NPR: Caffeine in tea? Affect bedtime?

smiley2

I have an awful awful sore throat.  I'm not normally a tea drinker, but it's been making my throat feel better.  How much will drinking tea affect me before bedtime?  I normally avoid coffee (my only caffeinated beverage) after 1 or 2 in the afternoon so it doesn't keep me up....

Should I switch to just hot water this late at night?

Rebekah1021

is it herbal tea? I know all my teas that I have a decaf. I love hot tea for a sore throat.

GettinNervous

Do you have any lemon or honey you can put in hot water? I have to avoid caffeine past early afternoon also.

AnnapolisLari

There's quite a lot of caffeine in tea. I keep a box of decaf regular tea and some herbals on hand for just such a situation.

Hope that you feel better soon!

marrymemylove

I only drink English Breakfast tea. It has never affected my bedtime and I have a cup with DH around 10pm.Also, while there is sometimes more caffeine in some teas than in coffee, the tannins prevent absorption to a great extent. The amount of caffeine in your blood is probably very low.

smiley2

No, it's not herbal tea- does herbal tea not have any caffeine?  I only had one box (from when we had company).  It's black tea with some sort of orange & spice flavor.  It's really yummy, but I'm thinking black tea = lots of caffeine??

I'll switch to hot water.  I don't have any honey or lemon.  Boooo.

Thank you!

sweetie1528

just as much caffeine as coffee.  make it really light and you will be fine.  tea with honey and lemon. mmmmm

AZ_Erica

Don't know about the tea, but my mom always drinks hot water with honey for a sore throat.