Chamomile tea: study aid or sleep trap? Uncover insights from the viral exam care pack debate

It’s that time of the year again - final exams for learners and students across the country. 

With stress levels high, many families and friends prepare exam care packs to encourage and support students through this demanding period.

Exam care packs are meant to lift spirits and help with focus and motivation. They often include essentials such as pens, highlighters and sticky notes; energy boosters like snacks and drinks; and small comforts such as tea bags, chocolates or homemade treats.

However, one particular care pack has sparked lively debate on social media.

Posted by X user @PhathekaPat, the pack included items like iced tea, highlighters, biscuits, chips and crackers. But it was one small item - chamomile tea bags - that caught everyone’s attention.

The post was later shared by @AdvKindness, who added the caption: “Chamomile tea for an exam care pack? The way I’d sleep on that study desk and even miss that exam!” 

The post quickly went viral, attracting thousands of views, likes and comments as users debated whether chamomile tea belonged in a student’s study kit. 

Some found the inclusion amusing.@tammyscotch wrote, “I’m already sleepy just looking at that picture.”@zaza_sunshine added, “It reminds me of the night before my honours thesis submission. Someone told me it makes you calm. I passed out and woke up three hours before the deadline when I planned to study all night!”

Others defended the choice, saying chamomile tea could actually help.@LeeMpaki commented, “It’s best for winding down after studying or to prepare for the next day with a calmer, rested mind.”

@chulu wrote, “A cup before my matric exams did wonders. It helped calm my nerves.”

@t_thatomokhele explained, “Chamomile promotes sleep and reduces anxiety. You need good rest so your mind functions well, and you want to reduce panic before the exam.”

In response to the comments, @PhathekaPat, who originally shared the pack, defended the choice.

“Try it in your next exam or study the benefits of it. Long days of studying can be stressful - it calms you down and reduces anxiety. Sometimes, just Google these easily available benefits.”

@AdvKindness replied, “I’m aware of the benefits of chamomile, but we all react differently. I fall asleep immediately after drinking it, so it’s not ideal for me during exam season.”

Health experts generally agree that chamomile tea has calming effects. It contains apigenin, a natural compound that promotes relaxation, reduces anxiety and improves sleep quality.

Dietitian Mbali Mapholi told “Independent Media Lifestyle” that chamomile tea is an ideal inclusion in a care pack for stress relief during exam periods.

To get the best results, experts recommend steeping a chamomile tea bag in hot water for about five to seven minutes and drinking it roughly an hour before bed - without added sugar.

So, should students drink chamomile tea while studying? Probably not - its relaxing effects can make you drowsy when you need to stay alert.

But as a drink to help unwind after long study sessions or before bed, chamomile tea is a smart, natural way to reduce exam-related stress and prepare the mind for better rest and focus the next day.