Herbal Caffeine Content
Do Chinese herbs contain caffeine?
We are sometimes asked if our herb formulas contain caffeine; the answer is no. Tonic herbs are able to build energy in the body by providing energetic organ systems with abundant Qi. Rather than acting as a stimulant that activates the adrenal gland, tonic herbs are like a strong super-food. In this way, the effects of tonic herbs take time to realize and are not immediate as in the case of caffeinated foods and beverages.
Certainly, some herbs do contain caffeine including: yerba mate, yaupon, and guarana. And, of course, the tea plant, Camellia sinensis contains caffeine. The most common forms of tea is black tea which generally has about 40 to 70 milligrams of caffeine per eight ounce serving while coffee has about 95 to 200 milligrams. The “healthier” anti-oxidant-rich green tea contains around 35 to 45 milligrams per eight ounce serving and white tea with only 15 to 30 milligrams per eight ounce serving.
Herbal teas such as mint, hibiscus, chamomile, ginger and lemongrass contain no caffeine at all. As they are not made from the camellia sinensis plant.
Disclaimer: These amounts of caffeine for products have been collected from a variety of sites but should be verified independently.
Service Size Caffeine (mg)
Teas
Tea, brewed
8 oz.
53 (range: 40-120)
Starbucks Tazo Chai Tea Latte (Grande) 16 oz. 100
Snapple, Lemon (and diet version) 16 oz. 42
Snapple, Peach (and diet version) 16 oz. 42
Snapple Raspberry (and diet version) 16 oz. 42
Arizona Iced Tea, black 16 oz. 32
Nestea 12 oz. 26
Snapple, Just Plain Unsweetened 16 oz. 18
Arizona Iced Tea, green 16 oz. 15
Snapple, Kiwi Teawi 16 oz. 10
Service Size Caffeine (mg)
Teas
Tea, brewed
8 oz.
53 (range: 40-120)
Starbucks Tazo Chai Tea Latte (Grande) 16 oz. 100
Snapple, Lemon (and diet version) 16 oz. 42
Snapple, Peach (and diet version) 16 oz. 42
Snapple Raspberry (and diet version) 16 oz. 42
Arizona Iced Tea, black 16 oz. 32
Nestea 12 oz. 26
Snapple, Just Plain Unsweetened 16 oz. 18
Arizona Iced Tea, green 16 oz. 15
Snapple, Kiwi Teawi 16 oz. 10
Caffeine in the form of coffee is not all bad; It wakes up the brain, improves concentration, relieves stress, and contain chemical constituents may also help you live longer. However, there are some down sides as it is an addictive substance and can cause dehydration, trouble sleeping, and anxiety for some; headaches and nervousness is not uncommon during withdrawal of coffee. Additionally, constantly stimulating the adrenals can lead to adrenal exhaustion, a serious chronic condition that takes years to recover from.
Coffees Service Size
Caffeine (mg)
Coffee, generic brewed 8 oz.
133 (range: 102-
200)
(16 oz. = 266)
Starbucks Brewed Coffee (Grande) 16 oz. 320
Einstein Bros. regular coffee 16 oz. 300
Dunkin' Donuts regular coffee 16 oz. 206
Starbucks Vanilla Latte (Grande) 16 oz. 150
Coffee, generic instant 8 oz. 93 (range: 27-173)
Coffee, generic decaffeinated 8 oz. 5 (range: 3-12)
Starbucks Espresso, doppio 2 oz. 150
Starbucks Frappuccino Blended Coffee Beverages,
average 9.5 oz. 115
Starbucks Espresso, solo 1 oz. 75
Einstein Bros. Espresso 1 oz. 75
Espresso, generic 1 oz. 40 (range: 30-90)
Starbucks Espresso decaffeinated 1 oz. 4
Caffeine can be hidden in foods, snacks and other places where you would not expect to encounter the substance. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t require manufacturers to list caffeine content on nutrition labels, so it may show up in odd places. The better known sources of caffeine besides coffee include sodas (even non-cola sodas) and energy drinks; but many people do not realize that even decaf coffee contains significant amounts of caffeine. Some other sources include: chocolate, ice cream, energy waters, alcoholic beverages, food and breath fresheners. It is not too surprising to find caffeine in weight loss pills, but it is also in over-the-counter pain relievers as such:
Over-The-Counter Drugs Service Size Caffeine (mg)
NoDoz (Maximum Strength) 1 tablet 200
Vivarin 1 tablet 200
Excedrin (Extra Strength) 2 tablets 130
Frozen Desserts
Service Size Caffeine (mg)
Ben & Jerry's Coffee Heath Bar Crunch 8 fl. oz. 84
Ben & Jerry's Coffee Flavored Ice Cream 8 fl. oz. 68
Haagen-Dazs Coffee Ice Cream 8 fl. oz. 58
Haagen-Dazs Coffee Light Ice Cream 8 fl. oz. 58
Haagen-Dazs Coffee Frozen Yogurt 8 fl. oz. 58
Haagen-Dazs Coffee & Almond Crunch Bar 8 fl. oz. 58
Starbucks Coffee Ice Cream 8 fl. oz. 50-60
Chocolates/Candies/Other Service Size Caffeine (mg)
Jolt Caffeinated Gum 1 stick 33
Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Bar 1.45 oz. 31
Hershey's Chocolate Bar 1.55 oz. 9
Hershey's Kisses 41g (9
pieces) 9
Soft Drinks with the most to least caffeine:
Service Size Caffeine (mg)
FDA official limit for cola and pepper soft drinks 12 oz. 71
Vault 12 oz. 71 (20 oz. = 118)
Jolt Cola 12 oz. 72
Mountain Dew MDX, regular or diet 12 oz. 71 (20 oz. = 118)
Coke Blak 12 oz. 69 (20 oz. = 115)
Coke Red, regular or diet 12 oz. 54 (20 oz. = 90)
Mountain Dew, regular or diet 12 oz. 54 (20 oz. = 90)
Pepsi One 12 oz. 54 (20 oz. = 90)
Mellow Yellow 12 oz. 53
Diet Coke 12 oz. 47 (20 oz. = 78)
Diet Coke Lime 12 oz. 47 (20 oz. = 78)
TAB 12 oz. 46.5
Pibb Xtra, Diet Mr. Pibb, Pibb Zero 12 oz. 41 (20 oz. = 68)
Dr. Pepper 12 oz. 42 (20 oz. = 68)
Dr. Pepper diet 12 oz. 44 (20 oz. = 68)
Pepsi 12 oz. 38 (20 oz. = 63)
Pepsi Lime, regular or Diet 12 oz. 38 (20 oz. = 63)
Pepsi Vanilla 12 oz. 37
Pepsi Twist 12 oz. 38 (20 oz. = 63)
Pepsi Wild Cherry, regular or diet 12 oz. 38 (20 oz. = 63)
Diet Pepsi 12 oz. 36 (20 oz. = 60)
Pepsi Twist, diet 12 oz. 36 (20 oz. = 60)
Coca-Cola Classic 12 oz. 35 (20 oz. = 58)
Coke Black Cherry Vanilla, regular or diet 12 oz. 35 (20 oz. = 58)
Coke C2 12 oz. 35 (20 oz. = 58)
Coke Cherry, regular or diet 12 oz. 35 (20 oz. = 58)
Coke Lime 12 oz. 35 (20 oz. = 58)
Coke Vanilla 12 oz. 35 (20 oz. = 58)
Coke Zero 12 oz. 35 (20 oz. = 58)
Barq's Diet Root Beer 12 oz.
Barq's Root Beer 12 oz. 22 (20 oz. = 38)
7-Up, regular or diet 12 oz.
Fanta, all flavors 12 oz.
Fresca, all flavors 12 oz.
Mug Root Beer, regular or diet 12 oz.
Sierra Mist, regular or free 12 oz.
Sprite, regular or diet 12 oz.
Energy Drinks
Service Size
Caffeine (mg)
Spike Shooter 8.4 oz. 300
Cocaine 8.4 oz. 288
Monster Energy 16 oz. 160
Full Throttle 16 oz. 144
Rip It, all varieties 8 oz. 100
Enviga 12 oz. 100
Tab Energy 10.5 oz. 95
SoBe No Fear 8 oz. 83
Red Bull 8.3 oz. 80
Red Bull Sugarfree 8.3 oz.. 80
Rockstar Energy Drink 8 oz. 80
SoBe Adrenaline Rush 8.3 oz. 79
Amp 8.4 oz. 74
Glaceau Vitamin Water Energy Citrus 20 oz. 50
SoBe Essential Energy, Berry or Orange 8 oz. 48
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.