The Potential Benefits and Side Effects of Sleepytime Tea

5 Possible Side Effects of Sleepytime Tea

5 Possible Side Effects of Sleepytime Tea
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Updated on August 7, 2025
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Celestial Seasonings' Sleepytime tea is a much-loved nighttime remedy of an herbal blend that includes chamomile, spearmint, and tilia flowers, among others. There are over a dozen types of Sleepytime tea, all geared toward getting a more restful night's sleep.

Sleepytime tea was created to calm and soothe the system before bedtime, using an all-natural blend of herbs. While there are benefits to drinking herbal teas, they can also potentially create side effects in some individuals with allergies or sensitivities.

Registered dietitian Moushumi Mukherjee, RDN, who is based in East Lansing, Michigan, weighs in here on the benefits of drinking Sleepytime tea and possible side effects.

Benefits of Drinking Sleepytime Tea

Here are some potential benefits of drinking Sleepytime tea. Note that most of the research cited here has studied the ingredients found in Sleepytime tea rather than testing use of the tea itself.

It May Help You Relax

The main herb in Sleepytime tea that is often promoted for relaxation and sleepiness is chamomile, which Mukherjee says has a sleep-inducing effect. Drinking tea, in general, helps relax and soothe the brain and body, Mukherjee says.

While chamomile is oft-touted for its bedtime benefits, the research connecting the herb to better sleep is less clear. A review published in June 2019 found that chamomile improved sleep quality in multiple studies.

 But the type of chamomile used for the studies included topical and oral chamomile, which may not be generalized to the amount or type found in tea.

It May Help With Anxiety

Preliminary studies suggest chamomile may help with anxiety, but this is largely inconclusive.

Sleepytime tea also contains the herb tilia, which Mukherjee says can help with inflammation, colds, and anxiety. Tilia is sometimes referred to as linden. According to a review article, it has historically been used in Mexico and other places as an herbal medicine to help with stress, anxiety, and insomnia.

5 Side Effects of Sleepytime Tea

Additionally, here are some possible side effects to be aware of that may be linked to drinking Sleepytime tea. Note that some side effects are only related to ingredients in certain varieties of Sleepytime tea.

1. It May Give You a Headache

An ingredient in one variety of Sleepytime tea (Sleepytime Extra) is an herb called valerian. “Valerian has been shown to cause headaches, dizziness, and upset stomach, specifically when taken over long periods of time,” Mukherjee says.

Valerian may leave you drowsy in the morning when you wake up and may produce vivid dreams.

Tea with valerian should not be taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding because its safety is not known.

2. It Might Make You Drowsy

This may be the entire reason you are drinking Sleepytime tea, but Sleepytime Extra contains a warning on the box that you should not drive or operate machinery after drinking the tea. This could be a problem if you accidentally drink your Sleepytime tea during the day.

3. Long-Term Use May Affect Your Heart

For those with heart conditions, it is not advised to take in licorice, which is part of the Sleepytime Throat Tamer blend.

 It is unknown, however, if the amount of licorice in the tea is enough to cause concern.

4. It Can Interact With Certain Medications

Herbs are tricky, and depending on which Sleepytime herbal blend you choose, you might have an unintended interaction.

Stinging nettle, found in Sleepytime Sinus Soother, may interact with conditions including blood clotting, blood pressure, and blood sugar.

5. It Might Trigger Allergies

Most of the herbs contained in the blends of Sleepytime tea are safe, but it is possible to have an allergy to one or more of the herbs. For example, individuals who are allergic to daisies may also be allergic to chamomile. Others can be allergic (and in some cases have severe reactions) to echinacea, which is found in some varieties of Sleepytime tea.

How Long Does Sleepytime Tea Take to Kick In?

The time it will take your tea to kick in depends on a few factors, the amount of time between your last meal, your own metabolism, and how strong you brew your tea (or the amount of time you let your tea steep).

It's recommended that you steep your tea for a full five minutes to gain the most benefit, but the time it takes to feel the effects could take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes.

As is true with nearly all sleep aids, the routine you keep at night matters, too. Try the following tips for better sleep:

  • Stay off the phone, television, or computer while trying to fall asleep.
  • Exercise during the day and not close to bedtime.
  • Use low light in the evening.
  • Avoid caffeine late in the day.
  • Aim to sleep and wake around the same time each night and day.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Hieu TH et al. Therapeutic efficacy and safety of chamomile for state anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia, and sleep quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials and quasi-randomized trials. Phytotherapy Research. June 2019.
  2. Chamomile. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. November 2024.
  3. Rodriguez-Fragoso L et al. Risks and Benefits of Commonly used Herbal Medicines in México. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology‌. October 12, 2007.
  4. Valerian. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. May 2025.
  5. Licorice Root. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. April 2025.
  6. Nettle. University of Rochester Medical Center.
  7. Echinacea. National Center for Integrative and Complementary Medicine. November 2024.
  8. Sleep Tips: 6 Steps to Better Sleep. Mayo Clinic. January 31, 2025.
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Kayli Anderson, RDN

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Kayli Anderson has over a decade of experience in nutrition, culinary education, and lifestyle medicine. She believes that eating well should be simple, pleasurable, and sustainable. Anderson has worked with clients from all walks of life, but she currently specializes in nutrition therapy and lifestyle medicine for women. She’s the founder of PlantBasedMavens.com, a hub for women to get evidence-based, practical, and woman-centered guidance on nutrition and cooking, hormone health, fertility, pregnancy, movement, mental well-being, nontoxic living, and more.

Anderson is board-certified in lifestyle medicine and serves as lead faculty of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine’s (ACLM) "Food as Medicine" course. She is past chair of the ACLM's registered dietitian member interest group, secretary of the women's health member interest group, and nutrition faculty for many of ACLM's other course offerings. She is the coauthor of the Plant-Based Nutrition Quick Start Guide and works with many of the leading organizations in nutrition and lifestyle medicine to develop nutrition content, recipes, and educational programs.

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She received a master's degree in nutrition and physical performance and is certified as an exercise physiologist and intuitive eating counselor. She's a student of herbal medicine and women's integrative and functional medicine. She lives with her husband in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, where you’ll find her out on a trail or in her garden.

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Sarah Pflugradt is a registered dietitian with a PhD in Health and Human Performance. Sarah has authored two books, Live to Eat Well and Better Daily Weight Loss Habits. Sarah's website, Sarah Pflugradt Nutrition, provides easy healthy food ideas, and Fueling Active Kids is a performance nutrition resource for coaches and parents of active kids.

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