Chamomile tea is a popular herbal beverage known for its calming properties that have been enjoyed by people all over the world for centuries. This tea has many potential health benefits, and many pregnant women are interested in drinking it during their pregnancy. However, it’s important to note that chamomile tea can contain certain compounds that could be dangerous to pregnant women, so it’s important to be aware of the potential risks and benefits of drinking this beverage while pregnant. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the potential risks and benefits of drinking chamomile tea while pregnant, as well as provide some guidelines on how to safely incorporate chamomile tea into your diet. We’ll also provide an overview of the potential side effects, which should be considered when making a decision about whether or not to drink chamomile tea while pregnant. By the end of this blog post, you’ll have a better understanding of whether or
Is Chamomile Tea Safe During Pregnancy?
The amount of chamomile that is typically used in tea has not been sufficiently studied to determine whether it is safe to consume during pregnancy or while nursing. Some medical professionals advise against consuming chamomile internally but believe topical application to the skin is safe. Â.
Chamomile absolutely should not be used in large or medicinal amounts during pregnancy without first discussing its use with your doctor as it has been linked to both miscarriage and premature labor.
Chamomile can have negative effects, especially in people who are allergic to ragweed or other Asteraceae family members. Depending on how the chamomile was consumed, these reactions can include:
It may also be dangerous to combine chamomile with other medications you may be taking, such as:
Chamomile tea is made by soaking dried chamomile flowers in hot water. The potency of the tea depends on the manufacturer and how long the tea is steeped. Chamomile contains flavonoids—naturally occurring plant pigments that are present in many nutritious fruits and veggies. Foods with flavonoids have a host of health benefits, including, according to promising research, the potential to reduce risk of heart disease, cancer and stroke.
Chamomile tea bags are sold at grocery stores, health food stores and drugstores across the country, and can also be purchased on Amazon. You can also make chamomile tea by soaking the dried flowers (also available online and at health food stores) directly in hot water.
Around the world, pregnant women prefer raspberry red leaf tea during the third trimester. According to a recent study published by Integrative Medicine, one-third of midwives in the United States advise raspberry red leaf tea to induce labor. Women who drank the tea were found to be 11% less likely than non-drinkers to need forceps during labor in a different study by the Holistic Nurses Association in New South Wales. Even the American Pregnancy Association endorses it, claiming that drinking the tea while pregnant is safe and can shorten labor and lessen the need for an assisted delivery or C-section. Before drinking raspberry red leaf tea, ask your doctor or midwife if it’s okay because for some women, it can cause contractions.
This is a tricky one. According to the opinions of the majority of obstetricians we surveyed, drinking chamomile tea is a personal choice that you should discuss with your physician. There is no absolute standard for whether chamomile is absolutely safe or absolutely dangerous. It’s best to err on the side of caution because there is so little research on the relationship between chamomile tea and pregnancy.
One of the trickiest topics to maneuver? Herbal tea. There isn’t a lot of information available about which herbal teas are safe to consume because the ingredients and strengths of herbal teas can vary depending on the manufacturer and because there haven’t been many herbal tea studies done on pregnant women. But if you’re unsure about whether it’s okay to continue drinking your nightly cup of chamomile, keep reading.
What Is Chamomile Tea?
German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) flowers are used to make chamomile tea. The flowers are crumbled after being sun-dried and then kept in an airtight jar.
The crumbled flowers are added to boiling water to make the tea, which has been a traditional medicine for inflammation, immunity, insomnia, menstruation and gastrointestinal problems. Since the tea is made of flowers, it has a beautiful aroma that soothes both the body and the mind (1).
FAQ
Is chamomile tea OK when pregnant?
Why can’t pregnant women drink chamomile tea?
Chamomile tea might not be safe to drink while pregnant because it could cause contractions that might lead to miscarriage or preterm birth. 3 “If you’re not pregnant, chamomile tea contains healthy antioxidants that may be health-promoting,” says Mitri.
How much chamomile can I drink while pregnant?
Which teas to avoid while pregnant?
Black, green, white, matcha, chai, and oolong teas are all sourced from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. They contain caffeine — a natural stimulant that should be limited during pregnancy.