What Is Chamomile High In? Understanding Its Key Compounds

November 19, 2025 •

2 min read

Used for thousands of years in traditional medicine, many people wonder exactly what is chamomile high in, especially when its tea is so celebrated for its calming effects? The answer lies not in a rich vitamin count, but in its concentrated supply of potent plant compounds, primarily flavonoids and terpenoids.

Quick Summary

Chamomile is rich in flavonoids like apigenin, quercetin, and luteolin, as well as terpenoids such as alpha-bisabolol and chamazulene. These bioactive compounds are primarily responsible for its health-promoting benefits, far outweighing the minimal contribution from its trace minerals.

Key Points

Flavonoids: Chamomile is most notably high in flavonoids, especially apigenin, which promotes relaxation and sleep by binding to receptors in the brain.
Terpenoids: The herb's essential oil contains anti-inflammatory and antiseptic terpenoids like alpha-bisabolol and chamazulene.
Antioxidants: Beyond apigenin, chamomile contains other powerful antioxidants such as quercetin and luteolin, which contribute to its anti-inflammatory effects.
Trace Minerals: A cup of chamomile tea provides only trace amounts of minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium, and is not a significant dietary source.
Low Calorie: The brewed tea is very low in calories, making it a healthy, hydrating beverage option.
Minimal Vitamins: Vitamins are not present in significant quantities in brewed chamomile tea.
Focus on Phytochemicals: The real health power of chamomile comes from its specific phytochemicals, not its general nutritional value.

What is chamomile high in: The rich flavonoid profile

While brewed chamomile tea doesn't offer significant daily vitamins and minerals, its benefits stem from concentrated bioactive compounds, chiefly flavonoids. These polyphenolic antioxidants contribute to chamomile's calming, anti-inflammatory, and potential anti-cancer properties.

Apigenin: A primary flavonoid in chamomile, apigenin, primarily as apigenin-7-O-glucoside, is thought to be responsible for chamomile's sedative and anti-anxiety effects due to its interaction with brain receptors.
Quercetin: This flavonoid offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, potentially supporting immune and heart health.
Luteolin and Patuletin: These flavonoids add to chamomile's antioxidant activity.

Terpenoids and essential oils

Chamomile's medicinal qualities are also attributed to volatile oils containing terpenoids.

Alpha-bisabolol and Bisabolol oxides: These are major components of German chamomile essential oil, known for anti-inflammatory and antiseptic actions.
Chamazulene: This compound, derived from matricin, is another strong anti-inflammatory agent found in chamomile essential oil.

Minor mineral and vitamin content

Chamomile tea contains only minimal amounts of vitamins and minerals. While dried flowers have various micronutrients, little transfers to the tea, hence its classification as a medicinal herb rather than a major nutrient source.

Trace minerals found in chamomile tea include:

Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Manganese
Iron
Zinc

These minerals support health but aren't concentrated enough for significant daily dietary contribution. The tea is also low in calories and carbohydrates.

The benefits stemming from chamomile's rich composition

Chamomile's benefits are linked to its flavonoid and terpenoid content, which work together for various therapeutic effects.

Improved Sleep Quality: Apigenin helps relaxation and sleep.
Digestive Health: Anti-inflammatory effects can aid digestion and soothe issues like IBS.
Heart Health: Flavones may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
Blood Sugar Regulation: May assist in managing blood sugar in type 2 diabetes.
Anti-inflammatory Effects: Antioxidants fight inflammation linked to chronic issues.

Comparison of Chamomile vs. Peppermint Tea


Feature	Chamomile Tea	Peppermint Tea
Primary Active Compounds	Flavonoids (Apigenin, Quercetin), Terpenoids (Alpha-bisabolol, Chamazulene)	Menthol, Menthone, Cineole
Best For	Relaxation, sleep, anxiety relief, digestive issues like bloating, inflammation	Digestive relief (especially gas and nausea), soothing cold symptoms, focus
Notable Benefit	Calming, sedative effects due to apigenin binding to brain receptors	Soothing digestive muscles and clearing nasal passages
Flavor Profile	Floral, earthy, somewhat sweet	Pungent, refreshing, minty
Allergen Alert	Possible allergy in those sensitive to ragweed or daisies	Generally safe, but some may experience heartburn

Conclusion

Chamomile tea is high in powerful plant compounds, especially flavonoids like apigenin and quercetin, and anti-inflammatory terpenoids, rather than significant amounts of vitamins and minerals. These phytochemicals are responsible for its benefits for relaxation, sleep, and digestion. Consult a healthcare professional before regular use, particularly if pregnant, nursing, or on medication. For further details on chamomile's components and uses, resources are available from sources like NCBI.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most abundant and important bioactive compounds in chamomile are flavonoids, with apigenin being particularly notable for its calming effects. Unlike many foods, its value is in these potent plant chemicals rather than common vitamins or minerals.

No, brewed chamomile tea is not a significant source of vitamins. The concentrations that infuse into the water are minimal, with its primary health benefits stemming from its antioxidant and volatile oil content instead.

Yes, brewed chamomile tea does contain trace amounts of minerals such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium. However, these are present in very small quantities and do not make a meaningful contribution to your daily mineral intake.

Apigenin, a flavonoid in chamomile, is known to promote sleepiness by binding to specific benzodiazepine receptors in the brain. This can help reduce insomnia and promote a calming effect.

Both varieties of chamomile contain flavonoids and terpenoids, but the specific proportions can differ. German chamomile, for instance, is often cited for its higher content of the terpenoids alpha-bisabolol and chamazulene.

While chamomile has antioxidant properties, the liver and kidneys are the body's primary detoxification organs. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that chamomile tea directly 'detoxifies' the body.

Yes, chamomile has strong anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to its high levels of antioxidants like apigenin and the terpenoid chamazulene. These compounds help combat inflammation and can be beneficial for various health issues.