Last Updated on October 2, 2026 by Helena Akter
For most herbal teas, the caffeine content is 0 mg per cup because they are made from flowers, leaves, roots, fruits, seeds, or spices that do not naturally contain caffeine.
Common herbal teas such as chamomile, peppermint, hibiscus, ginger, and rooibos are naturally caffeine free. However, not every drink sold as an herbal tea is caffeine free. Yerba mate and guayusa naturally contain caffeine, while some herbal blends may also include caffeinated ingredients such as green tea, black tea, oolong, matcha, guarana, or kola nut. CRIS
The amount of caffeine therefore depends on the ingredients in the blend, not simply on the word “herbal” on the package.
In this guide, you will learn which herbal teas are naturally caffeine free, which ones contain caffeine, how they compare with regular tea and coffee, and how to check a product if you are trying to limit caffeine.
Key Takeaways
- Most herbal teas are naturally caffeine free: Plain chamomile, peppermint, hibiscus, ginger, and rooibos generally contain no naturally occurring caffeine.
- There are important exceptions: Yerba mate and guayusa naturally contain caffeine. Guarana and kola nut can also add caffeine to herbal blends.
- Check blended teas carefully: A product described as herbal may still contain green tea, black tea, white tea, oolong, matcha, or another caffeinated ingredient.
- Caffeine amounts can vary: The amount in caffeinated teas depends on the plant, serving size, product, and brewing method.
- Caffeine free and decaffeinated are not the same: A naturally caffeine free herbal infusion starts without caffeine, while decaffeinated tea has had most of its caffeine removed and can still contain a small amount. The FDA notes that decaffeinated coffee and tea are not necessarily caffeine free.
How Much Caffeine Does Herbal Tea Have?
Most pure herbal teas contain 0 mg of caffeine because the plants used to make them do not naturally produce caffeine. Chamomile, peppermint, hibiscus, ginger, rooibos, lemon balm, and many fruit or spice infusions are common examples.
However, herbal tea is a broad category, so there are exceptions. Yerba mate and guayusa naturally contain caffeine, and ingredients such as guarana and kola nut can also contribute caffeine to a blend. Michigan State University specifically notes that most herbal teas are naturally caffeine free while yerba mate and guayusa are caffeinated exceptions. CRIS
Some products marketed as herbal blends also contain traditional tea leaves from Camellia sinensis, such as green tea, black tea, white tea, or oolong. Those blends will contain caffeine unless the tea has been decaffeinated.
If avoiding caffeine is important to you, check the complete ingredient list rather than relying only on the word “herbal.”
Why Are Most Herbal Teas Caffeine Free?
Traditional teas such as black, green, white, and oolong tea come from the plant Camellia sinensis, which naturally contains caffeine.
Herbal teas, also called herbal infusions or tisanes, are made from other plant materials. These may include:
- flowers such as chamomile and hibiscus
- leaves such as peppermint and lemon balm
- roots such as ginger and dandelion
- bark such as cinnamon
- seeds and spices
- dried fruit
Because most of these plants do not naturally contain caffeine, their infusions are caffeine free unless another caffeinated ingredient is added. CRIS
The important exception is that not every botanical infusion is caffeine free. Yerba mate and guayusa are botanical infusions that naturally contain caffeine.
Herbal Tea Caffeine Chart
| Tea or Ingredient | Typical Caffeine Status | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Chamomile | 0 mg | Naturally caffeine free |
| Peppermint | 0 mg | Naturally caffeine free |
| Hibiscus | 0 mg | Naturally caffeine free |
| Ginger | 0 mg | Naturally caffeine free |
| Rooibos | 0 mg | Naturally caffeine free |
| Lemon balm | 0 mg | Naturally caffeine free |
| Yerba mate | Contains caffeine | Amount varies with preparation |
| Guayusa | Contains caffeine | Naturally caffeinated |
| Guarana | Contains caffeine | Often used in energy blends |
| Kola nut | Contains caffeine | Naturally caffeinated |
| Herbal blend with green or black tea | Contains caffeine | Check the ingredient list |
These values describe the ingredients themselves, not every commercial product. Caffeine levels can vary by serving size, formulation, and brewing method. When a manufacturer provides a caffeine amount, use the product label as the best guide.
Herbal Tea vs Regular Tea and Coffee: Caffeine Comparison
Pure herbal infusions such as chamomile or peppermint generally contain no caffeine, while true teas and coffee naturally contain caffeine.
For context, the FDA lists typical amounts of about 37 mg of caffeine in 12 ounces of green tea, 71 mg in 12 ounces of black tea, and 113 to 247 mg in 12 ounces of regular brewed coffee. Actual amounts vary by product and preparation. U.S. Food and Drug Administration
| Drink | Typical Caffeine |
|---|---|
| Pure herbal tea such as chamomile or peppermint | 0 mg |
| Green tea, 12 oz | About 37 mg |
| Black tea, 12 oz | About 71 mg |
| Brewed coffee, 12 oz | About 113 to 247 mg |
These figures are general reference values rather than fixed amounts. Caffeine content can vary by product, serving size, amount of tea used, and brewing method.
Which Herbal Teas Contain Caffeine?
Yerba Mate
Yerba mate is made from the leaves of Ilex paraguariensis, a South American plant that naturally contains caffeine.
The amount in a prepared drink can vary considerably with the amount of yerba used, brewing time, temperature, and the traditional practice of repeatedly adding water. A review reported about 80 mg of caffeine in a 150 mL cup as one reference point, while also emphasizing substantial variation in preparation and intake. PubMed Central (PMC)
Because of that variation, it is better to treat 80 mg as an example rather than a fixed amount for every cup.
Mayo Clinic also confirms that yerba mate contains caffeine and may cause effects related to caffeine, such as sleep problems, nervousness, or a faster heartbeat in some people. Mayoclinic
Kola Nut
Kola nut comes from trees in the Cola genus and naturally contains caffeine.
The exact caffeine concentration varies by species, growing conditions, and processing, so it is more useful to identify kola nut as a caffeinated ingredient than to assign one fixed amount to every tea or blend.
If kola nut appears in the ingredient list of an herbal or energy blend, do not assume the drink is caffeine free.
Guarana
Guarana is an Amazonian plant commonly used in energy drinks, supplements, and some herbal blends.
Its seeds naturally contain caffeine, which is one reason guarana is added to products marketed for energy or alertness. The actual amount of caffeine in a finished drink depends on how much guarana the manufacturer uses.
If caffeine content is not clearly listed on the package, contact the manufacturer rather than estimating it from the ingredient name alone.
Guayusa
Guayusa is made from the leaves of Ilex guayusa, a tree native to the Amazon region. Like yerba mate, it naturally contains caffeine.
Guayusa has traditionally been consumed as a caffeinated beverage, but the amount of caffeine in a cup can vary with the quantity of leaves, brewing method, and product. PubMed
For commercial guayusa tea, check the package for serving size and caffeine information when available rather than assuming one fixed amount applies to every cup.
Can Herbal Tea Blends Contain Caffeine?
Yes. A blend can contain caffeine even when herbs are featured prominently on the front of the package.
Look for ingredients such as:
- green tea
- black tea
- white tea
- oolong
- matcha
- yerba mate
- guayusa
- guarana
- kola nut
The FDA notes that when caffeine is added directly to a packaged product, it must appear in the ingredient list. However, when caffeine occurs naturally in another ingredient, the caffeine itself may not be separately listed.
Does Steeping Herbal Tea Longer Increase Caffeine?
If an herbal tea contains no caffeine naturally, steeping it longer will not create caffeine.
For caffeinated ingredients such as yerba mate or blends containing true tea leaves, brewing conditions can affect how much caffeine moves into the water. Research on yerba mate shows that caffeine extraction can vary with brewing time, temperature, and repeated infusions. PubMed Central (PMC)
How to Tell if Herbal Tea Has Caffeine
If you are trying to avoid caffeine, check the tea in this order:
- Read the complete ingredient list.
- Look for green, black, white, or oolong tea.
- Look for matcha, yerba mate, guayusa, guarana, or kola nut.
- Check whether the package lists caffeine per serving.
- Contact the manufacturer if the amount is unclear.
Do not assume that words such as “herbal,” “natural,” “wellness,” or “energy” tell you how much caffeine is in the product.
Caffeine Free vs Decaffeinated Tea
Caffeine free and decaffeinated do not mean the same thing.
Caffeine free usually describes an ingredient that does not naturally contain caffeine, such as chamomile, peppermint, or rooibos.
Decaffeinated means the product originally contained caffeine and went through a process to remove most of it.
Decaffeinated tea can still contain a small amount of caffeine. The FDA notes the same distinction for decaffeinated coffee and tea products. U.S. Food and Drug Administration
If you need to avoid caffeine completely, a naturally caffeine free herbal infusion may be a more straightforward choice than a decaffeinated true tea.
Can You Drink Herbal Tea at Night?
Many naturally caffeine free herbal teas can be suitable evening drinks if the ingredients agree with you.
Chamomile, peppermint, rooibos, and hibiscus do not naturally contain caffeine. However, an herbal blend may still contain caffeinated ingredients, so check the label if caffeine affects your sleep.
Also remember that caffeine free does not automatically mean suitable for everyone. Herbs can have their own side effects, allergies, or medication interactions.
Who Should Be Careful With Herbal Tea?
Herbal does not automatically mean risk free.
Consider speaking with a qualified healthcare professional before using an herbal product regularly for a health purpose if you:
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- take prescription medications
- have allergies to specific plants
- have a medical condition
- are preparing for surgery
The safety profile depends on the individual herb and amount used, not simply on whether the drink contains caffeine.
For caffeinated herbal drinks, caffeine sensitivity also varies between individuals. The FDA cites 400 mg per day as an amount not generally associated with negative effects for most adults, but this is not a target and may not be appropriate for everyone. U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Final Words
Most pure herbal teas contain 0 mg of caffeine, making options such as chamomile, peppermint, hibiscus, ginger, and rooibos useful choices for people who want to avoid caffeine.
The main exceptions are caffeinated plants such as yerba mate and guayusa, along with ingredients such as guarana and kola nut. Herbal blends can also contain green, black, white, or oolong tea.
If you want to compare herbal tea with a traditional caffeinated tea, see our guide to herbal tea vs oolong tea.
The simplest rule is to check the complete ingredient list. If avoiding caffeine matters to you, do not rely only on the word “herbal” on the front of the package.
FAQs
Does chamomile tea have caffeine?
Plain chamomile tea is naturally caffeine free because chamomile flowers do not naturally contain caffeine. Check the ingredient list if it is part of a blend.
Does peppermint tea have caffeine?
Pure peppermint tea is naturally caffeine free. A peppermint blend can contain caffeine if it also includes green, black, or another caffeinated tea.
Does rooibos tea have caffeine?
Pure rooibos is naturally caffeine free and is often used as an alternative to traditional caffeinated tea.
Does hibiscus tea have caffeine?
Pure hibiscus tea does not naturally contain caffeine. Blended products can differ, so check the ingredients.
Does ginger tea have caffeine?
Pure ginger infusion is naturally caffeine free. Commercial ginger blends may contain caffeine if they include traditional tea leaves or caffeinated botanicals.
Can herbal tea keep you awake?
A naturally caffeine free herbal tea is less likely to keep you awake because of caffeine. However, blends containing yerba mate, guayusa, guarana, green tea, black tea, or other caffeinated ingredients may affect sleep.
Does steeping herbal tea longer increase caffeine?
Only if the ingredients already contain caffeine. Longer steeping cannot create caffeine in naturally caffeine free herbs.
Is caffeine free the same as decaffeinated?
No. Caffeine free usually means the ingredient naturally contains no caffeine. Decaffeinated tea originally contained caffeine and has had most of it removed, so small amounts may remain.
References
- Michigan State University Center for Research on Ingredient Safety. Herbal Tea.
Michigan State University CRIS - U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?
U.S. Food and Drug Administration - Gawron Gzella A, et al. Yerba Mate: A Long but Current History. Nutrients. 2021.
PubMed Central - Mayo Clinic. Yerba mate: Is it safe to drink?
Mayo Clinic - Wise G, et al. A critical review of the composition and history of safe use of guayusa. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.
PubMed - Gan RY, et al. Health Benefits of Bioactive Compounds from the Genus Ilex, a Source of Traditional Caffeinated Beverages. Nutrients. 2018.
PubMed
