Pregnant women are often advised to be cautious with herbal teas because there is limited research on the safety of many herbs during pregnancy. Natural products are not automatically safe, and some herbal preparations can interact with medicines or contain ingredients that have not been adequately studied in pregnant women.
Health authorities do not classify only four herbal teas as universally safe during pregnancy. Guidance varies by herb, amount consumed and the form of the product. The safest approach is to check the ingredients and discuss regular use of herbal products with a doctor, midwife or pharmacist.
Is hibiscus tea safe during pregnancy?
There is not enough high-quality evidence to establish that hibiscus tea is safe during pregnancy.
Hibiscus, also known as Hibiscus sabdariffa or roselle, has been studied for possible effects on blood pressure and other health outcomes. But pregnancy-specific safety data are limited. Concerns about hormonal or reproductive effects have largely come from laboratory and animal research rather than established evidence of harm in pregnant women.
Because of that uncertainty, some medical and health sources advise pregnant women to avoid hibiscus or discuss its use with a health professional rather than treating it as a routinely safe drink.
The claim that hibiscus is proven to stimulate menstruation or cause miscarriage in pregnant women is stronger than the available human evidence supports.
Which herbal teas require caution?
Ginger and peppermint are among the herbal teas for which there is more pregnancy-related information.
Ginger may help reduce nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy. Research reviewed by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health suggests ginger may be useful for pregnancy-related nausea, although pregnant women considering ginger supplements are advised to discuss them with a health care provider.
Peppermint tea is also commonly used during pregnancy. Australia’s Pregnancy, Birth and Baby service says studies have not shown peppermint tea to harm the mother or baby, while cautioning against very large amounts. The long-term safety of consuming large quantities of peppermint leaf is less certain.
Raspberry leaf is sometimes consumed during the later stages of pregnancy in the belief that it may prepare the body for labor. However, Pregnancy, Birth and Baby says studies have not demonstrated that it helps with labor or birth.
Other herbs require individual consideration because pregnancy safety data are limited. Herbal products may also contain several ingredients, making it important to check the product label rather than assuming a tea is safe because it is marketed as natural.
What about green tea?
Green tea is different from most herbal teas because it naturally contains caffeine.
The NHS recommends that pregnant women consume no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine a day. A typical cup of tea contains about 75 milligrams, although the amount varies by preparation. Excessive caffeine intake during pregnancy has been associated with an increased risk of complications, including miscarriage and stillbirth.
The total caffeine from tea, coffee, chocolate, cola, energy drinks and other sources should therefore be considered together.
Can ginger tea be used for morning sickness?
Ginger has been studied for pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting and may provide some relief. The available evidence does not show that ginger increases the chance of miscarriage or stillbirth, although research on ginger products during pregnancy is not identical to research on ordinary ginger tea.
Ginger can cause side effects such as heartburn, stomach discomfort and diarrhea in some people. It can also interact with certain medicines, which is another reason pregnant women taking medication should discuss regular or concentrated use with a health professional.
There is no reliable basis in the supplied material for recommending a specific daily amount of four cups of ginger tea to every pregnant woman.
Is turmeric safe during pregnancy?
Turmeric used as a normal food spice is different from concentrated turmeric supplements or medicinal doses.
Pregnant women should not assume that because a spice is safe in food, concentrated supplements containing the same ingredient are also safe. Evidence for many herbal supplements in pregnancy is limited, and health authorities recommend discussing such products with a health professional.
Which fruits should be avoided during pregnancy?
Most fruits are safe during pregnancy when they are properly washed and handled. The claim that pregnant women should routinely avoid papaya, pineapple or grapes is not supported by the general pregnancy food-safety guidance reviewed for this article. The NHS says most fruits and vegetables are safe during pregnancy and recommends washing them thoroughly.
Pineapple, for example, should not be described as unsafe because enzymes in the fruit supposedly alter the cervix and trigger premature contractions. That claim is not established by the evidence cited in the supplied material.
Similarly, there is no general recommendation to stop eating grapes during the final three months of pregnancy.
The more important concern with fresh fruit is food hygiene. Fruit and vegetables should be washed thoroughly to reduce exposure to bacteria and other contaminants.
Is beetroot good during pregnancy?
Beetroot can form part of a balanced pregnancy diet. However, describing it as something pregnant women should consume “in excess” is not appropriate.
Pregnancy nutrition is generally about a varied diet rather than consuming large amounts of one particular food. Fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains and appropriate sources of protein and other nutrients can all contribute to a healthy diet.
What foods should pregnant women avoid?
Food safety is particularly important during pregnancy because some infections can cause serious complications.
The NHS advises pregnant women to take precautions with foods that can carry harmful bacteria or parasites, including some raw or undercooked foods. Certain ready-to-eat foods can also carry Listeria, a bacterium that can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or serious illness in newborns.
Pregnant women should therefore follow local medical and food-safety guidance on foods such as undercooked meat and seafood, unpasteurized products and other foods that carry an increased risk of infection.
The key point about herbal products
The main issue with herbal tea during pregnancy is not that every herbal tea is dangerous. It is that many products have not been adequately studied in pregnant women.
The amount and concentration of an herb can also vary between teas, extracts, supplements and homemade preparations. Some products may contain several herbs or ingredients that are not immediately obvious from the product’s marketing.
For that reason, pregnant women should not assume that a product is safe simply because it is labeled natural. Anyone considering regular herbal tea, concentrated herbal products or supplements during pregnancy should check the ingredients and seek advice from a qualified health professional.
