Is It Safe To Drink Herbal Tea While Pregnant?

Many women prefer to drink herbal tea while pregnant to offer some relief for pregnancy symptoms or while they are breastfeeding. Certain herbal teas are safe during pregnancy and nursing, however, you should restrict your intake to one or two cups per day. Always check with your physician first before including anything new into your diet.

***Disclosure -The links in this post may contain affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link.***

Is it Safe to Drink Herbal Tea While Pregnant or Nursing?

Most herbal teas are made with natural ingredients, however ,this doesn’t necessarily mean that all of them are safe. The quantities and substances they contain might differ, plus they might have ingredients that are not listed. Anything that you eat or drink during pregnancy and breastfeeding can be passed on to your baby and it might even interfere with certain medications that you are taking.

Not enough scientific proof exists about herbal teas to deem them completely safe during pregnancy, therefore you need to use them cautiously. Most commercial varieties of herbal teas during pregnancy are presumed to be safe if taken in restricted amounts. Herbal teas that are generally not safe are the ones that contain large amounts of herbs. It is always smart to check with your midwife or doctor before opting for any natural therapies, including herbal teas.

What Are Herbal Teas?

Herbal Teas are generally made from flowers, roots, seeds, berries, and leaves from plants and unlike black tea, they do not contain any caffeine. They are usually available at health stores or grocery stores.

Some teas are taken for soothing an upset stomach, to calm down anxiety symptoms, to help you sleep, or to prepare the uterus for labour. Certain teas are made in particular for pregnancy and are thought to assist with complications like pre-eclampsia.

How Much Herbal Tea is Safe During Pregnancy and Nursing?

It is best to stick to just one or two cups per day. But keep in mind that not all teas are created equal and to limit the number of substances your baby might be exposed to, try to mix things up. Maybe drink different types of teas on different days, and avoid drinking herbal teas throughout your pregnancy.

When nursing, keep an eye on your little one for any adverse side effects after drinking herbal tea. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, speak to your doctor and stop taking it.

Best Herbal Teas During Pregnancy and Nursing

As a general rule of thumb, try to stick to herbal teas that are made from herbs and fruits that you would use for cooking. Never make your own herbal tea from unknown plants that you’ve collected. Excessive amounts of certain herbs could begin contractions and amplify the risk of premature labour. It could also have an adverse affect on your baby. These herbal teas are considered to be relatively safe during pregnancy and nursing when taken in moderation.

• Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

Some pregnant women drink this tea during the third trimester to help their bodies prepare for birth. Raspberry leaf tea is thought of to be moderately safe during pregnancy, however, it could stimulate contractions, therefore, try not to drink it during your first trimester.

• Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea is one of the most regularly taken herbal teas during pregnancy. Studies have revealed that it is not harmful for mothers or babies, however, consumption during the first trimester must be restricted because it can promote menstruation.

• Chamomile Tea

You might have asked yourself the question before: Is Chamomile Tea Safe During Pregnancy? You can drink a cup of chamomile tea before bedtime to help you relax, but again, you should not drink large quantities since it might cause circulation issues in your baby or stimulate your uterus.

• Green Tea

Green tea is a completely natural herbal tea, however, it does contain caffeine, therefore you should restrict your intake during pregnancy and nursing.

• Ginger Tea

Ginger is a well-known herb for relieving nausea symptoms and ginger tea is relatively safe when taken in moderation during nursing and pregnancy.

Which Herbal Teas Should You Avoid During Pregnancy and Nursing?

• Sage Tea

You can use sage for cooking, however it should not be used in concentrated forms, for instance, in tea. It has been linked to high blood pressure and miscarriage during pregnancy.

• Parsley Tea

Steer clear from parsley tea when you are expecting. When consumed in large quantities, it might amplify the risk of miscarriage or interfere with your baby’s development.

Conclusion

We hope you have found this post about whether it is safe to drink herbal teas while pregnant. Remember, whenever you are unsure about any foods or drinks during pregnancy or nursing, it is best to avoid them all together, unless you have spoken to your doctor first.