Herbal Tea While Pregnant: Which Teas Are Safe (and Which to Strictly Avoid)

During my pregnancies, I brewed a lot of mint tea. I figured it was a safe replacement for my typical coffee. Whether as a substitute for java or to soothe morning sickness or anxiety, herbal tea while pregnant is a common go-to.

But that doesn’t mean all herbal teas are safe during pregnancy. “Most people associate ‘herbal’ with ‘natural’ or ‘safe,’ but plants can contain chemicals that are potentially harmful,” explains Mary Mittell, CNM, medical director of midwifery at Providence Swedish in Seattle.

Some herbal products can interact with commonly prescribed medications or even increase the risks of miscarriage, preterm birth or injury to the fetus. Plus, like supplements and vitamins, herbal tea isn’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or tested for its effects on mother and baby. “Some contain compounds that can trigger uterine contractions or affect fetal development in ways we don’t fully understand,” says Matthew Casavant, DO, an ob-gyn in Clermont, Florida.

So, can you drink herbal tea while pregnant? And what herbal teas are safe during pregnancy? Learn the dos and don’ts from experts, ahead.

Key Takeaways

• Some herbal teas, such as ginger and peppermint, are safe for pregnancy and even have some benefits, such as helping with nausea.
• There are a few herbal teas to avoid during pregnancy, including black cohosh and blue cohosh, which could stimulate your uterus.
• It’s best to stick with one-ingredient teas from the “safe” list and check in with your healthcare provider if you have specific concerns.

The Best Herbal Teas in Pregnancy

If you’re looking for safe herbal teas while pregnant, there are quite a few options. “Herbal teas can be a safe and effective way to improve some common pregnancy discomforts and a good sugar- and caffeine-free option for hydration,” says Mittell.

“I kept my tea routine very simple during pregnancy,” shares Jenelle Kim, DACM, LAc, a master herbalist and Doctor of Traditional Oriental Medicine. While she was expecting, she opted for ginger tea in the morning to help with nausea, peppermint tea for digestion help after meals and “the occasional light black tea for something cozy.” She adds that hydration should always come first: “I love alternating between water, sparkling water and a calming herbal tea.”

The following herbal tea varieties are considered safe for pregnancy:

• Fruit infusions or citrus peel: Look for products with fruit only, like citrus peel. Try DIYing by steeping fruit (such as pineapple or apple) and zest from organic lemons or oranges in boiling water for several minutes, then straining. Ella Fedonenko, MD, a medical director and dermatologist who previously worked in internal medicine, recommends hot water with lemon and honey. “It calms the stomach and aids in keeping one hydrated,” she says.
• Lemon balm: This citrusy tea could help relieve anxiety and insomnia.
• Rosehip: This vitamin C-rich tea might help bolster your immune system.
• Ginger: “I often recommend ginger tea to decrease morning sickness and nausea at the beginning of pregnancy,” says Mittell.
• Peppermint: This refreshing tea could also help quell nausea. But be aware some research has linked it to uterine contractions.

Herbal Teas to Avoid During Pregnancy

Not all herbal teas are made equal. “A pregnant woman’s body responds to…various herbal ingredients in different ways than it would if she weren’t pregnant,” says David Ghozland, MD, an ob-gyn and medical director of a private practice in Southern California. “What may feel like a small source of comfort could impact her blood flow, hydration levels and overall hormonal balance.” Play it safe by staying away from teas with ingredients you don’t recognize, as well as the following herbal teas to avoid during pregnancy:

• Blue cohosh, black cohosh, pennyroyal, yarrow, mugwort, chamomile, licorice root, angelica, dong quai, ephedra (ma huang) and ginseng, ginkgo biloba: These herbs could adversely affect your pregnancy, for instance, by stimulating your uterus, increasing blood pressure, affecting hormone levels or even inducing labor. “I had a patient who drank chamomile every day to relieve nausea and fainted due to her blood pressure getting too low,” says Fedonenko.
• Licorice root has been linked to higher blood pressure and early delivery when used in large amounts, says Kim.
• Mwanamphepo: These African herbal medicines made with plants in the cissus/vitaceae family have been tied to fatal outcomes for mother and baby.
• Senna: This herbal laxative could lead to dehydration.
• Nettles (stinging nettles): Although commonly included in pregnancy teas and used to treat anemia, this brew could affect hormones and possibly even cause miscarriage.
• Fennel: This tea might lessen the effectiveness of certain drugs or harm fetal cells.
• Medicinal-strength loose blends, multi-herb teas and teas marketed as detox or fat-burning: These products can be concentrated and tend to not have clear labeling, says Kim.

Is red raspberry leaf tea safe in pregnancy?

“Red raspberry leaf tea has long been used as a ‘uterine tonic’ in the hopes of promoting a faster and less painful labor,” explains Mittell. That’s why it’s best to wait until late in your pregnancy to try it. “Consuming raspberry leaf tea before the end of pregnancy can cause premature contractions,” adds Ghozland.

To Sum It Up

Herbal tea is a mixed bag (pun intended). Because there’s no way to read the tea leaves and know definitively if and how various brews could affect you and baby, it’s best to play it safe. To stay out of hot water, choose varieties from the “safer” list and drink them in moderation. Always “read ingredient labels and bring labels with you when you have concerns about an herbal remedy,” says Ghozland.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.