Does Essiac Tea Have Caffeine? The Simple Answer
Does Essiac Tea Have Caffeine?
If you’re wondering whether Essiac tea will keep you up at night or give you the jitters, here’s the quick answer: no. Genuine Essiac tea contains no caffeine at all. It’s an herbal blend, not a true tea, so there’s nothing in it to disrupt your sleep or spike your heart rate. Below, we’ll explain exactly why it’s caffeine-free, what’s actually in it, and whether you can safely sip it in the evening.
The Short Answer: Essiac Tea Is Caffeine-Free
Essiac tea contains zero caffeine. Although we call it a “tea,” it isn’t brewed from the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) the way green, black, and oolong teas are. Those are the plants that naturally contain caffeine. Essiac is a blend of roots, bark, and herbs — none of which produce caffeine — so every cup is 100% caffeine-free.
Why Essiac Tea Has No Caffeine
Caffeine occurs naturally in only a handful of plants, most famously the tea plant, coffee beans, cacao, and yerba mate. Essiac tea doesn’t use any of them. Instead, it’s made from a specific formula of medicinal herbs first popularized by Canadian nurse Rene Caisse. Because none of those herbs are caffeine-bearing plants, the finished infusion is naturally free of caffeine — nothing has to be removed or processed out.
What’s Actually in Essiac Tea
The authentic Essiac formula is built around eight herbs, and none of them contain caffeine:
- Burdock root
- Blessed thistle
- Kelp
- Red Clover
- Slippery elm bark
- Sheep sorrel
- Turkish rhubarb root
- Watercress
You can read more about the eight Essiac tea ingredients here.
Can You Drink Essiac Tea at Night or Before Bed?
Yes. Because Essiac tea has no caffeine, it won’t interfere with your sleep the way an evening cup of coffee or black tea might. In fact, Essiac is traditionally taken on an empty stomach, and many people find the evening — a couple of hours after dinner and before bed — a convenient time in their routine to drink it. If you’re caffeine-sensitive, this is one of the tea’s quiet advantages. Some customers even leave a serving by the side of their bed and drink it in the middle of night if they wake up to go to the bathroom. For those who have a hard time abiding by the empty stomach rules during the daytime, this method can be helpful. Because the traditional serving is 3 oz. of tea and the tea is taken cold, it's simple and quick to consume Essiac tea in the middle of the night if needed.
Essiac Tea vs. Green, Black, and Herbal Teas: Caffeine Compared
Here’s roughly how a cup of Essiac stacks up against common caffeinated drinks (per 8 oz serving):
|
Beverage (8 oz) |
Approx. Caffeine |
|
Coffee |
~95 mg |
|
Black tea |
~47 mg |
|
Green tea |
~28 mg |
|
Essiac tea |
0 mg |
As the table shows, Essiac sits at the very bottom — the same as any true herbal (non-caffeinated) tea.
Is “Caffeine-Free” the Same as “Decaf”?
Not quite. Decaffeinated tea and coffee start out with caffeine that’s then removed through processing, and they usually retain a small trace of it. Essiac tea is different: it’s naturally caffeine-free from the start because its ingredients never contained any. There’s no residual caffeine to worry about. Some people are concerned about the chemicals used to decaffinate tea. This simply isn't a concern wth Essiac.
Frequently Asked Questions About Essiac and Caffeine
No. With zero caffeine, Essiac tea has no stimulant effect and won’t keep you awake.
Yes. Many people drink it in the evening on an empty stomach. Its lack of caffeine makes it well-suited to nighttime use.
Yes. There is no reason you can't have caffeine at the same time as Essiac if you like.
Last Updated: 07/02/2026
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About the Author
Bryan Paulhus
Founder & CEO, Genuine Essiac
Bryan Paulhus is the Founder & CEO of Genuine Essiac. For more than 40 years, he has researched the authentic 8-herb Essiac formula and writes to help readers better understand its history, preparation, and quality standards.
Learn more about Bryan →