• Chamomile contains terpenoids and flavonoids (including apigenin, quercetin, patuletin, and luteolin) that contribute to its medicinal properties 3, 4
• It has demonstrated moderate antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, as well as significant antiplatelet activity in vitro 3
• Recent systematic reviews indicate chamomile has potential anxiolytic effects, which may be beneficial for individuals with anxiety symptoms 5
• Chamomile has been traditionally used for various ailments including inflammation, muscle spasms, menstrual disorders, insomnia, gastrointestinal disorders, and rheumatic pain 4

Special Considerations for Pre-existing Conditions

Allergies

• A small percentage of people may be sensitive to chamomile and develop allergic reactions, primarily contact allergies 2
• Individuals with allergies to plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family (daisies) should exercise caution 3
• Case reports have documented allergic reactions ranging from acute rhinitis to anaphylactic reactions in susceptible individuals 1

Perioperative Considerations

• According to the Society for Perioperative Assessment and Quality Improvement (SPAQI) consensus statement, German chamomile can be continued up to the day of surgery 2
• An RCT found modest but significant reductions in anxiety with chamomile extract exposure 2
• No data suggest any CNS effects that would interfere with anesthesia 2

Medication Interactions

• Unlike some herbal supplements (such as ginkgo, ginger, or goldenseal), chamomile is not specifically listed as having major drug interactions in perioperative guidelines 2
• However, caution should be exercised when taking chamomile with medications that have narrow therapeutic indices due to potential interactions 6

Contraindications and Precautions

• There is insufficient data regarding chamomile's safety during pregnancy and lactation, so it should be used with caution in these populations 1
• Unlike green tea, which contains caffeine that can increase blood pressure, heart rate, and susceptibility to cardiac arrhythmias, chamomile tea does not contain caffeine and does not present these cardiovascular risks 2, 6
• Unlike some herbal supplements that may affect platelet function or coagulation (such as ginger or ginkgo), chamomile is not specifically identified as having significant anticoagulant effects that would require discontinuation before surgery 2

Recommendations for Safe Consumption

• For most healthy individuals, moderate consumption of chamomile tea is safe 1
• Those with known allergies to plants in the daisy family should avoid chamomile 3
• Individuals on multiple medications or with complex medical conditions should consult their healthcare provider before regular consumption 6
• Those scheduled for surgery can continue chamomile consumption according to perioperative guidelines, unlike many other herbal supplements that require discontinuation 2