How Much Caffeine Does Herbal Tea Have? A Complete Breakdown

Last Updated on February 11, 2025 by Helena Akter

Ever wondered, how much caffeine does herbal tea have? If you’re trying to avoid caffeine, figuring out which teas are safe can be confusing. You might be surprised to know that some ‘herbal’ teas can contain caffeine.

Herbal tea, usually caffeine-free, is made from natural ingredients like flowers, leaves, and roots. However, teas like yerba mate, guayusa, kola nut, and guarana contain caffeine. Besides, long-used teas like tulsi and mountain tea are prized for their flavor and health properties.

Nonetheless, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the caffeine content in herbal teas. You’ll know which herbal blends are naturally caffeine-free and learn which ones might carry more caffeine than expected.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Ancient Origins: Herbal teas have been used for thousands of years across different cultures, with examples from ancient China, Egypt, and India. Popular teas like mountain tea, tulsi, and spicebush tea have long histories of use for health benefits.
Caffeine-Free: Most herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free. However, some can contain small traces of caffeine when blended with ingredients like guarana, kola nut, or yerba mate. So, always check labels to avoid caffeine.
Herbal Tea vs. Other Teas: Unlike black, green, and white teas, herbal teas typically have zero caffeine, except for some types like yerba mate and guarana, which have higher caffeine content.

Origins of Different Types of Herbal Tea

It’s hard to say exactly when people first started drinking herbal tea. Many different cultures around the world have been using herbs in hot water for health reasons for a very long time.

China and Egypt are two examples of ancient civilizations that did this. Some herbal teas have a very long history. For example —

Mountain Tea

Mountain tea is a popular drink in the Balkans and other parts of the Mediterranean. It’s made from a type of mint called Sideritis syriaca that grows in warm places above 3,000 feet.

Surprisingly, people have been using mountain tea for over 2,000 years.

Spicebush Tea

Native Americans thought spicebush was a good plant for health. They used it to get warm and sweat. During the Civil War from 1861 to 1865, people drank spicebush tea instead of coffee. It was also good for treating fevers, colds, and diarrhea.

After a long winter, people made a special drink from Spicebush called a “spring tonic”.

Holy Basil or Tulsi Tea

Tulsi, also known as holy basil, has been used in India for more than 5,000 years. People make herbal tea by steeping dried tulsi leaves. In Ayurveda, tulsi tea is valued for its health benefits. Originally from India, tulsi is considered sacred in Hinduism.

Plus, people have called it ‘The Elixir of Life’, ‘Liquid Yoga’, and ‘Queen of the Herbs’. In fact, The Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine has highlighted Tulsi for its various health benefits, such as reducing blood sugar and improving cholesterol levels. [1]

The Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine has highlighted Tulsi for its various health benefits, such as reducing blood sugar and improving cholesterol levels

Does Herbal Tea Have Caffeine?

No, most herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free. But sometimes, they might contain small traces if combined with plants like guarana or yerba mate, which naturally have caffeine.

Additionally, some teas marketed as “herbal” could include a small amount of traditional tea leaves. Now, they can add a bit of caffeine.

So, if you’re worried about caffeine, you must check the label or reach out to the brand for confirmation. In general, herbal teas are safe for those who want to avoid caffeine and can be enjoyed without concern.

What Constitutes Herbal Tea?

Now, the answer to the question is herbal tea caffeine free lies in the formation of this tea. See, you can make herbal tea with different herbs and plants that naturally don’t have caffeine.

Common ingredients include —

Flowers like chamomile, lavender, jasmine, hibiscus, etc.
Leaves such as mint, lemon balm, lemongrass, etc.
Roots like ginger, dandelion, licorice, etc.
Even bark, seeds, and fruit.

The many different ingredients in herbal teas give them a wide range of tastes and health benefits without the caffeine shot!

Herbal Tea Compared to Other Teas

The caffeine in a cup of tea can vary depending on how much tea you use, how long you steep it, and how hot the water is. Now, we use common caffeine amounts you might get when making tea at home.

Tea	Caffeine (8-ounce per Cup)
Black Tea	50 to 90 mg [2]
Green Tea	30 to 50 mg [3]
White Tea	14 to 61 mg [4]
Rooibos (Red Bush)	0mg
Herbal Tea	0mg

Which Type of Herbal Tea has the Most Caffeine?

Here are some examples of herbal teas and how much caffeine they might have —

Yerba Mate

Yerba Mate is a popular drink in South America made from the leaves of a plant called Ilex paraguariensis.

One cup of Yerba Mate has about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee, around 80 mg. However, people often add more water to their Yerba Mate, so they might get more caffeine than they think. [5]

Kola Nut

The kola nut comes from the kola tree, native to Africa. It contains a range of compounds, including catechins, theobromine, procyanidins, and significant levels of caffeine. [6]

Depending on the variety and how kola nut is processed, the caffeine content can range from 1.5% to 3.8%. [7]

Guarana

Guarana, a plant from the Amazon, is often used in energy drinks, supplements, and teas.

Studies from 2023 show that pure guarana has much more caffeine than espresso. In fact, guarana can have up to 5.3% caffeine, while espresso only has about 0.21%. [8]

Guayusa

Guayusa is a tea made from the leaves of a tree that grows in the Amazon rainforest in South America. It has about 19 mg of caffeine per gram. [9]

A cup of guayusa tea, made with one teaspoon of dried leaves, has about 40 mg of caffeine. [10]

Final Words

So, how much caffeine does herbal tea have? Well, most herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free. So, they’re a great choice for those avoiding caffeine.

However, teas like yerba mate, guarana, and kola nuts do contain caffeine, so it’s important to check labels. We’ve studied the history of herbal teas, from tulsi in India to mountain tea in the Mediterranean.

As more people turn to caffeine-free options, knowing the right herbal teas can help you make better choices for your well-being.

FAQs

How can I be sure my herbal tea is caffeine-free?

To ensure your herbal tea is caffeine-free, carefully read the label or reach out to the manufacturer if you’re unsure. For peace of mind, stick to popular caffeine-free choices like chamomile or mint.

Are herbal teas hydrating?

Yes, herbal teas are hydrating because they don’t contain caffeine, which is what causes dehydration in other teas. In fact, drinking herbal tea is similar to drinking water, so feel free to enjoy it as much as you like.

How much herbal tea is safe to drink?

You can safely drink 3 to 4 cups of herbal tea a day, as long as you’re not sensitive to any particular plant used in the tea. However, some herbal teas might not mix well with certain medications or health issues. Some studies suggest that chamomile might affect how well certain medications work, such as warfarin (a blood thinner). [11]

How Much Caffeine Does Herbal Tea Have?

Key Takeaways