Any tea, herbal or otherwise, that strongly stimulates the movement of the digestive tract or the uterus should be avoided.  This could increase the risk of miscarriage.

This would include teas such as:  Sage, Liquorice, Ginseng, Dong Quai, Black and Blue Cohosh, St Johns Wort, Yarrow, Pennyroyal, Parsley, laxative tea formulas, detox tea formulas.

Care should also be taken with overly spiced teas with lots of cinnamon and anise for the same reason.

Happily, tea has numerous health benefits in pregnancy - you just need to choose the right ones and to drink no more than 1-3 cups a day.  Vary the teas you drink, so you are not drinking the same thing every day.

The Flavonoids in tea are responsible for many of these health benefits.  For example, Green Tea.  However, because of its caffeine content, it needs to be limited to 1-3 cups a day or even less, if you are having another source of caffeine.  Always be careful to limit your caffeine intake. 

This is where herbal teas shine.  Caffeine free - there are herbal teas that nourish and calm the nervous system, which is super important for your baby’s developing nervous system, herbal teas that help settle nausea and later in your pregnancy, herbal teas that help the uterus prepare for birth. 

Because these teas are made as an infusion in water, they contain the lowest concentration of compounds and are a safe option to use while pregnant.  And they taste so good.

These herbal teas are commonly used during pregnancy and are considered safe at the recommended dose of no more than 1-3 cups a day: 

• Spearmint: relieves indigestion, nausea, calming and anti-spasmodic, some women find this better than Peppermint in pregnancy.
• Peppermint:  similar to Spearmint in its action but a little stronger.  Occasionally can triggger a bit of reflux in some people.
• Chamomile:  calming to both the nervous system and the stomach.
• Ginger:  calms and eases nausea and morning sickness.
• Lemon Balm:  calming and anti-spasmodic.
• Rooibus Tea:  rich in antioxidants.
• Dandelion Leaf:  later in pregnancy for fluid retention.
• Raspberry Leaf:  from the second trimester - long traditional use in preparing the uterus for birth.
• Herbal teas such as Rosehip, Nettle, Oatstraw and Alfalfa are traditionally nourishing and supportive and work well blended with any of the above herbal teas.

Our Pregnancy Tea has been specifically formulated to be safe from 32 weeks. We have blended Raspberry leaf with additional beneficial herbs to help promote calm, relaxation and sleep in 3rd Trimester. 

References:  Mediherb.  David Hoffman:  The New Holistic Herbal

Written By : Amanda Hunter ND

Naturopath/Medical Herbalist

Microbiome Analysis

e:  amandahunternd@hotmail.com

ATMS Accreditation No. 12905