Is Chamomile Tea Bad for Osteoporosis? What Research Says

December 5, 2025 •

3 min read

Contrary to old assumptions about tea and calcium absorption, preliminary research, including a 2010 scientific study on cell growth, suggests chamomile tea may not be bad for osteoporosis but could offer protective benefits. This emerging evidence sheds light on the complex relationship between herbal remedies and bone health.

Quick Summary

Chamomile tea is not harmful for osteoporosis; animal and lab studies indicate potential bone-protective effects. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may help reduce bone density loss, though human research is still needed.

Key Points

Not Detrimental: Chamomile tea is not bad for osteoporosis and is naturally caffeine-free, eliminating common concerns about caffeine's effect on calcium loss.
Antioxidant Power: Its high flavonoid content, including apigenin, helps fight oxidative stress, a process that can contribute to bone density loss.
Anti-inflammatory Benefits: Chamomile's potent anti-inflammatory effects can reduce chronic inflammation, a known risk factor for osteoporosis.
Promotes Bone Formation: Animal and lab studies suggest chamomile may stimulate osteoblastic cells, which are responsible for building new bone tissue.
Requires More Research: While current findings are promising, more extensive human clinical trials are necessary to confirm chamomile's efficacy in preventing or managing osteoporosis.

Dispelling the Myth: Why Chamomile Isn't Bad for Osteoporosis

For years, some concerns linked general tea consumption to negative bone health due to caffeine's effect on calcium excretion. However, modern research on herbal teas like chamomile has largely dispelled this myth. Chamomile tea is naturally caffeine-free, and its specific compounds have shown encouraging results for bone health, rather than being detrimental. While not a cure or a replacement for medical treatment, chamomile's properties suggest a role in a bone-healthy lifestyle, especially when compared to caffeinated beverages or other potentially harmful dietary choices.

Scientific Insights into Chamomile and Bone Health

Research into chamomile's effect on bones is still in its early stages but has yielded promising results from lab and animal studies.

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Action

Combating Oxidative Stress: Flavonoids and antioxidants in chamomile, such as apigenin, combat oxidative stress, which is known to contribute to bone loss. By reducing this cellular damage, chamomile helps protect bone tissue from degradation.
Reducing Chronic Inflammation: Chronic inflammation is a significant driver of osteoporosis. Chamomile's potent anti-inflammatory properties can help mitigate this, potentially slowing the bone resorption process. Animal studies have shown chamomile extracts can significantly reduce inflammation, a core component of bone diseases.

Promoting Bone-Building Cells

Stimulating Osteoblasts: A 2010 scientific study found that chamomile could help support the growth of osteoblastic cells. These are the specialized cells responsible for forming new bone tissue. Boosting their activity is crucial for maintaining bone density and counteracting the effects of osteoporosis.

Hormone-Related Benefits

Supporting Postmenopausal Women: Osteoporosis disproportionately affects postmenopausal women due to decreased estrogen levels. Some studies suggest chamomile may possess anti-estrogenic properties that could help mitigate bone loss in this population. However, more targeted research is needed to fully understand this mechanism in humans.

Comparison: Chamomile Tea vs. Other Bone-Supporting Herbs


Herb	Key Active Compounds	Proposed Benefit for Bone Health	Research Status (Animal/Lab vs. Human)	Notes
Chamomile	Apigenin, Flavonoids, Antioxidants	May reduce inflammation, combat oxidative stress, and stimulate osteoblast activity.	Promising animal and lab studies; more human research needed.	Anti-inflammatory action is a primary benefit for bone health.
Turmeric	Curcumin	Powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may improve bone density.	Some human studies show promising results, but long-term safety needs confirmation.	Active compound is curcumin; often used in curry spices.
Red Clover	Isoflavones (phytoestrogens)	May protect against bone loss by mimicking estrogen, beneficial for postmenopausal women.	Mixed results in studies; limited evidence overall.	Contains estrogen-like compounds, which can protect bone in some cases.
Thyme	Calcium, Vitamin K	Contains vitamins and minerals that directly contribute to bone health.	Evidence suggests it may improve bone density, potentially enhanced when combined with other herbs.	Contains key bone-building nutrients; dosage is important.

How to Incorporate Chamomile into Your Routine

For individuals seeking to support bone health through dietary and lifestyle choices, chamomile tea can be a relaxing and potentially beneficial addition. Here are some simple ways to include it:

Enjoy a Bedtime Brew: A cup of caffeine-free chamomile tea before bed can promote better sleep, which indirectly benefits overall health and recovery, including bone health.
Complement a Balanced Diet: Use chamomile tea as a flavorful, anti-inflammatory beverage alongside a diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, and other essential nutrients. It should not be seen as a standalone treatment.
Choose High-Quality Products: To maximize potential benefits and minimize risks of contamination, opt for high-quality, organic tea bags or loose-leaf flowers.

Conclusion

The notion that chamomile tea is bad for osteoporosis is not supported by current research. Instead, emerging evidence points toward potential benefits, primarily driven by its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. By helping to combat oxidative stress and chronic inflammation—key factors in bone loss—and potentially stimulating bone-building cells, chamomile tea shows promise as a supportive beverage for bone health. While animal and lab studies are encouraging, more extensive human trials are needed to fully understand the effects. As always, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before incorporating any new herbal remedy, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition like osteoporosis or are taking other medications. For further reading, consult the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no definitive evidence to suggest that chamomile tea interferes with standard osteoporosis medications like bisphosphonates. However, you should always consult with your doctor or pharmacist before adding a new herbal supplement to your regimen, as interactions are possible with any medication.

Preliminary animal and laboratory studies have shown that chamomile may help increase bone density by stimulating bone-building cells. However, conclusive human research is still needed to confirm if drinking the tea can produce a significant effect on bone density in people.

Apigenin, a key flavonoid in chamomile, possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are beneficial for bone health. By reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, it may help protect against the bone loss associated with these conditions.

There is no standardized dosage, but moderate consumption (one to two cups daily) is generally considered safe for most people. Excessive use can cause mild gastrointestinal issues in some individuals. It is best to discuss long-term use with a healthcare provider.

For most people, chamomile tea has a low risk of significant side effects, especially at moderate doses. The main consideration is for individuals with allergies to plants in the Asteraceae family (e.g., ragweed), who may experience a reaction. There are no known specific negative side effects related to bone health.

Chronic inflammation can lead to increased bone resorption, where old bone is broken down faster than new bone is formed. Chamomile’s anti-inflammatory compounds can help reduce this harmful inflammatory response, thereby potentially slowing the rate of bone loss.

While both contain beneficial compounds, chamomile is caffeine-free and primarily studied for its anti-inflammatory and osteoblast-stimulating effects. Green tea contains polyphenols and catechins that may also benefit bones, but it does contain caffeine, which in large amounts can affect calcium levels.