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May 28, 2025

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Tea has been praised for its soothing properties for centuries – but when it comes to stress relief, which tea is best? We asked a Functional Medicine Naturopath for her pick of the bunch.

Expert banner for Chantel Ryan.

Chantel Ryan is a Functional Medicine Naturopath and former corporate lawyer. The founder of Real Functional Health, she helps busy women and professionals recover from burnout, balance hormones, heal their gut and restore long-term health through functional testing and personalised wellness plans.

Mug of herbal tea with a sprig of rosemary in it.
Nature’s helper for stress. Image: Canva

Ever been told to have a cup of tea and calm down? It turns out that’s not just a throwaway line, especially if that tea is chamomile.

As a functional medicine naturopath with a former life in law, I’ve seen firsthand how stress impacts every system in the body, from hormones to digestion to sleep. And while getting to the root cause is always important, I’ve found that small daily rituals go a long way in helping the body unwind. One of my favourites? A warm cup of chamomile tea.

What is chamomile?

Chamomile is a flowering herb in the daisy family, traditionally used for its calming and digestive properties. The two main types are German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) – most common in teas – and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). Both offer gentle, natural support for the nervous system.

Why chamomile works for stress

Chamomile is widely considered a mild tranquiliser. A key compound, apigenin, binds to GABA receptors in the brain to promote relaxation without causing sedation1. It’s also caffeine-free and gut-soothing, which is ideal for people who carry stress in their digestion.

Clear mug of chamomile tea.
Chamomile is a calm-inducing classic. Image: Canva

What the research says

Chamomile’s calming effects and long history of traditional use are backed by emerging clinical evidence. A 2019 review found that chamomile extract reduced symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder and improved sleep after just two to four weeks of use2.

A 2024 review published in Clinical Nutrition Research concluded that oral chamomile intake may help reduce anxiety in a range of populations, including individuals with GAD, postmenopausal women and those experiencing menstrual-related anxiety3.

Meanwhile, a 2024 systematic review in Complementary Therapies in Medicine found that daily consumption of chamomile tea improved sleep quality, particularly by reducing nighttime awakenings and supporting sleep continuity4.

How to use chamomile tea to relieve stress

Chamomile tea works best when part of a consistent routine. I often suggest:

  • Steep for 5–10 minutes with a covered mug to trap calming oils
  • For a truly calming wind-down ritual, put your devices away and sip it slowly
  • Enhance it with lemon balm or magnesium for added calm

It can also be used as a midday pause, especially during high-stress times.

But chamomile isn’t suitable for everyone

While chamomile is gentle, it may not be the right choice for everyone. Those with allergies to ragweed or daisies, pregnant individuals, or anyone on blood-thinning medications should check with a practitioner before they sip. It’s also not recommended for infants under six months.

Cup of chamomile tea.
Keep some chamomile handy for life’s stressful moments. Image: Canva

Chamomile tea isn’t a magic cure for stress, but it’s one of the easiest, most effective ways to support your nervous system. In a world that rarely stops, a simple tea ritual can help your body remember to breathe, reset and slow down.

Sources:

  1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2995283/ ↩︎
  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31006899/ ↩︎
  3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11109927/ ↩︎
  4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39106912/ ↩︎

Do you have a go-to tea for times of stress? Leave us a comment below!

  • It makes me calm just looking at those photos! Chaomile is one of my favourite teas and I think I’d have to agree that it’s a very calming effect. Herbal teas are good all round. I am a bit of a tea addict and love to try new ones regularly.


  • My husband has always enjoyed chamomile tea. It’s his tea of choice for night time. He likes the flavour. I find it’s too fragrant for me so I usually have English Breakfast with milk at night. But now I’ve read this article, I may start trying chamomile again. The benefits outweigh the fragrant taste. I’ll have it through the day instead of night. I love the tips mentioned above! Insightful!


  • I enjoy green tea or chamomile tea. But I REALLY love good old black tea with a splash of milk. Probably not great for stress with its caffeine, but really yummy


  • I wasn’t aware chamomile was good for anxiety. I always thought it was more for stomach upsets. Good to know it has so many benefits as well as being a nice tea to drink.


  • Im very lucky. I’m not allergic to anything ( that i know of anyway) and I do love a good cup of tea. Chamomile is great to relax and unwind but I also love the “calming” tea made by love tea… which is a mix of chamomile, peppermint, lemon balm and lavender… yum 🙂


  • I really enjoy some chamomile tea. It’s a tea I have always found relaxes me at the end of the day and truely does help relieve my stress. I never knew about covering the mug though while it steeps, ill have to give that a go next time to see if it makes any difference.


  • That’s really interesting! I had no idea it had tranquiliser properties! I do like a herbal tea, however, I tend to go for flavour more than anything else and I’m not sure that I would like the taste of chamomile. Maybe if I sweeten it with honey? I do love my lavender tea!


  • It’s such a nice tea to enjoy – I love the calming properties that chamomile provides. I even find this with some of my skincare that contain calendular with similar calming properties. A great tea definitely needs to be steeped at the right temperate to really enjoy it to its full potential


  • I love Chamomile tea. So much so that I planted my own Chamomile. I have a sleepy time blend which is really good also and is made by a local herbalist that also contains Chamomile. The whole process of making a pot of Chamomile is soothing and relaxing. I like that you need not add milk, sugar or anything at all except the Chamomile – a good one to take away on holidays.


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