Is Chamomile Safe During Pregnancy?
Updated September 12, 2026
The Answer
Chamomile warrants caution during pregnancy: occasional tea or food flavoring is lower concern than regular medicinal dosing, including high dose oral supplements, tinctures, or essential oils. This is not a blanket avoid recommendation, but pregnancy safety is not established for every preparation.
Occasional tea or food flavoring is not the same exposure as regular medicinal or concentrated oral use.
Human observational findings are limited and mixed, with reported associations not proving causation; an EMA monograph accepts German chamomile flower infusion, but that guidance does not extend to Roman chamomile or many German chamomile extracts.
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What Is Chamomile?
You may also see it listed as: camomile
Chamomile is a daisy family herb used for its calming, soothing qualities and delicate, apple like aroma. You will find it in herbal teas, food flavorings, supplements, extracts, tinctures, and essential oils, as well as skin, scalp, and hair products. German and Roman chamomile are distinct species sold under the chamomile name.
What Other Ingredients Should You Look Out for in Products With Chamomile?
A product's full ingredient list determines whether it's pregnancy-safe or not. These ingredients also appear in some of the chamomile products we analyzed and may deserve a closer look.
Retinoid
AvoidLook for retinyl palmitate in chamomile body care and bath products: it is a vitamin A derivative covered by guidance discouraging topical retinoids during pregnancy despite generally low absorption. Check the full formula for this term rather than relying on the chamomile name.
Flagged in 4 products (4.1%) in this analysis.
Licorice Root
AvoidCheck chamomile herbal tea blends for licorice root, which can supply glycyrrhizin that raises blood pressure and lowers potassium. Medicinal or regular high exposure is discouraged in pregnancy; distinguish a licorice root tea from incidental food flavoring.
Flagged in 3 products (3.1%) in this analysis.
Alcohol
AvoidLook for alcohol in swallowed chamomile herbal extracts and check whether ethanol remains in the finished product, along with its concentration and serving size. Alcohol containing oral supplements are discouraged during pregnancy; an extraction solvent mention alone does not establish residual alcohol.
Flagged in 1 product (1%) in this analysis.
Tulsi
AvoidCheck chamomile herbal tea blends for tulsi, also called holy basil. Medicinal tea and supplement use is advised against because human pregnancy data are very limited and animal reproductive studies raise concerns; distinguish these preparations from tiny culinary amounts.
Flagged in 1 product (1%) in this analysis.
Fragrance
CautionLook for fragrance, parfum, or natural fragrance: these terms can conceal scent mixture details and may matter if your skin or airways are sensitive. Fragrance free or lower fragrance options can reduce exposure, but the label alone does not prove phthalate content or pregnancy harm.
Flagged in 25 products (25.8%) in this analysis.
Valerian
CautionLook for valerian or valerian root in chamomile teas, supplements, and herbal food blends. EMA does not recommend medicinal valerian use during pregnancy because safety is unestablished; check whether the product provides a medicinal dose and whether you also use sedating medicines.
Flagged in 4 products (4.1%) in this analysis.
Does the Form or Amount of Chamomile Matter During Pregnancy?
Species and preparation matter: an EMA monograph accepts German chamomile flower infusion during pregnancy, but Roman chamomile and many German chamomile extracts do not have established pregnancy safety. Topical extracts, flower waters, and oils warrant a separate caution because direct pregnancy evidence is inadequate. Cosmetic reviews suggest low systemic concern only at assessed concentrations in formulations designed not to cause sensitization; this does not establish pregnancy safety or cover undiluted, concentrated, or medicinal preparations. Irritation and daisy family allergy are the clearest known topical concerns.
What Products Contain Chamomile?
Pregnancy Safe has looked at 621 products that have chamomile as an ingredient. The category and grade breakdowns below use 97 products whose names mention Chamomile or another name for it.
What Types of Products Contain Chamomile?
Products You May Have That Contain Chamomile
| Grade | Product | Brand | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C- | Weleda Skin Food Light Nourishing Cream Chamomile, Pansy, Rosemary & Calendula - 2.5 Fl Oz | Weleda | Skin Cream |
| C- | Dove Body Wash With Pump Anti-Stress Blue Chamomile & Oat Milk 30.6 Fl Oz | Dove | Body Wash |
| F | Bigelow Chamomile Vanilla And Honey Herbal Tea 1.18Oz (33G) | Bigelow | Herbal Tea |
| C+ | Bigelow Lavender Chamomile Probiotic Tea | Bigelow | Tea |
| C- | Dove Anti-Stress Body Wash Blue Chamomile & Oat Milk | Dove | Body Wash |
| D+ | Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser With Chamomile + Calendula - 5.0 Fl Oz | Honest Beauty | Facial Cleanser |
| D+ | Raw Shea Chamomile & Argan Oil Baby Wash & Shampoo | Sheamoisture | Baby Wash |
| C- | Dove Relax Body Wash - Lavender & Chamomile 24Hr Lotion-Soft Skin - 20 Fl Oz | — | Body Wash |
How Do Products Containing Chamomile Score?
It can be helpful to see how products containing chamomile generally score during pregnancy. This does not tell you whether your exact product is safe, but it gives you a general idea of what we found. In this breakdown of 97 products, 78% receive a C grade. A C grade means the complete formula has some pregnancy considerations, so use it sparingly and consider a higher scoring alternative when one is available.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chamomile During Pregnancy
How much chamomile tea can I drink while pregnant?
The available evidence does not establish a universal safe number of cups. Occasional tea is lower concern than regular medicinal dosing, but species and preparation still matter; lower concern is not a guarantee of safety.
Does the advice change in the first, second, or third trimester?
The available evidence does not establish a trimester specific allowance for chamomile tea. It also does not establish routine topical safety in any trimester, so later pregnancy should not be treated as permission for concentrated or medicinal use.
Are German and Roman chamomile interchangeable?
No. An EMA monograph accepts German chamomile flower infusion during pregnancy, while Roman chamomile and many German chamomile extracts do not have established pregnancy safety. Check the species and preparation rather than relying only on the word chamomile.
Does chamomile tea cause miscarriage or early labor?
Typical chamomile tea has not been shown to cause uterine stimulation. One small observational study reported more threatened miscarriage or preterm labor among regular users, but it did not prove causation; overall human findings are limited and mixed.
Can I use chamomile in a cleanser, lotion, or shampoo?
Topical chamomile warrants caution because direct pregnancy evidence is inadequate. Cosmetic reviews suggest low systemic concern at assessed concentrations in formulations designed not to cause sensitization, but this does not establish pregnancy safety. Ordinary cosmetic use is different from concentrated essential oil or medicinal exposure.
Who should pay particular attention to chamomile allergy?
If you are sensitive to ragweed, daisies, chrysanthemums, or related plants, chamomile allergy is a clearer concern than unproven claims about typical tea stimulating the uterus. Topical chamomile can also cause irritation or allergic reactions.
Can I judge a Sleepytime style tea by its chamomile content?
No. Chamomile alone cannot establish the pregnancy suitability of a blended tea. Check the complete ingredient list and the preparation; neither a calming product name nor a whole formula grade establishes chamomile's safety.
How Do We Score Products for Pregnancy Safety?
We analyze each product's ingredients and category to flag known risks and provide cautionary notices for general category safety concerns.
A - Safe
Excellent choice! All ingredients are considered safe during pregnancy.
What to do: Use with confidence.
B - Likely Safe
Pretty much safe with very minimal risk. Some ingredients may have limited pregnancy studies, but no significant safety concerns have been identified.
What to do: Use with confidence.
C - Limit
Contains ingredients with some pregnancy considerations. Research shows these ingredients may have limited safety data, potential for minor hormonal effects, or require caution based on animal studies.
What to do: Use sparingly and consider safer alternatives when available.
D - Caution
Similar to C grade but contains multiple cautionary ingredients. The combination increases overall concern.
What to do: Try to avoid if that makes you feel better. If you've already used it, no need to panic.
F - Avoid
Contains an ingredient Pregnancy Safe recommends avoiding during pregnancy. This may reflect an established risk or a precaution based on limited evidence; check the ingredient guidance and exposure context.
What to do: Do not use during pregnancy. If you've already used it, don't worry - contact your OBGYN if concerned.
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