Can I Drink Herbal Tea While Pregnant? Drinking herbal teas while pregnant can have a wide variety of effects on your body and child. The potential pros and cons of drinking herbal tea depend on the type you are drinking. Some are more dangerous than others, especially when you are pregnant. If you’re looking for an easy way to add more antioxidants to your diet, then drinking herbal teas while pregnant might be a good idea. Green tea in particular has lots of antioxidants and is believed by many to have health benefits. Drinking green or black tea while pregnant, however, may not be such a great idea after all. Let us take a closer look at whether you can drink herbal tea while pregnant, what the risks are, and which herbs are safe (and unsafe) during pregnancy.
What are herbal teas?
Herbal teas are beverages made from steeping herbs in hot water. You can buy them at any grocery store or health food store and drink them as a beverage like you would a cup of coffee or a glass of orange juice. You can drink them hot or cold. Herbal teas are often used for medicinal and/or health purposes, such as improving digestive health, treating colds and allergies, and soothing headaches. Many herbal teas are also high in antioxidants, so they can help prevent certain diseases like heart disease and certain types of cancers. There are many different types of herbal teas. The main ones are black, green, and oolong teas and herbal blends. You can also use herbs in place of something you would normally drink such as coffee or tea. Herbal teas contain little to no caffeine, so it’s a good option for pregnant women who want to limit caffeine intake.
Can you drink herbal tea while pregnant?
Most herbal teas are safe to drink while pregnant, but some may have negative effects on your child. Like everything else you put in your mouth while pregnant, you should be careful and do your research. Herbal teas that are safe to drink while pregnant include peppermint, chamomile, basil, rosemary, sage, oregano, and thyme. Herbal teas that may be unsafe to drink while pregnant include sweet grass, parsley, fennel, and dandelion. Herbal teas that are most likely unsafe to drink while pregnant include black, oolong, green, and yerba mate teas.
Pros of Drinking Herbal Tea While Pregnant
The benefits of drinking herbal teas include: – Getting antioxidants: Herbal teas are high in antioxidants and can help prevent diseases such as heart disease and certain types of cancers. – Getting your daily water intake: It’s recommended that you consume about 2 liters of water each day. Drinking herbal teas can help you reach this goal. – Getting fibre: Some herbal teas have lots of dietary fibre in them. Adding more fibre to your diet while pregnant can help prevent certain diseases such as diabetes. – Getting additional vitamins and minerals: Some herbal teas contain vitamins and minerals that can be beneficial while pregnant.
Cons of Drinking Herbal Tea While Pregnant
There are also some potential disadvantages of drinking herbal teas while pregnant, such as: – It can be hard to know what’s in each tea: Many herbal teas list their ingredients on the label, but some don’t. It can be hard to know what each one contains and what effects they may have on your body and child. – Herbal teas may have caffeine: Some herbal teas contain caffeine, which is not safe to consume while pregnant. – Some herbs are unsafe: Some herbs are unsafe to consume while pregnant, such as yerba mate and sweet grass. – Some herbs are expensive: Some herbal teas can be expensive, especially if you buy them at a high-end store. – Herbal teas are not regulated: Like supplements, herbal teas are not regulated. This can make them unsafe. So, you should always do your research and be careful.
Which Herbs are Safe to Drink While Pregnant?
– Peppermint: Peppermint has lots of antioxidants, is safe to consume while pregnant, and can help ease nausea and indigestion. – Chamomile: Chamomile is high in antioxidants and can help with digestive issues and insomnia. – Basil: Basil is high in vitamins A and K, which are good for pregnant women. – Rosemary: Rosemary can help ease headaches and ease indigestion. – Sage: Sage can help with nausea and indigestion like peppermint. – Oregano: Oregano is high in vitamins A and C and can help ease indigestion and headaches. – Thyme: Thyme is high in vitamins A and C and can help with nausea and indigestion.
Which Herbs Should You Avoid While Pregnant?
– Sweet grass: Sweet grass is not safe to consume while pregnant because it can cause uterine contractions. – Fennel: Fennel can cause uterine contractions, so it is not safe to consume while pregnant. – Dandelion: Dandelion is not safe to consume while pregnant because it can cause uterine contractions and is a diuretic. – Yerba mate: Yerba mate is not safe to consume while pregnant because it can cause uterine contractions.
Final Words
The point of this article is to inform you that herbal teas can be beneficial or harmful to your health and your baby’s health. Make sure you do your research on each type and read the ingredients on the label to know exactly what you are consuming and what effects it will have on your body. Even if you’re not sure the benefits of herbal tea outweigh the risks, the great thing is you can always switch to other types of beverages. When you’re pregnant, it’s best to play it safe to avoid any risks.