Culture Craze
Chamomile Tea Sparks Viral Exam Debate: Study Aid or Sleep Trap?
The Exam Season Essential No One Saw Coming
It’s exam time again across South Africa, and as always, families and friends are pulling out all the stops to cheer on their students. Exam care packs are popping up everywhere, thoughtful bundles filled with stationery, snacks, and sometimes even little surprises meant to help calm nerves and boost focus.
But this year, one particular care pack had Mzansi laughing, debating, and sharing their own stories after a single item inside went viral: chamomile tea.
When Calm Turns Controversial
The conversation began when X user @PhathekaPat posted a photo of a neatly packed exam kit featuring iced tea, highlighters, chips, crackers, and yes, a few chamomile tea bags. Another user, @AdvKindness, reshared the image with a cheeky caption: “Chamomile tea for an exam care pack? The way I’d sleep on that study desk and even miss that exam!”
That post exploded online, pulling thousands of reactions. Some users found the idea hilarious, claiming chamomile is better suited for bedtime than study time. One person joked, “I’m already sleepy just looking at that picture.” Another recalled a late-night cram session gone wrong, saying the tea knocked them out cold hours before their deadline.
But others came rushing to Chamomile’s defence. “It’s perfect for calming down after studying,” wrote one user. Another added, “It helped me manage panic before my matric exams.”
Even @PhathekaPat, the original poster, joined the discussion, encouraging sceptics to do their homework: “Try it in your next exam or read up on the benefits. Long days of studying can be stressful it helps calm you down and reduces anxiety.”
What the Experts Say
Health professionals seem to agree that both sides have a point. Chamomile tea contains a natural compound called apigenin, which is known to promote relaxation, ease anxiety, and support better sleep.
According to registered dietitian Mbali Mapholi, chamomile can be a smart addition to an exam care pack, as long as it’s used at the right time. “It’s great for stress relief during exam periods,” she explained, recommending that students drink it about an hour before bed, not while studying.
The key, she says, is moderation: steep for about five to seven minutes, skip the sugar, and avoid drinking it when you still need to stay focused.
Chamomile tea for an exam care pack??? https://t.co/b0tSA9rTzy
— insizwa nsi (@AdvKindness) October 20, 2025
A Lesson Beyond the Tea
Beyond the laughs and memes, the chamomile debate has become something more than a quirky social media moment. It’s a reminder of how South Africans rally around each other during stressful times, and how small gestures, like a cup of tea or a box of snacks, can bring comfort in chaos.
The care pack trend has grown into a symbol of community care and encouragement. Whether you’re pro-chamomile or firmly in the “keep me awake” camp, there’s no denying the love behind every carefully packed item.
So maybe the lesson here is simple: if it helps you rest, drink up. Just maybe not right before your exam.
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Source: IOL
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