What Does Chamomile Tea Do When Sick?

December 8, 2025 •

4 min read

Historically, cultures including ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks have utilized chamomile for its medicinal properties. When battling an illness, many people turn to this mild, floral herbal infusion for its potential to provide relief from common symptoms such as sore throats, stomach upset, and difficulty sleeping.

Quick Summary

Chamomile tea soothes sickness symptoms through its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. It can help calm an upset stomach, aid sleep, and provide hydration, acting as a supportive remedy during a cold or flu.

Key Points

Soothes inflammation: Chamomile contains anti-inflammatory compounds that help calm sore throats and reduce irritation throughout the body.
Relieves stomach issues: It possesses antispasmodic and carminative properties that aid digestion, relaxing digestive muscles and easing gas and bloating.
Promotes restful sleep: The antioxidant apigenin acts as a mild sedative, helping to reduce anxiety and promote better, deeper sleep, which is crucial for recovery.
Supports the immune system: Antioxidants and antibacterial properties in chamomile can provide supportive benefits to your immune system while fighting off infection.
Aids hydration and decongestion: A warm cup helps increase fluid intake, which thins mucus, and the steam can help clear stuffy nasal passages.
Boosts overall well-being: Beyond symptom relief, the calming and comforting ritual of drinking chamomile tea can help reduce stress and improve your mood when feeling unwell.

The Soothing Benefits of Chamomile Tea for Common Illnesses

When you're under the weather, a warm cup of tea can feel like a comforting hug from the inside. Among the many options, chamomile tea stands out for its well-regarded therapeutic qualities, particularly when dealing with colds, flu, and other ailments. This mild, apple-scented beverage offers more than just comfort; its active compounds work to soothe a variety of unpleasant symptoms.

Anti-inflammatory and Soothing Properties

Chamomile is known for its anti-inflammatory compounds, such as bisabolol and matricin. These properties help reduce swelling and irritation throughout the body, which can be especially beneficial for alleviating a sore throat. The warmth of the tea also provides immediate, temporary relief to the throat, while the compounds work to calm the inflammation beneath the surface. Gargling with cooled chamomile tea can also directly target throat inflammation.

Digestive Relief and Upset Stomach

Feeling nauseous or dealing with an upset stomach is a common side effect of illness. Chamomile has been used traditionally for centuries to address a range of digestive issues, including indigestion, gas, and bloating. Its antispasmodic properties can help relax the muscles of the digestive tract, easing cramps and discomfort. A cup after a meal can aid digestion and calm rumbling overnight.

Relaxes digestive muscles: The tea helps soothe stomach lining and reduces muscle spasms.
Eases bloating and gas: Its carminative properties help dispel gas from the gut.
Protects the stomach: Some research suggests it may even have a protective effect against stomach ulcers.

Immune System Support

While not a cure, chamomile tea's antioxidant and antibacterial properties can offer supportive benefits to your immune system when you're fighting an infection. Some studies have indicated that daily consumption can have an antibacterial effect, suggesting it helps the body fight off infections. These immune-boosting qualities make it a helpful part of your wellness routine, particularly during cold and flu season.

Promotes Restful Sleep

One of the most valuable things you can do when sick is get plenty of rest, and chamomile tea is renowned for its calming and sedative effects. The antioxidant apigenin in chamomile binds to certain receptors in the brain, which helps promote drowsiness and reduce anxiety. Drinking a warm cup about 45 minutes before bed allows your body enough time to metabolize the tea and for its sedative compounds to take effect, helping you achieve the deep, restorative sleep necessary for recovery.

Hydration and Decongestant Benefits

Staying hydrated is crucial when sick to help thin mucus and keep nasal passages moist. A warm, herbal infusion like chamomile tea is an excellent way to increase your fluid intake. Additionally, inhaling the steam from a hot cup of tea can act as a natural decongestant, helping to clear stuffy noses and soothe airways. Combining chamomile with other herbs can amplify these effects.

Comparing Chamomile Tea to Other Herbal Teas for Sickness


Feature	Chamomile Tea	Ginger Tea	Peppermint Tea	Green Tea
Primary Benefit	Calming, anti-inflammatory, digestive aid	Anti-nausea, anti-inflammatory, warming	Decongestant, digestive aid, refreshing	Antioxidant, immune support, stimulating
Sore Throat Relief	High, via anti-inflammatory action	High, warming and soothing	Moderate, helps numb the throat slightly	Low
Stomach Upset Relief	High, for gas, bloating, and nausea	Excellent, particularly for nausea	High, especially for IBS and gas	Low to moderate, can sometimes upset a sensitive stomach
Sleep Aid	Excellent, has sedative properties	Moderate, calming but not sedative	Low, can be stimulating for some
Immune Support	Moderate to high, via antioxidants	High, robust anti-inflammatory effects	Moderate	Excellent, high in antioxidants
Flavor Profile	Mild, floral, slightly sweet	Spicy, pungent, warming	Minty, cool, refreshing	Grassy, earthy, varied

How to Prepare Chamomile Tea for Sickness

For the best results, use high-quality dried chamomile flowers or a reputable tea bag.

Boil water: Heat 8 ounces of fresh water until it just reaches a boil.
Steep: Place 1-2 teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers or one tea bag in a mug. Pour the hot water over it.
Cover and infuse: Cover the mug to trap the steam and beneficial volatile oils. Steep for 5-10 minutes.
Strain and add extras: Strain if using loose flowers. Add honey to further soothe a sore throat or lemon for extra vitamin C and flavor.

Conclusion

When you're sick, chamomile tea provides a multifaceted and comforting natural remedy. Its ability to reduce inflammation, calm an upset stomach, support the immune system, and promote restful sleep makes it an excellent addition to your recovery regimen. While it shouldn't replace conventional medical treatment for serious conditions, it offers a gentle, effective, and soothing way to manage many common symptoms. Always listen to your body, and if you have concerns or are taking other medications, it's wise to consult a healthcare professional before incorporating new herbal remedies. Learn more about the components and potential benefits of chamomile tea.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, chamomile tea has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the swelling and irritation associated with a sore throat. The warmth of the tea also provides a soothing sensation.

Yes, chamomile is traditionally used for digestive issues. Its antispasmodic properties can relax the muscles of the digestive tract, which helps ease symptoms like gas, bloating, and nausea.

Yes, chamomile tea is known for its calming and sedative effects due to the antioxidant apigenin, which promotes drowsiness. This can be very helpful for getting the rest needed to recover from an illness.

Side effects are uncommon but can include allergic reactions in people sensitive to plants in the daisy family (e.g., ragweed). In large doses, it may cause nausea or drowsiness. Always consult a doctor if you are on medications, such as blood thinners, as interactions can occur.

For general relief, drinking 2-3 cups per day is a common recommendation. For promoting sleep, one cup about 45 minutes before bed is suggested. It's always best to listen to your body and moderate your intake.

Yes, adding honey can further soothe a sore throat, and lemon can provide extra flavor and a boost of vitamin C. This can create a more potent and effective remedy for cold symptoms.

While chamomile tea is not a primary decongestant, the steam from a hot cup can help to moisten nasal passages and thin mucus. Staying hydrated is key to managing congestion, and the tea helps with this.