Herbal Tea Allergy and Cross-Reactions (Daisy Family, Celery Family and More)
How allergy to herbal tea can happen, why chamomile is linked to daisy-family and pollen allergies, what officials say, and the signs of a severe reaction that need 911.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
Read this first: signs of a severe allergic reaction
Anaphylaxis is a whole-body allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. MedlinePlus lists symptoms that include swelling of the face, eyes or tongue, difficulty breathing, coughing or wheezing, and says symptoms usually develop within seconds or minutes. [1] NHS describes it as happening very quickly. [2]If you or someone near you has these signs after a tea or extract, call 911 right away (in the US). MedlinePlus advises calling 911 or the local emergency number immediately. [1] Other countries have different numbers; see emergency quick reference. Milder reactions (an itchy mouth, a rash, stomach upset) should still be discussed with a clinician before you drink the tea again.
How allergy to a tea can happen
Herbal tea is made from plant material, and plants carry proteins that some immune systems react to. A reaction can follow the first cup or a later one. NHS says food-allergy symptoms may start straight after eating or days later. [3] NHS also notes that most food-allergy symptoms are not serious but can be serious for some people. [3]An allergy to one plant can also cause a reaction to a related or similar plant. This is called cross-reactivity. It is why a person who reacts to one pollen may react to a tea that has no pollen in it.
Chamomile and the daisy family
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla, daisy family, Asteraceae) is the tea most often discussed.- NIH: people are more likely to react to chamomile if they are allergic to related plants such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds or daisies. Side effects are uncommon but can include allergic reactions, even severe ones and anaphylaxis. [4]
- European regulators (EMA, 2015): chamomile flower medicines must not be used in people allergic to matricaria flowers or other plants of the daisy (Asteraceae/Compositae) family. The agency adds that allergic reactions, sometimes severe, have been reported after contact of liquid chamomile preparations with the lining of the mouth, and says how often this happens has not been established. [5]
- Case reports: a 2018 report describes a man who was hospitalized with itching of the palms, swelling of the eyelids, upper lip and nose lining and a narrowed throat after chamomile tea; a skin prick test confirmed a type I (immediate) allergy. [6] A 2019 report describes anaphylaxis from chamomile tea in a patient with mugwort pollen allergy. [7] Single cases show that it can happen. They do not show how often.
For the full tea profile, see chamomile tea.
Cross-reactions that sources describe
| If you are allergic to... | Sources describe reactions to... | Form and strength of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Ragweed, daisies, chrysanthemums, marigolds | Chamomile [4] | NIH safety statement; likelihood, not a certainty |
| Ragweed and related plants | Feverfew [8] | NIH safety statement about the herb in general; not specific to tea |
| Mugwort pollen | Chamomile (a "mugwort-chamomile" association) [9]; one reported chamomile-tea anaphylaxis [7] | Review of pollen-food syndromes; a single case report |
| Celery or spices, with mugwort pollen allergy | The "celery-mugwort-spice syndrome" is described, with symptoms from an itchy mouth to severe anaphylaxis [10][9] | Reviews; they describe foods, not specific teas |
A review also lists a "hop-celery association". [10] Hops are a tea ingredient in some blends; see hops tea.
Fennel, anise and caraway teas (celery family): Proper evidence not found. We searched PubMed for fennel tea and anise tea with allergy and found no human report linking them to celery or mugwort cross-reactions. This is a gap in what we found, not proof that no one reacts. If you have a known celery or mugwort allergy, ask an allergist about teas made from celery-family seeds. See fennel tea.
Blends, labels and hidden ingredients
Blends can include plants the front of the box does not mention. Read the ingredient list with the botanical names and ask the maker or a pharmacist if a name is unclear. See reading an herbal tea or tincture label and blends and what labels hide. The safety guide on allergies and plant product cross-reactions covers more plants.What a reader can safely do
- If you have a known pollen, daisy-family or celery allergy, ask an allergist or pharmacist before trying a new herbal tea.
- Stop and get medical care if a reaction starts; call 911 for severe signs.
- Keep the box or bag so the ingredients can be checked. Report reactions as described in what to do after a reaction.
- Do not rely on "natural" or "gentle" as proof of safety.
Frequently asked questions
Can I be allergic to chamomile tea?
Yes. NIH lists allergic reactions, including severe ones and anaphylaxis, as possible side effects, and case reports describe reactions to the tea itself. [4][6]
Does ragweed allergy mean I should avoid chamomile tea?
NIH says people are more likely to react to chamomile if they are allergic to related plants such as ragweed. [4] It does not say everyone with ragweed allergy will react. Ask an allergist.
What are the signs of a serious allergic reaction to tea?
MedlinePlus lists swelling of the face, eyes or tongue, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and says to call 911 or the local emergency number immediately. [1]
Is fennel tea safe if I am allergic to celery?
Proper evidence not found. Our searches did not find reports on fennel tea and celery allergy. Ask an allergist.
Could an allergy reaction come days later?
NHS says food-allergy symptoms may begin straight after eating or days later. [3] Any sudden swelling or trouble breathing is an emergency.
References
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Anaphylaxis. Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS (England). Anaphylaxis. Page last reviewed 21 June 2023. Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS (England). Food allergy. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Chamomile: Usefulness and Safety. Read 2026-10-23.
- European Medicines Agency (EMA), Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). Herbal medicine: summary for the public, matricaria (chamomile) flower, EMA/490629/2015, 20 October 2015. Read 2026-10-23.
- Wahl S et al. Anaphylactic reaction to camomile tea (case report, in German). Hautarzt, 2018. Abstract read 2026-10-23.
- Nakagawa M et al. A case of anaphylactic reaction to chamomile tea in a patient with mugwort pollinosis. Allergol Int, 2019 (case report; the PubMed record has a title but no abstract). Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Feverfew: Usefulness and Safety. Read 2026-10-23.
- Popescu FD. Cross-reactivity between aeroallergens and food allergens. World J Methodol, 2015 (review). Read 2026-10-23.
- Egger M et al. Pollen-food syndromes associated with weed pollinosis: an update from the molecular point of view. Allergy, 2006 (review). Read 2026-10-23.