Is It Safe to Eat Lavender During Pregnancy?
Although it is probably safe in small amounts, lavender has not been proven to have any negative effects on expectant mothers.
During the second and third trimester, lavender can decrease pain and swelling caused by fluid retention, as well as contribute to an overall sense of wellbeing (Source: JCS).
Generally speaking, it isn’t recommended to eat large amounts of lavender, but there are specific pregnancy treats that contain lavender that are safe to use, such as ‘preggy pops’, which can even be taken during the first trimester to help relieve nausea (Source: APO).
You can also find tiny amounts of culinary lavender (safe to consume in moderation) in:
To avoid consuming too many calories with your lavender, check the label for sugars as you would with any food.
Can I Drink Lavender Tea During Pregnancy?
There are 47 different species of lavender. However, the most common varieties of lavender you might find are:
English lavender. Lavandula angustifolia, also known as culinary lavender, is the ideal variety of lavender for all types of edibles.
Unlike other varieties of lavender, which can taste like camphor or soap, this variety has a sweet and floral flavor.
French lavender. This variety, also known as Lavandin or Lavandula X Intermedia, is not thought to be edible due to its potent scent.
It is unpleasant to eat because painters frequently use it as a less harmful substitute for turpentine.
The exception to French lavender is the variety known as Provence, which has a lower camphor content and is used in a variety of essential oils for cooking and beauty care as well as dried lavender products like sachets and neck pillows.
Lavender tea is usually made from English lavender or similar. Lavender tea on its own is considered safe to drink during pregnancy, as lavender is not one of the listed herbs to avoid while pregnant (Source: APA).
Although there are no studies on pregnancy and lavender to date, lavender tea is probably safe in food amounts in any trimester, but avoid any higher doses such as consuming lavender oil or supplements (source: WebMD).
It is best to stay away from any lavender teas that contain chamomile because chamomile is not thought to be safe to consume while pregnant.
The emmenagogue and abortifacient effects of chamomile have been demonstrated (source: Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology). In our guide, you can learn more about chamomile and pregnancy.
Before purchasing, look at the ingredients as many lavender teas on the market are marketed as sleep aids.
Some contain honey, others lemon, both of which are fine. Others have black tea, which has caffeine and is not advised to consume a lot of it while pregnant.
Good brands to consider are:
Easy to Get and Apply
Lavender oil preparations from different brands can be found in numerous stores nearby or even online. Making sure the oil is diluted and covering the appropriate areas of your body when applying it is all that is required. You can also add a few drops of the essential oil to the bath.