Not all herbal teas are safe when you’re pregnant, but many are A-OK! So, what’s the skinny on tea during pregnancy?
When I was in my first trimester, I had just settled in with a nice cup of chamomile tea for my new favorite pastime: reading all about pregnancy! After ten or 15 minutes of idle googling, I ran across a forum posts (I can’t remember where it was now) where a group of women were saying that some herbal teas weren’t safe during pregnancy!
What!
I knew that you’re supposed to limit caffeine intake to 200-300mg per day (about 1 cup of coffee), but what could possibly be wrong with herbal tea?? I spit my chamomile back into the mug and spent the evening worried that I’d harmed my baby by drinking tea during my pregnancy.
It’s been about four months since that scary moment. Since then, I’ve talked to my doctor and done a lot of research on what teas are and aren’t safe during pregnancy. It turns out that in general, drinking tea during pregnancy is pretty safe.
There are thousands of teas out there, so if your favorite tea isn’t on this list, drop a comment and I’ll see what I can find out for you!Just like withexercise and pregnancy, you can also talk to your doctor. Not all conventional doctors will know about different teas and how they can affect pregnancy, but it’s worth asking!
Safe Teas for Pregnancy
Herbal tea in moderation is fine in pregnancy, but don’t overdo it! Stick to one mug a day to be on the safe side, maybe two mugs, if you space them out throughout the day.
Raspberry Leaf
Not only is this tea safe, but it has all kinds of micronutrients that are great for your growing baby!
Black or Green Tea
These teas (on their own) are not herbal, so they are safe to consume. Just watch that caffeine intake! Some caffeine is OK, but you don’t want more than 300mg per day. Some research suggests you limit to 200mg per day. Black and green teasare very low in caffeinecompared to coffee, so making the switch can be an easy way to stay below these limits.
Ginger
Don’t overdo it on the ginger tea, but the occasional mug is fine, and it can even help with that first-trimester nausea!
Peppermint Leaf
Peppermint can also help with nausea.
Rooibos
Full of antioxidants, this tea is great during pregnancy
Lemon Balm
这可以帮助缓解一些怀孕焦虑。
Fennel Tea
Fennel tea is safe only in small amounts, so if you’re going to drink fennel stick to a tea blend where it’s not the main event. Small doses of fennel tea during pregnancy can help with swelling.
Citrus Tea
Teas made from citrus peels are safe during pregnancy. One exception is lemongrass, which is not safe. Lemongrass is not made from a citrus peel, but since the name makes it sound like it could be, I thought it was worth mentioning here.
Teas To Avoid During Pregnancy
These teas can stimulate the uterus, causing contractions or otherwise possibly harm your growing baby. Again, this isn’t a comprehensive list. If there’s a tea that’s not on this list, ask away, and I’ll see what I can dig up for you!
Chamomile
原来把甘菊吐出来是个好主意。While small amounts might be OK, chamomile is a strong anti-inflammatory, and you shouldavoid chamomile during pregnancyfor the same reasons your doctor tells you not to take aspirin.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus teamay be linked to miscarriage. This is not well-tested, but better to err on the side of caution!
Ma Huang
This is a powerful stimulant and not good for your baby.
Stinging Nettle Leaf
刺荨麻茶的诀窍是,适量的根部是可以的,但叶子在怀孕期间是不安全的。If your pregnancy tea just says “stinging nettle” in the ingredients, you might want to check that it’s the root and not the leaves before you drink up
Black and Blue Cohosh
These are actually sometimes used to induce labor, so avoid, avoid, avoid!
Don Quai
另一种需要避免的强兴奋剂。
Lemongrass
Considered unsafe during pregnancy.
Ephedra
A powerful stimulant. Seeing a trend here?
Ginseng
Another stimulant that’s not so great for you or your baby during pregnancy.
Licorice Root
Experts say to avoid licorice tea during pregnancy.
penny royal
This herb is actually sometimes used to intentionally induce miscarriage. Avoid!!
St. John’s Wort
This is a powerful medicinal and you should not take it during pregnancy.
Yarrow
Another tea that’s linked to miscarriages.
你可能已经注意到了这个禁忌清单上的一些食物,比如柠檬草和甘草。这是否意味着你应该不吃含有这些成分的食物?Not necessarily! Teas are much more concentrated than the amount of lemongrass in that cup of tom kha soup or licorice in candy. Talk to your doctor, but eating these in food form is different from drinking them as teas.
Image Credit:Tea & Pregnancyphoto via Shutterstock
kate griersonsays
我的助产士告诉我,说唱歌手叶茶在怀孕结束前不应该使用。它可以被发现是有益的,但影响可能会导致后来的并发症。这是真的吗?
Becky Striepesays
I would definitely follow any recommendations from your midwife, since everyone’s body is different. If you’re asking about raspberry leaf tea, I will say that I drank it throughout my pregnancy but stuck to one mug a day max. My son was three weeks early (6 pounds and healthy), but my sister and I also came out early, so I can’t say for sure that the tea was the culprit there.
Katsays
What’s wrong with nettle during pregnancy?
Garimasays
Is typhoo fruit infusion safe in 2nd trimester ?
Thanks
LLRsays
I just purchased a Celestial Organics Ginger and Turmeric Tea hoping for some nausea relief. The only three ingredients are ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric. I read that turmeric pills are unsafe during pregnancy, but that the spice is alright. Would the tea be safe?
Esays
It’s strange that some herbs you recommend are contraindicated by numerous sources & some you say are not safe (like nettle root, but nettle leaf is okay) are stated to be safe by numerous sources. Also caffeine intereferes with vitamin absorption & actually depletes vitamins & minerals.
Alexis Myerssays
bigaloe柠檬姜茶可以吗??!
Carolinesays
Hi hi How about Korean yuzu citron tea? Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Lea ssays
Hi! Was wondering if lemon loaf Tazo tea was ok? ?
Wren Everettsays
Hey, Lea! I looked up the ingredients, and saw both licorice and chamomile. Those herbs have been counterindicated in pregnancy, but honestly, in such small amounts as they are in that tea blend, I’d imagine the vaguely-notated “natural flavors” are probably a bigger issue than they are. Many herbs that are on the warning lists are there because of their effect in concentrated medicinal form, not food-level form. Just don’t over do it, and I’m sure you’d be fine! I’m no expert…just from one tea-drinking momma to another!
Lisa Bratchersays
Hi there. Is Lemon Myrtle ok? I have an herbal tea blend with that in it.
Briannasays
Hi! I just picked up some STASH lemon ginger tea from the store, but when I got home I realized it has lemongrass and hibiscus in it! Do you think it’s ok to drink this tea since it’s a blend rather than just lemongrass or hibiscus tea? Haha does my question make sense?