With so many things now off-limits to you, it is only natural to wonder if tea is going to be on that list. So many use it medicinally that you might be worried about drinking it while pregnant. Well, the good news is that tea during this time is generally going to be good for you. Better, it can help with a number of ailments. In this article, we intend to discuss some of these and give you a few tips on safe tea to drink that can help out during your pregnancy.
There are some exceptions and considerations
While generally two or three cups of just about any tea is going to be fine for drinking during your pregnancy for various ailments there are some exceptions and considerations, First, sage tea can raise your blood pressure, so this is a no-no. Another thing to consider is caffeine. Many teas have caffeine just like coffee and too much of this is not good for you or your baby, so get decaffeinated if you can or simply exercise moderation. In general, we do not recommend more than 2-3 cups of any tea per day just to be on the safe side. This is still enough to get the benefits and also a small enough amount that there needn’t be any worry. Other teas that are not recommended during pregnancy are as follows:
- Licorice root
- Ginseng
- Passion flower
Herbal tea to consider drinking during your pregnancy
Now that we have addressed some of the teas that you want to avoid, let’s go into some of the teas that you might want to consider. Tea is a great way to take advantage of natural remedies that are both baby-safe and effective. Some great herbal teas that you might consider:
- Chamomile – Great for relaxing, chamomile purportedly also has antibacterial properties and is good for your stomach and bowels. It is also high in magnesium and calcium, which is very important for you during your pregnancy. Try drinking chamomile tea during your pregnancy and you’ll see!
- Peppermint Tea – Drinking peppermint tea during your pregnancy is an excellent way to stave off nausea It is, however, recommended that you stop drinking it during the late portions of your pregnancy, as it can have a negative effect on milk production.
- Red Raspberry leaf – This tea has a number of great benefits that you can take advantage of. It increases milk production, ease labor pains, and it can help with nausea. If you have seen ‘pregnancy tea’ advertised, take a look at the ingredients and you will likely see red raspberry leaf as part of the ingredients. Now, that said, there is some contention as to whether or not it is safe to drink during your first trimester. As such, it is recommended that you reserve drinking this tea for your second and third trimesters only.
- Lemon balm – Like chamomile, lemon balm has a soothing effect that can help you to relax. It can also help with mood swings, turning that irritability down a notch or two. It also helps with anxiety as well!
- Rose hips – Not only does this boost the immune system, but it is a great source of vitamin C!
Are there any other teas to consider?
While the above teas are the ones that come with the most recommendations, there are certainly other teas that you can try in order to help to assist with any ailments naturally. A few other teas that you might consider:
- Yellow dock – This tea is sometimes used against anemia (a very real risk when you are pregnant). It is high in calcium, as well as vitamins A and C, but it should be noted that it may also act as a laxative as well. If you use this one, try limiting it to a cup a day just to be on the safe side.
” This tea is sometimes used against anemia.”
- Dandelion – Good for your liver, dandelion is also a source of iron as well as calcium and vitamin A. It is also said to be good for mild cases of edema, so keep dandelion in mind when you are building up your ‘pregnancy tea collection’.
- Alfalfa – This is high in vitamin K, which can assist with postpartum hemorrhage. Aside from this, it is also high in vitamins A, D, and E.
Just to stress it, no more than 2-3 cups per day!
While these teas are beneficial, too much can be a bad thing. Some studies have indicated that consuming mass quantities of tea during your pregnancy can interfere with the natural absorption of folic acid. This can lead to serious defects, such as spinal bifida, so just as with anything else powerful that you ingest, MODERATE.
Wait, so tea can be dangerous?
Anything with medicinal qualities can be dangerous in large amounts. Drinking teas during your pregnancy is safe as long as you stick to the 2-3 cups rule. If you are worried, double check with your doctor and let them know the specific teas that you are interested in drinking. Your physician will know what is best in general as well as for you in particular. It never hurts to ask!
Some final words
In this article we have discussed various teas that may be a boon to drink during your pregnancy. While the list is hardly exhaustive, it will give you an idea where to start. There are a number of teas that can be of great benefit to you right now and finding the best tea for you to drink during your pregnancy can be a delicious, stress relieving journey all on its own. As a general rule, just be sure to research anything that you are considering. Take advantage of Google or better yet, just ask your physician. After that, enjoy those benefits and by all means, we hope that you enjoy your tea!
