Food, drugs and supplements consumed by a pregnant woman can have significant effects on the health of a developing fetus. Herbal teas are commonly consumed during pregnancy to help ease morning sickness. However, drinking herbal tea during pregnancy should be done with caution and only after talking with a health-care provider.
Herbs and Pregnancy
Herbal teas are made with herbs such as ginger root, ginseng, echinacea, lemon balm, peppermint and red raspberry leaves. Companies that sell herbal supplements advertise many claims about benefits during pregnancy. However, the March of Dimes does not support pregnant women taking any dietary or herbal supplement without consulting with a health-care provider. Supplements containing herbs have not undergone extensive testing and have not been proven safe and effective.
Non-herbal Teas
Non-herbal teas include black tea, green tea and oolong teas and typically contain varying amounts of caffeine. The American Pregnancy Association suggests pregnant women avoid or limit caffeine since it crosses the placenta, reaching the fetus. Even decaffeinated non-herbal teas may contain small amounts of caffeine. The March of Dimes recommends that pregnant women consume no more than 200mg of caffeine per day, which is equivalent to about one 12 oz. cup of coffee.
Herbal Teas
Herbal teas are made from various herbs found in different parts of plants such as roots, leaves, flowers and seeds. Herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free, but beware of false or misleading food labels. The American Pregnancy Association states that the safety of herbal teas during pregnancy is controversial, and there is a lack of evidence available on how herbs affect a developing fetus.
Herbal Teas that May be Safe
According to the American Pregnancy Association, there are some herbs found in herbal teas that may be safe during pregnancy based on information from the Natural Medicines Database. These herbs include red raspberry leaves, peppermint leaves and lemon balm. Ginger root, commonly used to relieve morning sickness, is listed as possibly safe. However, it's important to speak with a health-care provider before consuming any type of tea while pregnant.
Ways to Prepare Safe Teas
If you're pregnant, making your own tea can help ensure it doesn't contain caffeine or potentially harmful herbs. To create homemade tea, fruits such as lemons, pears, apples or oranges can be added to boiling water or decaffeinated tea, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Other ingredients that may be safe to add are cinnamon and mint leaves.
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